Then and Now: Southwest corner of 18th and Arch, Philadelphia

1980-2008

The handsome Philadelphia YWCA building was completed in 1891 across the street from the Arch Street Presbyterian Church. Shortly after the original photo was taken by the Historical Commission, the building was demolished in the summer of 1980. After sitting vacant for nearly 30 years, the site is now the proposed location of the American Commerce Center, a supertall to rise over 1500 feet upon completion. The proposal has thus far been cruising through the approvals process with enthusiastic support from city hall and the Planning Commission. Anything else you could possibly want to know about the project can probably be found on its Skyscraperpage thread.

Photo courtesy of PhillySkyline

Source: Philadelphia Architects and Buildings.
Original Image: "Historic Commission - PAB-20526-4." May 1980. Philadelphia City Archives. PhillyHistory.org. Philadelphia Department of Records. 23 Nov. 2008. http://www.phillyhistory.org/PhotoArchive/MediaStream.ashx?mediaId=9141