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901 Old York Rd; freestanding store. Became Hecht's when chain was sold to Federated in 1995; closed in 1996 when Federated also bought Strawbridge's (up the road in Willow Grove Park). Subdivided between Old Navy, Petsmart, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Zagara's (upscale grocery store owned by Genuardi's) in 2000. Zagara's closed in 2002; Stein Mart opened in 2003.
The Sun Building at 280 Broadway is one of the under appreciated historical and architectural gems of New York City.
It was built in 1846 by A.T. Stewart to house his dry goods business. Some historians describe that business as the City's first department store. Much later, after some additions were made to the building, it was bought by the New York Sun in 1917 and the Sun moved there in 1919. Less well remembered is that the New York Herald newspaper was also located at 280 Broadway from 1920 to 1924. Today the Sun Building houses the NYC Department of Buildings and ground floor stores. The City's use of the building reprises a function it played around the turn of the last century, when it housed many City offices prior to the construction of the nearby Municipal Building.
Architecturally, the Sun Building has been described as one of the first, if not the first, Italianate style buildings in the US. It is considered a trend setting building in that it established a building style that many "commercial palaces" followed. It was also pioneering in its use of marble for a commercial building.
It sits at 280 Broadway, between Chambers and Reade streets, a block north of City Hall and a few blocks north of the Woolworth Building. In fact, a 1917 NY Sun article reported that Woolworth had offices in what is now the Sun Building before building its own structure.
At least twice in its long history this building was nearly demolished.
In October 1917 when Sun owner Frank A. Munsey purchased it, he announced his intention to to replace it. It was considered an important development site, given its size (about 35,000 square feet) and location at Broadway and Chambers Street just north of City Hall Park. The Sun reported "there will be erected a great building for the Sun," while others, such as the Evening Post, speculated that the new building to come could be taller than the Woolworth Building.
According to the Sun, before Munsey bought the site others also eyed the site for new buildings.
"Every few months during the past two or three years the property has been under negotiation for some novel improvement. Once a deal was well advanced for the erection there of an immense hotel to satisfy the needs of downtown business men. When the city was casting about for a new court house site this one was seriously considered along with the plot finally selected to the north of the Municipal Building."
It appears that the plans for the new building went unrealized because of World War I and its effects on building material prices. A July 24, 1919 article in Editor & Publisher noted that Munsey had said in 1917 that he would wait until the cost of building materials lowered, but that in 1919: "it is understood that while he [Munsey] still has this project in mind, its realization has been postponed indefinitely."
The building was marked to be torn down a second time, in 1966 when the City purchased it and planned to demolish it as part of a Civic Center redevelopment project. But that plan also failed to materialize.
So, in addition to be a historic and architectural gem, the Sun Building is also a survivor.
For more information on this other buildings connected to New York's newspaper history, please see my article "Ghosts of Newspapers Past: 15 Former Locations of NYC Newspaper Headquarters" on Untapped New York at:
untappedcities.com/2015/12/14/the-ghosts-of-newspapers-pa...
The May Department Stores Company did a complete rebuild of the former John Wanamaker store at Moorestown Mall shortly after they acquired the store. The current store opened as a Stawbridge's (after May acquired them as well) and dates from 1999.
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Moorestown Mall is one of America's oldest enclosed malls. Anchored by Boscov's, Lord & Taylor, Macy's and Sears, the center opened in 1963 and has been updated continuously since.
The recent redevelopment of Cherry Hill Mall, three miles southwest, has taken a toll on traffic and occupancy at Moorestown Mall, but it still remains popular, with an ongoing redevelopment project bringing new stores and remodeled entrances to the mall.
Lehigh Valley Mall, Rts. 22 & 145; opened as John Wanamaker in 1976. Became Hecht's in 1995, then Strawbridge's in 1997. Closed in 2006 after merger with Macy's; reopened as Boscov's a few months later with minimal remodeling done. Is one of the few former Strawbridge's that Boscov's hasn't since closed.
The John Wanamaker building, on 13th & Market Street, in Philadelphia. Home to 5 different department stores (Current Building since Summer 1911):
John Wanamaker: 3/20/1876 to 8/28/1995
HECHT'S: 9/3/1995 to 7/15/1996
strawbridge's: 7/15/1996 to 2/1/1997
Lord & Taylor: 8/6/1997 to 6/2006
Macy's: 8/2/2006 to P
This photo was taken while location was a Lord & Taylor, at the Market Street entrance.
Now Macy’s but was the classic John Wanamaker building.
Since 1876, John Wanamaker operated his "Grand
Depot" store in an abandoned railway station, but
in 1910, that facility was replaced with one of the
most renowned and beautiful store buildings in all
the world. The building was built in stages on the
same site as the "Grand Depot."
A sign said, "These Historic Elevators Are Not In Use". That's ok. I was just so thrilled to see them there, with the old "JW" still on the doors.
Oxford Valley Mall, 2300 E. Lincoln Hwy; opened as Wanamaker in 1972. Became Hecht's in 1995, and Strawbridge's in 1997. Closed in 2007 after the merger with Macy's; was briefly Boscov's from 2007 to 2008. Currently vacant.
Wynnewood S.C., 80 E. Wynnewood Rd; opened approx. 1956 with center. Closed in 1995 after rest of chain became Hecht's; Genuardi's opened in 1996 on the second floor around back of building. Bed Bath & Beyond moved in soon after on the first and part of the second floor, pictured here. Notice there's still a "W" logo above the B in Beyond.
The May Department Stores Company did a complete rebuild of the former John Wanamaker store at Moorestown mall shortly after they aquired the store. The current store opened as a Stawbridge's (after acquired them as well) and dates from 1999.
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Moorestown Mall is one of America's oldest enclosed malls. Anchored by Boscov's, Lord & Taylor, Macy's and Sears, the center opened in 1963 and has been updated continuously since.
The recent redevelopment of Cherry Hill Mall, three miles southwest, has taken a toll on traffic and occupancy at Moorestown Mall, but it still remains popular, with an ongoing redevelopment project bringing new stores and remodeled entrances to the mall.
60 E. Wynnewood Rd at Lancaster Ave. This store opened as John Wanamaker in 1956 and became Hecht's in 1995. It closed in 1997 after the merger with Strawbridge's, due to their existing store in Suburban Square in Ardmore (now Macy's). Genuardi's moved into the first floor of the building in 2000, with Bed Bath & Beyond taking up the second floor. This Genuardi's location is becoming a Giant (Carlisle) later this year.
This John Wanamaker's was constructed in 1954 in suburban Wynnewood, PA. It was converted over to a Hecht's in 1995 and was closed in 1997. It is now a Bed, Bath, and Beyond and was heavily modifed (with Dryvet) in the early 2000s.
Pic taken as Shuttered Borders Center City. Space also included Philadelphia National Bank (CoreStates/First Union Bank) and Men's store for John Wanamaker Department Store Currently Walgreens Mega-store in Philadelphia, PA
Now Macy’s but was the classic John Wanamaker building.
Since 1876, John Wanamaker operated his "Grand
Depot" store in an abandoned railway station, but
in 1910, that facility was replaced with one of the
most renowned and beautiful store buildings in all
the world. The building was built in stages on the
same site as the "Grand Depot."
The palatial John Wanamaker department store in Center City Philadelphia features the former St. Louis World's Fair pipe organ. The organ was installed in the store's marble-clad central atrium known as the Grand Court. in 1911.
Despite its size, the organ was deemed insufficient to fill the Grand Court with its music. Wanamaker's responded by assembling its own staff of organ builders and expanding the organ several times over a period of years. The organ still stands in place in the store today, and is the largest operational pipe organ in the world, with some 28,000 pipes. It is famed for the delicate, orchestra-like beauty of its tone as well as its incredible power.
This bronze eagle statue that stands in the middle of the old John Wanamakers Dept. Store (now Macys) Grand Court, in Philadelphia, Pa. by German sculptor August Gaul, came to America for the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in 1904. The eagle statue and the huge, beautiful pipe organ upstairs both came from the Exposition.
The statue weighs about 2,500 lbs. and John Wanamaker had to add extra girders underneath the main floor to support it.
The store opened in 1911 and since then, if you say to any Philadelphian "I'll meet you at the Eagle", they will know exactly where to find you at!
Site of the former John Wanamaker Department Store at Oxford Valley Mall, Langhorne, PA. Store was later HECHT'S, strawbridge's, and Boscov's.
95% of building demolished and set to replaced by an apartment complex.
The palatial John Wanamaker department store in Center City Philadelphia features the former St. Louis World's Fair pipe organ. The organ was installed in the store's marble-clad central atrium known as the Grand Court. in 1911.
Despite its size, the organ was deemed insufficient to fill the Grand Court with its music. Wanamaker's responded by assembling its own staff of organ builders and expanding the organ several times over a period of years. The organ still stands in place in the store today, and is the largest operational pipe organ in the world, with some 28,000 pipes. It is famed for the delicate, orchestra-like beauty of its tone as well as its incredible power.
Philadelphia famous places, as seen in the back of the menu at McGillin's Olde Ale House, itself a famous place, opened in 1860 during the US President administration of Pennsylvania own James Buchanan
The palatial John Wanamaker department store in Center City Philadelphia features the former St. Louis World's Fair pipe organ. The organ was installed in the store's marble-clad central atrium known as the Grand Court. in 1911.
Despite its size, the organ was deemed insufficient to fill the Grand Court with its music. Wanamaker's responded by assembling its own staff of organ builders and expanding the organ several times over a period of years. The organ still stands in place in the store today, and is the largest operational pipe organ in the world, with some 28,000 pipes. It is famed for the delicate, orchestra-like beauty of its tone as well as its incredible power.
The Macy's Center City Holiday Light Show, a 52-year-old tradition in Philadelphia, soars several stories high dazzling visitors who are perched in the ornate Grand Court. Macy's is formerly John Wanamaker's
The John Wanamaker building, on 13th & Market Street, in Philadelphia. Home to 5 different department stores (Current Building since Summer 1911):
:
John Wanamaker: 3/20/1876 to 8/28/1995
HECHT'S: 9/3/1995 to 7/15/1996
strawbridge's: 7/15/1996 to 2/1/1997
Lord & Taylor: 8/6/1997 to 6/2006
Macy's: 8/2/2006 to P
Photo taken on the Chestnut Street side, with location currently as macy's
Medium Sized Bronze Statue of Philadelphia notable John Wanamaker by sculptor John Massey Rhind. Located at S Penn Square & S Broad St, (City Hall Complex) Philadelphia Pa US
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image by Photo George
copyrighted: ©2016 GCheatle
all rights reserved
locator: GAC_0170
The palatial John Wanamaker department store in Center City Philadelphia features the former St. Louis World's Fair pipe organ. The organ was installed in the store's marble-clad central atrium known as the Grand Court. in 1911.
Despite its size, the organ was deemed insufficient to fill the Grand Court with its music. Wanamaker's responded by assembling its own staff of organ builders and expanding the organ several times over a period of years. The organ still stands in place in the store today, and is the largest operational pipe organ in the world, with some 28,000 pipes. It is famed for the delicate, orchestra-like beauty of its tone as well as its incredible power.
The palatial John Wanamaker department store in Center City Philadelphia features the former St. Louis World's Fair pipe organ. The organ was installed in the store's marble-clad central atrium known as the Grand Court. in 1911.
Despite its size, the organ was deemed insufficient to fill the Grand Court with its music. Wanamaker's responded by assembling its own staff of organ builders and expanding the organ several times over a period of years. The organ still stands in place in the store today, and is the largest operational pipe organ in the world, with some 28,000 pipes. It is famed for the delicate, orchestra-like beauty of its tone as well as its incredible power.