The Philadelphian

Built in 1963 on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in the Fairmount neighborhood, The Philadelphian consists of three contiguous 20-story residential towers. A comprehensive architecture project combined significant repairs with renovations that updated the building’s major public spaces for the 21^st century.

CBP Architects addressed design challenges while maintaining the building’s architectural integrity, gently inserting new amenities. The renovation design reimagined and opened the main porte-cochere entry as a gracious portal, updated the lobby and adjacent lounges, and redesigned the Fairmount Terrace to create a lushly landscaped plaza that is inviting for both residents and visitors to the building’s restaurant and other retail spaces. The design retained the lobby’s soaring ceilings and grand scale, while improving building security, and updated aesthetics and functionality, including the addition of a secure storage room for resident packages. Materials such as travertine floors and limestone wall and column cladding were preserved. The entry fountain was completely redesigned and reclad in stone with new lighting and water flow for a contemporary aesthetic. Custom artisan plasterwork and new lighting fixtures contributed to the refreshed, timeless appearance. The project greatly improved the major common spaces within the complex, ensuring its responsiveness to the needs of modern residents.