(215) 686-1776
Broad St & Market St
Philadelphia,
PA
19107
39.9518
-75.1638
Neighborhoods: Center City, Center City West
What People Are Saying About Philadelphia City Hall
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
In Short – Rising 547 feet at the exact geographical center of William Penn's original plan for Philadelphia, City Hall is a huge attraction--literally. This spectacular granite temple, in French Second Empire style, occupies four-and-a-half acres and boasts 695 rooms and 250 statues. At its pinnacle, a 37-foot, 27-ton cast-iron statue of William Penn surveys the city.
09/20/02
Philly's Billy
by philly1a
To think this wonderful edifice was once scheduled for the wrecking ball! It's absolutely beautiful, and now that it is being cleaned, it is even more breath taking. They may build 'em taller, but never as unique.
- Pros: unique, spectacular, beautiful
- Cons: none
08/12/02
Do you know about the ???
by angrypoet
You can take an elevator up to the top on the famous statue at city hall, one of the greatest views I have ever experienced, and its free, just ask around some one there will let you know where it is and how to get to the top floor area.
- Pros: free, great view, did i say free
- Cons: downtown parking, traffic
07/22/02
Absolutely beautiful!
by spikee
We didn't go into this building, but this was pretty much our first real sight when we came into the city at night. It's absoutely gorgeous! All lit up at night, you can see it from almost any part of the city. It's the most ornate building in Philadelphia, hands-down. And I might go so far as to say the most ornate building I've seen in the Northeast.
- Pros: Beautiful, Free
- Cons: None
The Details on Philadelphia City Hall
The Extras:
Tour the Mayor's Reception Room, with its ornate mahogany paneling, or peek into City Council chambers when the elected politicians are not in session.
Fun Fact:
When completed in 1901, after 30 years of controversy and construction, it was the world's largest municipal building. Until 1987, no building in Philadelphia was permitted to be taller than Penn's hat. Today, though renovation has destroyed some interior design features, it remains a treasure trove of architectural expressions.
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