Philadelphia Apartment Rental Leasing Office: 215.351.0930

Philadelphia was a city of progress at the turn of the 20th century. Manufacturers flourished. Merchants thrived. Banking became the biggest business in town. Mass transit expanded the boundaries of the city and made the retail, business and entertainment attractions of downtown more accessible. And Broad Street was at the center of it all as the most important street in town.

This new era of prosperity found its way up North Broad Street, as manufacturers of the new-fangled motorcars parked their lavish showrooms along a stretch known as “Automobile Row.” All of the pioneering and prominent names were represented here…Ford, Chevrolet, Pierce Arrow, Cadillac, Buick, Maxwell and The Packard Motorcar.

Packard commissioned acclaimed midwestern architect, Albert Kahn, to design a dramatic facility for its showroom and assembly plant. The limestone and terra cotta-trimmed building, with its oversized window walls, was unlike anything the city had seen before. Inside, the two-story lobby was illuminated by majestic chandeliers and distinguished by a detailed cast plaster ceiling, as well as rich mahogany walls accentuated by handfinished millwork.

The Depression of the late 1920’s and early 30’s drove most of the luxury auto dealers out of business and many of the beautiful buildings became rundown or were converted to serve other purposes. The Packard building became the publishing plant for the old Philadelphia Record newspaper well into the 1940’s, then it was home to a few warehouse businesses and ultimately it became abandoned for a time.

In 1985, prominent rehabber Historic Landmarks For Living, acquired the property and spent millions to transform it into a distinctive highrise of 151 luxury apartments. Great care was taken to preserve the significant architectural features of the past and blend them with modern amenities. Step inside the award-winning, restored grand lobby and you’ll see the exquisite details still in place, complemented with contemporary furnishings and a full-size neon sculpture of a vintage Packard Motorcar. The dramatic design continues on every level, where curved hallways lead to creatively designed apartments featuring airy window walls, spacious floorplans and almost every amenity imaginable.

The name that once symbolized uncompromising style, class and comfort now endures as a landmark for luxury living. It’s no wonder the Packard Motorcar Building is one of the most preferred residences in town!

Philadelphia Apartment Rental Leasing Office: 215.351.0930