Then and Now: Northeast corner of 4th and Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia

1954-2010

Constitution Place was one of the earliest projects of Philadelphia's post-war modernist construction boom, built in 1956 over the remains of four mid-19th century commercial buildings on what was once the city's "Banker's Row." Construction of the 13-story office tower also coincided with the beginning of large-scale demolition on the south side of Chestnut Street leading up to the construction of Independence National Historic Park.

More recently, Constitution Place hosted a key player in Philadelphia's restaurant renaissance; since 1998, it has housed Stephen Starr's ever-popular Buddakan restaurant.


Source: Walsh, Thomas J. "Constitution Place turnaround is done." Philadelphia Business Journal. 16 Apr. 1999.
http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/stories/1999/04/19/newscolumn3.html.
Original photo: Mallis, Atheniasis T. "Public Works-42512-1." 1954. Philadelphia City Archives. PhillyHistory.org. Philadelphia Department of Records. 23 Feb. 2010. http://www.phillyhistory.org/PhotoArchive/MediaStream.ashx?mediaId=99155.