Wanamaker, John, Store
Why it's listed
Occupying the full block between Market, Chestnut, Juniper and Thirteenth Streets in Philadelphia, this twelve-story steel-frame store was designed by Daniel H. Burnham and built in three stages between 1902 and 1910 by Thompson, Starrett and Company. Its facades use limestone and granite, with fluted pilasters and a Renaissance base, body and top arrangement. The interior is noted for the Grand Court, which seats 14,000 people and holds the Wanamaker Organ, the world's largest pipe organ, which was bought at the 1904 St. Louis fair and installed in 1911. The eighth floor retains John Wanamaker's office largely as he left it, and the Grand Crystal Tea Room, opened in 1911, was once the largest dining room in Philadelphia. The building is tied to Wanamaker's pioneering advertising and merchandising, and its interior remains largely unaltered.
Significance in brief: The building is the oldest and most significant surviving commercial building associated with John Wanamaker, and it stands on the ground of his first department store. Its interior, including the Grand Court, the eighth-floor office, and the Grand Crystal Tea Room, remains largely unaltered. The nomination also emphasizes the store's Wanamaker Organ, the world's largest pipe organ, and Wanamaker's role as an advertising and retailing pioneer.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 78002459, listed June 2, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Juniper and Market Sts., Philadelphia |
|---|---|
| County | Philadelphia |
| Listed | June 2, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78002459 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1875-present |
| Architect / builder | Daniel H. Burnham (architect); Thompson, Starrett Co. (builder) |
| Architectural style | Commercial style |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Performing Arts |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated June 2, 1978 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Restored and maintained; in use as a store with restoration of original features under way. |
| Acreage | 2.3 |
| Within district | East Center City Commercial Historic District |
| Coordinates | 39.95139, -75.16215 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 78002459.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q3503499
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.