Taking a Look At The Drake at 1512 Spruce Street in Rittenhouse Square, Center City

The Drake. Photo via Murphy, Quigley CompanyThe Drake. Photo via Murphy, Quigley Company

While Philadelphia did not build massive art deco skyscrapers in the 1920s, there still were buildings that were constructed with fantastic designs in Center City such as The Drake at 1512 Spruce Street. The tower rises 33 floors above ground and stands at an impressive height of 375 feet. The tower was designed by Verus Shay and Howell Lewis Shay of the architectural firm Ritter and Shay, who have designed a building with such an incredible design with a wide profile when viewed from the east and west. The north and south profile is incredibly thin, with brickwork running up to the angled and curved tops of the Art Deco and Spanish Baroque design. The structure was constructed by Murphy, Quigley Company and was completed in 1929.

The Drake unfinished design. Photo via Ritter and Shay

The Drake’s prior design. Image via Ritter and Shay

When the tower was completed, it amazed the public mind as such a skyscraper was constructed just after the Great Depression and stood as one of the tallest buildings in the city. The Drake dramatically stood out since it was separated from City Hall and the cluster of buildings along Broad Street, along with its eye-catching shades of orange and cladding in stone and terracotta.

Philadelphia 1931 aerial. Photo via Old Images of Philadelphia on Facebook

Philadelphia 1931 aerial. Photo via Old Images of Philadelphia on Facebook

The skyscraper still stands out on the skyline despite the more massive structures that have risen over time, which include the 542-foot Arthaus condominium under construction at 311 South Broad Street and taller structures such as Liberty Place. The Drake mostly stands out from views from the south and still fits in very well with the growing skyline.

The Drake and One Liberty Place. Photo by Thomas Koloski

The Drake and One Liberty Place. Photo by Thomas Koloski

The Drake. Photo by Thomas Koloski

The Drake. Photo by Thomas Koloski

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9 Comments on "Taking a Look At The Drake at 1512 Spruce Street in Rittenhouse Square, Center City"

  1. Directly behind the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, this tower is such a classic iconic historical Philadelphia landmark.

    😉

  2. Gabriel Gottlieb | April 13, 2021 at 2:38 pm | Reply

    One South Broad, Market East National Bank, the Lewis Tower, and 1616 Walnut are all massive Art Deco skyscrapers built in Philadelphia in the 1920s. Sure, they’re not as tall as the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, and RCA Building, but those towers were unique in the 1920s because of Manhattan’s uniquely difficult geography, kind of like how the PSFS Building was also unique in the 1920s (although while that massive building isn’t considered Art Deco, it does have some Art Deco features).

  3. I have always found the Drake both intriguing and attractive. I would love to have a look on the inside, particularly the ground level and one of the rooms on the upper floors

  4. Is the Drake still a hotel or has it morphed into apartments or condos?

  5. Were the balconies on West side added later?

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