Latest news with #WanamakerOrgan
Axios
6 days ago
- Business
- Axios
New Wanamaker Building owner to convert office space into hundreds of apartments
The Wanamaker Building's new owner plans to convert office space in the high-rise into hundreds of apartments and open up other areas for public use. Why it matters: The transformation of the historic Center City building is the latest big shakeup to Philly's largest business hub. Driving the news: New York-based developer TF Cornerstone expects to begin construction on the anticipated two-year project early next year, it said in a news release. Context: The firm scooped up the building's fourth through 12th floors and its underground parking garage on Tuesday in a foreclosure auction. It's now the building's sole owner. The developer already owned the first three floors, which were previously filled by Macy's before the retailer left earlier this year. 🛠️ What's new: Floors 6-12 will house approximately 600 loft-style apartments, each with a minimum ceiling height of 16 feet. Amenities are TBD. Floor 3: To-be-determined cultural uses. Ground and second floor: Retail. 🎹 1 cool thing: The building's Grand Court — which includes the Wanamaker Organ — will be restored and remain open to the public. Worth noting: The Friends of the Wanamaker Organ are continuing their restoration efforts and will likely hold public performances leading up to the construction, Ray Biswanger, executive director of the group, tells Axios.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Macy's officially closes in Center City after nearly two decades
The Brief Macy's has officially shut its doors after nearly two decades at its Center City location in the Wanamaker Building. The closure came this weekend after the Wanamaker Organ have a musical sendoff for all Philadelphians to enjoy one last time. Plans for the Wanamaker Building's future are still unclear, but its historic features will be preserved. PHILADELPHIA - And just like that, another chapter in Philadelphia's history has come to an end. Macy's, which has called the Wanamker Building home for nearly two decades, has shut its doors forever. What we know The iconic Center City location officially closed at the end of business on Sunday after a musical sendoff that gave hundreds the opportunity to say a final farewell. People from all over the Delaware Valley flocked to the Wanamaker Building over the weekend to hear the beloved organ play one last time before the store closed. What they're saying There were many memories, stories, and even tears as people of all ages gathered near the organ that has brought so much happiness to so many generations. "It's more emotional than I thought, you know, it brings up those memories," one attendee said. For more than a hundred years, the majestic organ has delighted thousands of Philadelphians. "We just wanted to be here as a family together one last time, so we made sure we were here with little Amelia so she could enjoy the music, the organ," said Krystle Jones from South Philly. What's next It's a sad goodbye, at least for now as plans for the future of the Wanamaker Building are still unclear. Macy's may be closed for good, but city officials and the building's owner have pledged that the beloved organ will keep playing when the building undergoes some kind of transformation in the future. And that's not all! The iconic "Meet Me at the Eagle" statue is also a historically-protected feature that will be preserved. The Source Information from this article were provided by Philadelphia city officials and reporting by FOX 29.
CBS News
24-03-2025
- General
- CBS News
Shoppers bid farewell to Macy's as Center City Philadelphia store closes its doors for the last time
Thousands of people bid farewell to Macy's in Center City Philadelphia this weekend, and many shoppers visited the store Sunday for the final time. "It's generations of people who have this deep memory of this place, of it being a family moment for them," Sharon Chesnut said. There was a feeling of nostalgia for Philadelphia-area families who visited the landmark department store for the last time. "I've been coming here since I was a toddler," said Sharon's mom, Eleanor Chesnut. The mother and daughter came to the store to get one more photo with the eagle in the Grand Court . The two say they have decades worth of memories here. "This is the last day here and I spent a lot of time here because I like to shop. So I figured I close them down," Eleanor Chesnut said Sharon Chestnut added, "It was very important to make sure we got our family photo, to have that as a point of reminiscence for what it has meant." The Wanamaker Building has played a role in the lives of many since the store first opened in the early 1900s. And it continued to be significant even after it took on other department store names, with the latest being Macy's. The Christmas show , with music and lights several stories high, is one of the many memories Patti Kennedy said will forever stand out. "I've been here for a couple of hours roaming around thinking about all the times I met people here, laying down on the floor watching the show," Kennedy said. On Saturday, families got a chance to make one final memory inside the Grand Court, hearing a day of concerts featuring the famous Wanamaker Organ. It's the end of an era, but the building has a legacy many hope will continue. "I hope this building can be something we all can enjoy again because we have for many, many years," Brian Hopkins said.
CBS News
18-03-2025
- General
- CBS News
What's next for Philadelphia's Wanamaker Organ and Grant Court Eagle when Macy's closes?
Walk inside the doors of the soon-to-be closed Macy's department store in Center City Philadelphia and you can still hear that magical sound — the Wanamaker Organ. But not for much longer. Many have asked, what happens to the Wanamaker Organ and the Grand Court Eagle when the store closes? They are some of Philadelphia's most-prized possessions. The one-ton bronze bird has ministered over millions of meetings since 1911. And the organ — its breath through 28,000 pipes — roars to life twice daily from Monday to Saturday. The instrument, initially part of the 1904 World Fair in Saint Louis, has rumbled sales racks — with its soaring tones, and then, its colorful dynamics fade back to nothing more than a whisper. Recently, the upward-looking crowds have been building in size as things wind down, nearing the end. Appreciation fills the room, a place soon to be a little quieter. Fred Astmann, of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, is a walking encyclopedia. He has a knowledge and database showing a command of the organ's history. CBS News Philadelphia was invited to join Astmann on a tour. More than a half-dozen people went through some of the organ's pipe chambers: rooms and rooms of thousands and thousands of pipes across numerous store floors. The chambers are a special place, more like a museum: a tribute to the many hands that have labored on the instrument for its 114 years in Philadelphia. "It's just so enormous and overwhelming that to play music on this instrument is an experience like no other," Rudy Lucente, of Lansdale, said. Lucente, a substitute organist, has played the Wanamaker for 47 years. He calls it a privilege. His dream is to reach the 50-year mark. He remains hopeful about a part of his life that remains as exciting as when it began. "That's perhaps the best answer to your question. It never gets old," Lucente said. "It's the same thrill the first time I played it. And back then, I was scared out of my mind." There is an intense amount of work that goes into maintaining the organ – a massive instrument that cannot be moved. The Friends of the Wanamaker have cared for it for 34 years. The questions about its future, the eagle, and other cherished traditions, like the Macy's Christmas Light Show and Dickens' Village, come up repeatedly . "That's a real question here, how much is going to remain?" Astmann said. "How many questions can you come up with, what's going to happen here?" Since the store's closing was announced, answers about the valuables inside have been hard to come by. The organ and eagle are protected. Each is listed on Philadelphia's Register of Historic Places. According to the Grand Court nomination materials from Philadelphia's Department of Planning and Development: "The Wanamaker Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971 and the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places in 1974, and was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1978. The Wanamaker Eagle, an iconic sculpture located prominently within the Grand Court, was added to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places as a historic object in 2001." A city spokesperson emailed the following to CBS News Philadelphia: "Being listed on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places means that any changes to the Grand Court that require a building permit will also require approval from the Philadelphia Historical Commission. The eagle statue and the organ's two-story organ pipe case are part of the Grand Court." The organ and eagle are "symbolic to driving people to that space" and its future, said Philadelphia City Councilman Mark Squilla. In an interview, he said TF Cornerstone, the property's owner, has given the city assurances. "They have committed to keeping the organ and the eagle as part of their renovations," Squilla said. "They were all even excited ... to try to have it that the organ plays every day, a daily event for the organ." TF Cornerstone, which will own the organ once Macy's leaves, did not respond to an email requesting comment for this report. Squilla said a tenant has been identified for the Chestnut Street side of the building, with construction beginning once Macy's is out. He said other retail tenants and other uses are under consideration for the Market Street side. Squilla said the Christmas Light Show and Dickens' Village are a different issue. Macy's acquired both when it took over the store, he said. "We have to convince Macy's to sell it to them [TF Cornerstone] or sell it to the city so we can preserve it. Those conversations are ongoing," Squilla said. Macy's did not provide specifics in response to questions CBS News Philadelphia asked. Meanwhile, many who have visited Macy's since the closure was announced are apprehensive about the future. "Just growing up as a child," Donna, from Erdenheim, said. "Coming down with my parents, for the light show, hearing the organ play. It would be a shame to lose it. There is a lot of history – it is special." This, as people like Astmann, go about their work – hoping to continue giving tours and sharing love of the Wanamaker organ and the eagle. "And I'll be back again this afternoon," Astmann said to building security. A special musical presentation, called "Make a Joyful Noise" is set for Saturday. The program begins at 9 a.m. with the national anthem and features eight Wanamaker Organ assistants. Admission is free. Workers and sources say the store is expected to close Sunday.
