Wanamaker’s | Favorite Architecture

Share Top Five February 7, 2019

John Wanamaker Department Store was one of the first department stores in the United States. Founded by John Wanamaker, it is known for its substantial effects on the development of the retail industry, such as being the first store to use price tags. At its zenith in the early 20th century, Wanamaker also had a store in New York City at Broadway and Ninth Street. Both employed extremely large staffs. By the end of the 20th century, there were 16 Wanamaker’s outlets, but after years of change the chain was bought by Albert Taubman, and added to his previous purchase of Woodward & Lothrop, the Washington, D.C., department store. In 1994, Woodies, as it was known, filed for bankruptcy. The assets of Woodies were purchased by the May Company Department Stores and JCPenney. In 1995, Wanamakers transitioned to Hecht’s, one of the May Company brands.In 2006, Macy’s Center City became the occupant of the former Philadelphia Wanamaker’s Department Store, which is now a National Historic Landmark,More info:wiki

Below are photos and Images you may like:

#10 Sixty Years Of Holiday Cheer At Wanamaker’s,More info:hiddencityphila

This month, as shoppers battle crowds to buy last-minute gifts for the holidays, Macy’s in Center City celebrates six decades of presenting the annual Christmas Light Show. The beloved Philadelphia tradition boasts 100,000 lights and elaborate displays that stretch four stories high in the Wanamaker Building’s Grand Court atrium. The show began in 1956 when the structure still served as the home of its namesake department store. This summer the beautifully ornate interior of the building was finally placed on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places for legal protection.

The Wanamaker Building opened in 1911 and was designed by architect Daniel H. Burnham in the Renaissance Revival style. It replaced the Wanamaker’s Grand Depot, which existed and operated on the same corner lot at 13th and Market Streets since 1876. The pomp and circumstance of the Wanamaker Building’s grand opening stands in stark contrast to the casual environment of most department stores today. John Wanamaker—the famed retail magnate—distributed elegantly crafted invitations to the nation’s elite, directing them to RSVP with his son Rodman. President William Howard Taft provided the evening’s keynote address.

#9 Philadelphia, PA John Wanamaker Department Store (now Macy’s),More info:flickr

The Wanamaker’s flagship store was designed by Daniel Burnham. The stores were acquired by the Broadway in Los Angeles in 1978, bought by Woodward and Lothrop in 1986, and finally May Department Stores in 1997. May rebranded the stores Strawbridge’s when they acquired that chain, although this building became a Lord & Taylor. When Federated acquired May (and Lord & Taylor was sold off) this building became Macy’s in 2006. On the National Register #78002459, and also a National Historic Landmark.