Zoning board clears restaurants in the Wanamaker Building's Grand Court
The developers plan about 600 apartments upstairs and shops below in the former Macy's. The Zoning Board of Adjustment, not Council, made the call. Squilla supports the plan.
Philadelphia's Zoning Board of Adjustment has approved plans to put restaurants and food businesses in the Wanamaker Building, including in the Grand Court around the famous bronze eagle, the Inquirer reported.
The 12-story building at 13th and Market Streets has been mostly empty since Macy's closed in 2025. What happens to it shapes the heart of Center City, and the Grand Court, with its eagle, is one of the city's best-known public rooms.
What was approved
The building's zoning is among the most flexible in the city, but a Center City overlay rule required the board's review for the added food space, the Inquirer reported. The plan, as described at the hearing:
- Grand Court dining. A rendering showed a bar around the eagle with tables around it. The developers' lawyer said the space could hold several businesses, including sit-down and take-out restaurants and specialty food shops.
- Apartments. New York-based TF Cornerstone, which bought the building and is working with Alterra Property Group, plans to convert much of the upper floors to about 600 apartments, keeping offices on the fourth and fifth floors.
- Retail below. The lower floors Macy's used would be split into shops. A grocery store is possible, the paper reported.
- Entrances. Juniper Street would serve residents, office tenants and the Grand Court. Market and Chestnut would be retail entrances, with loading on 13th Street.
Asked by a board member whether the Grand Court would stay open to people who aren't dining, a principal of Alterra said it would, comparing it to a hotel lobby, according to the Inquirer.
Local community groups and 1st District Councilmember Mark Squilla, whose district includes the building, support the plan, the paper reported.
What our records add
- Council did not vote on this. The Zoning Board of Adjustment is an appointed board that rules on individual properties. Council writes the zoning code and maps, but this approval did not need a Council bill. Our records show no ordinance tied to the Wanamaker project in 2025 or 2026.
- The overlay is in play elsewhere. The Center City Overlay, labeled "/CTR" in the zoning code, is also the subject of pending legislation. Squilla has a separate bill, Bill 260896, that would allow certain uses in parts of Old City under that overlay. It is on the Nov. 17 Rules Committee agenda, along with eight other items.
- Squilla's seat may change hands. Squilla is on the short list to lead the Parking Authority, the Inquirer has reported. If he leaves, the 1st District seat would be filled by special election. We explained that process here.
- Market East context. The block sits west of the Market East area where Council in 2024 amended the Gallery at Market East tax increment financing district, Bill 240963, and Market Street East sign rules, Bill 240972.
What's next
The article did not give a construction timeline. Construction would also need city permits. If the developers seek changes the current zoning doesn't allow, such as a new overlay rule, that would come to Council as a bill and a Rules Committee hearing, where the public can testify.