The PNB Building at One South Broad Street in Center City was originally built as a massive addition to the Wanamaker’s at 1300 Market Street, just to the west of the department store. The building was originally called the Lincoln-Liberty Building, though today the structure is known as One South Broad. The 465,000-square-foot building stands 28 stories tall and rises to a height of 478 feet. The tower was designed by John Torrey Windrim, who also designed the Franklin Institute, which was completed in 1934. The building features a wide profile from the east and west and a setbacked crown that steps up to a bell tower that holds the 17-ton Founder’s Bell. The tower’ cornerstone was placed on October 1, 1931, shortly before the nearby Wanamaker Men’s Store opened over a week later on October 12, 1932.
Lincoln-Liberty Building rendering. Image via John Torrey Windrim
Philadelphia National Bank purchased the building for $8.75 million in 1952, and the bank opened on January 16, 1956. The bank erected their logos at the top of the crown, with four sets of 16-foot high signs spelling PNB. The next day, the lights on the signs were turned on, equipped with weather indicators that would light up white and red.
PNB Building crown with signs. Photo by Bradley Maule
Over time, the building went through many different owners and numerous renovations were made, which include the removal of the PNB signs on November 16, 2014. Since the signs were situated within a tight space, the signs were airlifted by a helicopter. Though the building no longer features the logos, it still stands out in the skyline with an impressive height and a restrained Art Deco design.
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I like the PNB building’s art deco style and it even looks more handsome after the PNB lettering was removed.
And one of the biggest (heaviest) bells in North America.
http://www.towerbells.org/data/NAOtherGreatBells.html
Is the bell still working?
This building is iconic, but needs a renovation on the outside. Since the PNB letters were removed, the top looks unfinished and needs some updating. Also, the entire building needs a good power washing.
Remains one of my favorite CC skyscrapers. Removal of the PNB logos revealed the original pyramidal crown—-very handsome.
Bell tower on top of the PNB building, Philadelphia National Bank. I spent a whole year refurbishing the PNB letters that were 15 feet high. We had to climb around the bell 85 feet to get to the copper roof to work on the stainless metal letters at least twice a day. We worked thru all types of weather with safety belts & safety lines .
Visibility on a very clear day was
Amazing how far you could see
Letters were taken down a few years ago by helicopter 🚁
Well done Dad !! Lou Soreth’s proud daughter