Market and 9th Streets
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Market East area, radiating from the intersection of 12th and Market Streets in Center City Philadelphia, was the central point of trade for the region between the early 1800s and 1930s. By the mid-20th century, its prominence had faded.
This was due to several factors, among them, the rapid suburbanization of the city and development of outlying shopping centers, such as CHERRY HILL MALL (1961) {in New Jersey} and KING OF PRUSSIA PLAZA (1963) and PLYMOUTH MEETING MALL (1966) {in Pennsylvania}.
As an attempt to bolster the city's declining downtown, a Center City retail and transit hub complex was on the drawing board by the mid-1950s. The first concrete proposal was completed in 1958. This plan was revised in 1960, and 1963, and was approved by civic leaders in 1964. The Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia secured initial funding from the Department of Housing & Urban Development. A joint venture was formed between the Redevelopment Authority, Maryland-based Rouse Company and Gimbels-Philadelphia. Construction commenced in 1974.
A first phase project, officially known as THE GALLERY AT MARKET EAST, was designed by Philadelphia's John Bower of Bower & Fradley Architects and the Copeland, Novak & Isreal firm, of New York City. The complex, which encompassed 447,400 leasable square feet, was dedicated on August 11, 1977.
Comprising 4 levels of retail, the GALLERY occupied 4.7 acres, stretching from the intersection of 10th and Market Streets over to the circa-1931 Strawbridge & Clothier building, which stood at 8th and Market. Strawbridge & Clothier occupied a 7-level (522,000 square foot) flagship store and 5-level home office. A new 4-level (300,000 square foot) Gimbels-Philadelphia was the second GALLERY AT MARKET EAST anchor.
Charter inline stores included Jo-Ann's Nut House, Alston's Hallmark, Harmony Hut Records, Silverman's men's wear, Merry Go Round ladies' wear, Casual Corner ladies' wear, Waldenbooks and Tiffany's Bakery. Restaurants were collectively grouped in the 22-bay Market Fair Food Court.
The main feature of THE GALLERY AT MARKET EAST was a naturally lit, 4-level interior court, with sixteen escalators, modern statuary and 40-foot-tall Ficus trees. Subterranean concourses linked the (basement) Mall Level with two major subway hubs; the SEPTA 8th Street Station and PATCO 8th & Market Station.
A second phase complex was designed by two Philadelphia-based firms; Cope, Linder Associates and Bower, Lewis, Thrower Architects. GALLERY II was developed on the block bounded by 11th, Market, 10th and Filbert Streets. It encompassed 371,600 leasable square feet, contained 105 stores and services, and was formally dedicated on October 12, 1983. With its completion, the original -circa-1977- structure was renamed GALLERY I.
Like its predecessor, GALLERY II consisted of 4 levels of retail. It was anchored by a 3-level (184,000 square foot) J.C. Penney. New inline stores included Red Cross Shoes, Ship 'n Shore Outlet, Just Shirts, The Wild Pair shoes, Sports Impressions and DJ's Fashion Center For Men.
The complex included subterranean connections between its Mall Level and SEPTA 11th Street Station. Moreover, a new SEPTA Regional Rail terminal, the Market East Station, was built along with GALLERY II and was directly accessed from its Mall Level. The GALLERY I and II malls were joined by concourses extending under 9th and 10th Streets and also by Second and Third Level bridges over 9th and 10th. The Street Level (or ground floor) was divided into three parts by 9th and 10th Streets.
Collectively, THE GALLERY AT MARKET EAST occupied eight Center City acres, encompassed approximately 1,348,000 leasable square feet and contained a total of 215 stores and services. The 312 million dollar facility was connected, via skybridge, to two parking garages.
Gimbels became the first GALLERY anchor to be rebranded. New Jersey-based Stern's took over its space on August 18, 1986. This store lasted until March 1992. A portion became a 1-level (99,000 square foot) Clover. This discount branch of Strawbridge & Clothier began business on August 7, 1995. After Clover's departure, its area became part of a Big Kmart. The 2-level (150,000 square foot) location, reputedly the first in a major city downtown district, welcomed first shoppers on November 26, 1997.
J.C. Penney was shuttered in late 2001, with Burlington Coat Factory opening in the building on August 21, 2003. By this time, THE GALLERY was struggling to keep tenants. Strawbridge's was shuttered on September 9, 2006. The once-upscale mall had slowly morphed into more of a discount outlet. Its two upper floors had been largely vacant for years.
Plans for a Center City Philadelphia casino were being discussed in the early 2000s. Originally proposed for a south Philadelphia riverfront site, the location of the prospective Foxwoods Casino Philadelphia was changed due to community opposition.
In the autumn of 2008, it was decided to attempt to install the facility in the existing GALLERY complex. At first, the existing Burlington Coat Factory was to be relocated. In February 2009, the plan was altered again. Now, the casino was to occupy 3 floors of the vacant Strawbridge's store. This plan was aborted in February 2010, when the prospective location of the casino was shifted back to the original south Philly site.
Alas, THE GALLERY AT MARKET EAST would not have a gambling hall. However, vacant Second and Third Level space was reconfigured as office suites. Health Patients Plans expanded their existing GALLERY office block from 140,000 to 214,000 square feet. The Philadelphia Media Network moved into a 125,000 square foot block in July 2012.
Philadelphia's Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT) had acquired the bulk of GALLERY I in April 2003 and most of GALLERY II (excluding the Big Kmart store) in March 2004. In April 2013, PREIT acquired the Kmart space. They now owned the majority of the GALLERY AT MARKET EAST complex. The Big Kmart store was shuttered on April 27, 2014.
California's Macerich Company entered into a joint venture with PREIT in July 2014. They announced a massive 325 million dollar renovation, which would be aided by 149 million dollars in tax abatements. A revitalized retail, restaurant and entertainment complex would be known as FASHION OUTLETS OF PHILADELPHIA.
https://www.preit.com / Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust
http://www.burlingtoncoatfactory.com
https://www.septa.org / Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority
http://www.ridepatco.org / Port Authority Transit Company
https://www.fashiondistrictphiladelphia.com
https://www.macerich.com / The Macerich Company
https://philly.curbed.com
As an attempt to bolster the city's declining downtown, a Center City retail and transit hub complex was on the drawing board by the mid-1950s. The first concrete proposal was completed in 1958. This plan was revised in 1960, and 1963, and was approved by civic leaders in 1964. The Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia secured initial funding from the Department of Housing & Urban Development. A joint venture was formed between the Redevelopment Authority, Maryland-based Rouse Company and Gimbels-Philadelphia. Construction commenced in 1974.
A first phase project, officially known as THE GALLERY AT MARKET EAST, was designed by Philadelphia's John Bower of Bower & Fradley Architects and the Copeland, Novak & Isreal firm, of New York City. The complex, which encompassed 447,400 leasable square feet, was dedicated on August 11, 1977.
Comprising 4 levels of retail, the GALLERY occupied 4.7 acres, stretching from the intersection of 10th and Market Streets over to the circa-1931 Strawbridge & Clothier building, which stood at 8th and Market. Strawbridge & Clothier occupied a 7-level (522,000 square foot) flagship store and 5-level home office. A new 4-level (300,000 square foot) Gimbels-Philadelphia was the second GALLERY AT MARKET EAST anchor.
Charter inline stores included Jo-Ann's Nut House, Alston's Hallmark, Harmony Hut Records, Silverman's men's wear, Merry Go Round ladies' wear, Casual Corner ladies' wear, Waldenbooks and Tiffany's Bakery. Restaurants were collectively grouped in the 22-bay Market Fair Food Court.
The main feature of THE GALLERY AT MARKET EAST was a naturally lit, 4-level interior court, with sixteen escalators, modern statuary and 40-foot-tall Ficus trees. Subterranean concourses linked the (basement) Mall Level with two major subway hubs; the SEPTA 8th Street Station and PATCO 8th & Market Station.
A second phase complex was designed by two Philadelphia-based firms; Cope, Linder Associates and Bower, Lewis, Thrower Architects. GALLERY II was developed on the block bounded by 11th, Market, 10th and Filbert Streets. It encompassed 371,600 leasable square feet, contained 105 stores and services, and was formally dedicated on October 12, 1983. With its completion, the original -circa-1977- structure was renamed GALLERY I.
Like its predecessor, GALLERY II consisted of 4 levels of retail. It was anchored by a 3-level (184,000 square foot) J.C. Penney. New inline stores included Red Cross Shoes, Ship 'n Shore Outlet, Just Shirts, The Wild Pair shoes, Sports Impressions and DJ's Fashion Center For Men.
The complex included subterranean connections between its Mall Level and SEPTA 11th Street Station. Moreover, a new SEPTA Regional Rail terminal, the Market East Station, was built along with GALLERY II and was directly accessed from its Mall Level. The GALLERY I and II malls were joined by concourses extending under 9th and 10th Streets and also by Second and Third Level bridges over 9th and 10th. The Street Level (or ground floor) was divided into three parts by 9th and 10th Streets.
Collectively, THE GALLERY AT MARKET EAST occupied eight Center City acres, encompassed approximately 1,348,000 leasable square feet and contained a total of 215 stores and services. The 312 million dollar facility was connected, via skybridge, to two parking garages.
Gimbels became the first GALLERY anchor to be rebranded. New Jersey-based Stern's took over its space on August 18, 1986. This store lasted until March 1992. A portion became a 1-level (99,000 square foot) Clover. This discount branch of Strawbridge & Clothier began business on August 7, 1995. After Clover's departure, its area became part of a Big Kmart. The 2-level (150,000 square foot) location, reputedly the first in a major city downtown district, welcomed first shoppers on November 26, 1997.
J.C. Penney was shuttered in late 2001, with Burlington Coat Factory opening in the building on August 21, 2003. By this time, THE GALLERY was struggling to keep tenants. Strawbridge's was shuttered on September 9, 2006. The once-upscale mall had slowly morphed into more of a discount outlet. Its two upper floors had been largely vacant for years.
Plans for a Center City Philadelphia casino were being discussed in the early 2000s. Originally proposed for a south Philadelphia riverfront site, the location of the prospective Foxwoods Casino Philadelphia was changed due to community opposition.
In the autumn of 2008, it was decided to attempt to install the facility in the existing GALLERY complex. At first, the existing Burlington Coat Factory was to be relocated. In February 2009, the plan was altered again. Now, the casino was to occupy 3 floors of the vacant Strawbridge's store. This plan was aborted in February 2010, when the prospective location of the casino was shifted back to the original south Philly site.
Alas, THE GALLERY AT MARKET EAST would not have a gambling hall. However, vacant Second and Third Level space was reconfigured as office suites. Health Patients Plans expanded their existing GALLERY office block from 140,000 to 214,000 square feet. The Philadelphia Media Network moved into a 125,000 square foot block in July 2012.
Philadelphia's Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT) had acquired the bulk of GALLERY I in April 2003 and most of GALLERY II (excluding the Big Kmart store) in March 2004. In April 2013, PREIT acquired the Kmart space. They now owned the majority of the GALLERY AT MARKET EAST complex. The Big Kmart store was shuttered on April 27, 2014.
California's Macerich Company entered into a joint venture with PREIT in July 2014. They announced a massive 325 million dollar renovation, which would be aided by 149 million dollars in tax abatements. A revitalized retail, restaurant and entertainment complex would be known as FASHION OUTLETS OF PHILADELPHIA.
The first new tenant, a New York City-based Century 21, was installed in a portion of the vacant Strawbridge's. The (98,000 square foot) store opened its doors on October 23, 2014. The GALLERY I section was shuttered on October 2, 2015. Reconstruction work commenced soon after. In August 2017, developers announced modifications. The complex-to-be would not be an outlet-type facility, but more of an upscale, retail, restaurant and entertainment venue. Reflecting this change, its official name was changed to FASHION DISTRICT PHILADELPHIA.
Burlington relocated into a 2-level store on the opposite end of the complex and opened for business on September 22, 2017. New inline stores were announced, such as Levi Strauss & Company, Francesca's, Columbia Sportswear, Skechers Shoes, Primark, Zumiez and a 3-level (38,000 square foot) and H & M.
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on September 19, 2019. The retail district now contained over 800,000 leasable square feet and 339,000 square feet of office suites. The AMC Dine-In Fashion District 8 showed first features on November 4, 2019 with a Round 1 Bowling & Amusement Center making its debut on December 21st of the same year. A (32,000 square foot) Heirloom Market grocery welcomed first shoppers on December 16, 2021. The store was not successful and was shuttered on December 29, 2024.
Sources:
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Burlington relocated into a 2-level store on the opposite end of the complex and opened for business on September 22, 2017. New inline stores were announced, such as Levi Strauss & Company, Francesca's, Columbia Sportswear, Skechers Shoes, Primark, Zumiez and a 3-level (38,000 square foot) and H & M.
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on September 19, 2019. The retail district now contained over 800,000 leasable square feet and 339,000 square feet of office suites. The AMC Dine-In Fashion District 8 showed first features on November 4, 2019 with a Round 1 Bowling & Amusement Center making its debut on December 21st of the same year. A (32,000 square foot) Heirloom Market grocery welcomed first shoppers on December 16, 2021. The store was not successful and was shuttered on December 29, 2024.
Sources:
The Philadelphia Inquirer
The Lakeland Ledger (Lakeland, Florida)
https://philadelphiaencyclopedia.org
https://repository.upenn.edu ("Historic Structures in the Redevelopment Process, Market Street East, Philadelphia" - Lisa Marie Kolakowsky
https://philadelphiaencyclopedia.org
https://repository.upenn.edu ("Historic Structures in the Redevelopment Process, Market Street East, Philadelphia" - Lisa Marie Kolakowsky
http://www.therousecompany.com (Website on Internet Archive Wayback Machine)
https://www.phillymag.comhttps://www.preit.com / Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust
http://www.burlingtoncoatfactory.com
https://www.septa.org / Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority
http://www.ridepatco.org / Port Authority Transit Company
https://www.fashiondistrictphiladelphia.com
https://www.macerich.com / The Macerich Company
https://philly.curbed.com
