Old Federal Reserve Bank Building (Philadelphia)

Old Federal Reserve Bank Building

Company type	Building
Industry	Banking (historical)
Founded	1931
Founder	Paul Philippe Cret (architect)
Fate	Incorporated into Thomas Jefferson University Hospital campus
Headquarters	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania , United States
Products	Banking services (historical)

The Old Federal Reserve Bank Building stands as a notable historic banking structure at 925 Chestnut Street, situated within Philadelphia's Market East district. It gained inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

History and architectural features

Architect Paul Philippe Cret conceived the building in a style blending Classical Revival with elements of Beaux-Arts. Construction took place from 1931 to 1935, integrating the earlier Penn Mutual Life Insurance Building dating back to 1889, along with expansions completed in 1918 and 1925. In 1941, Cret also designed the formal gardens associated with the property.

During 1952–53, Harbeson, Hough, Livingston & Larson—the firm succeeding Cret—added a recessed seventh floor. The eleven-bay-wide edifice measures 170 by 113 feet and is characterized by a steel framework clad in Vermont marble, accented by engaged piers. The facade is embellished with sculptures of the goddess Athena, crafted by Alfred-Alphonse Bottiau.

Currently incorporated into the Center City campus of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, this building accommodates administrative departments as well as clinical spaces. It is located within the boundaries of the East Center City Commercial Historic District.

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