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32-600: The Merchants' Exchange Building (also known as the Philadelphia Exchange [1] ) is an historic building which is located on the triangular site bounded by Dock, 3rd and Walnut Streets in the Old City neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania . It was designed by architect William Strickland , in the Greek Revival style, the first national American architectural style and built between 1832 and 1834. It operated as

64-657: A brokerage house in the nineteenth century, but by 1875 the Philadelphia Stock Exchange had taken the place of the Merchants' Exchange. The building was declared a National Historic Landmark in 2001. It is the oldest existing stock exchange building in the United States, but is now used as the headquarters of the Independence National Historical Park. The City Tavern , which had been

96-563: A four-block stretch between Broad Street and 18th Street, which is anchored by the park on the southwest corner. This area of Walnut Street and a few blocks to the east features a variety of shops, eateries, bars, hotels, and office buildings. Walnut Street Theatre , located at 825 Walnut Street, is the oldest continuously-operating theatre in the English -speaking world. Among the many attractions and historic sites on Walnut Street are Independence National Historical Park and Society Hill on

128-453: A major location. Limitless (2011) – A dive bar scene was filmed at a location near Rittenhouse Square. The Upside (2019) – Features several notable Philadelphia sites, including Rittenhouse Square. Silver Linings Playbook (2012) – Features various Philadelphia locations, including the square. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009) – Some scenes shot in nearby areas include

160-574: A number of prominent buildings in Washington, D.C. , and Philadelphia for the Federal government. Latrobe led the country's movement toward the Greek Revival style through the late eighteenth century and developed it for future American architects. Among several mentees of Latrobe was William Strickland , the man who was ultimately appointed architect of the Merchants' Exchange Building. Strickland's design

192-653: Is a bas-relief bust of J. William White done by R. Tait McKenzie . Billy , the goat was created by Philadelphian Albert Laessle, who also designed the Penguins statue at the Philadelphia Zoo . Residents are in the Albert M. Greenfield School catchment area for grades kindergarten through eight ; all persons assigned to Greenfield are zoned to Benjamin Franklin High School . Previously South Philadelphia High School

224-526: Is a popular dog walking destination for area residents, as was shown in the fictional film In Her Shoes . The Square was discussed in a favorable light by Jane Jacobs in her seminal work, The Death and Life of Great American Cities . The Rittenhouse neighborhood is home to many cultural institutions, including the Curtis Institute of Music , Philadelphia Youth Orchestra , the Ethical Society,

256-618: Is a public park in Center City Philadelphia , Pennsylvania that is the center of the eponymous Rittenhouse neighborhood. The square is one of the five original open-space parks planned by William Penn and his surveyor Thomas Holme during the late 17th century. Together with Fitler Square , the Rittenhouse neighborhood and the square comprise the Rittenhouse–Fitler Historic District. Rittenhouse Square

288-576: Is accessible via several forms of public transportation . All SEPTA Regional Rail lines stop at Suburban Station , about six blocks north and east of the Square. The PATCO Speedline , a rapid transit system connecting Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, has its western terminus at 16th and Locust Sts., two blocks east of the Square. The SEPTA 9, 12, 21, and 42 buses westbound run along Walnut Street. The 17 runs northbound along 20th Street and southbound along 19th Street and Rittenhouse Square West and

320-488: Is admired to this day for its balance of order and ornamentation, one of the ideals of the Greek Revival style. While the trustees of the Philadelphia Exchange Company chose Strickland for his increasing local popularity, his design of the Merchants' Exchange Building is remembered today not only for its reflection of the Greek Revival style, but also the uniqueness in its design. The plot of land allotted for

352-463: Is home to several "upscale dining, retail and cultural" establishments. In 2013, rents rose to an average of $ 107 a foot, a growth of 34% over 2012 and the largest percentage growth of any retail corridor in the country. Walnut Street is most known for Rittenhouse Square Park and its upscale shopping district in the high-end neighborhood of the same name. The majority of designer and fast fashion stores located on Walnut Street are situated on

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384-624: Is located at the corner of 50th and Walnut Streets. The street continues westward through Walnut Hill , Dunlap , and eventually Cobbs Creek , where the it ends. Running parallel to Walnut Street, one or two blocks to the north, depending on whether the side street Sansom Street is counted, is Chestnut Street . Pennsylvania Route 3 westbound follows Walnut Street from 38th Street ( U.S. Route 13 ) to its western terminus at Cobbs Creek Parkway . 39°57′04″N 75°10′52″W  /  39.951°N 75.181°W  / 39.951; -75.181 Rittenhouse Square Rittenhouse Square

416-496: Is maintained by the non-profit group The Friends of Rittenhouse Square. The square cuts off 19th Street at Walnut Street and also at a half-block above Manning Street. Its boundaries are 18th Street to the east, Walnut Street to the north, and Rittenhouse Square West, a north–south boundary street, and Rittenhouse Square South, an east–west boundary street, making the park approximately two short blocks on each side. Locust Street borders Rittenhouse Square to both its east and west in

448-489: The Jacksonian era reinforced the idea among merchants that there was a need for a centralized exchange building. In 1831, a group of prominent Philadelphians led by Stephen Girard , the nation's wealthiest man at the time, constructed a building for trade, commerce, and post to preside. Thus, they founded the Philadelphia Exchange Company and appointed an architect to begin the introductory stages of creating what later became

480-633: The Philadelphia Art Alliance , the Rosenbach Museum & Library , Plays & Players , the Wine School of Philadelphia, and the Civil War and Underground Railroad Museum. Delancey Place is a quiet, historical street lined with Civil War-era mansions and the setting for Hollywood movies, located only two blocks south of the square. The square is home to many works of public art. Among them

512-536: The 2 runs northbound along 16th Street and southbound along 17th Street. The SEPTA Subway–Surface Trolley Lines have a station at 19th and Market Streets, two blocks north of the Square. The Walnut–Locust station on the Broad Street Subway is four blocks east. Trading Places (1983) – Billy Ray Valentine (Eddie Murphy) pretends to be a blind cripple in the park. In Her Shoes (2005) – Scenes were filmed throughout Philadelphia, with Rittenhouse Square as

544-563: The Greek Revival style through his use of marble Corinthian pillars and elaborate ornamentation. Strickland's use of the Choragic Monument of Lysicrates as inspiration for the building's lantern tower drew the local press to write in a newspaper in 1831 that "Philadelphia is truly the Athens of America." Strickland later went on to be the architect of the Second Bank of the United States and

576-516: The Merchants' Exchange Building. The Greek Revival movement became particularly attractive for American architects in the late eighteenth century on account of the rising popularity of ancient Greece's democratic principles and the strong desire to recast the nation's image and further distance it from Great Britain. Greek Revival architecture began to gain favor in the United States when Thomas Jefferson appointed Benjamin Henry Latrobe to design

608-506: The Square to resemble Paris and the French gardens, adding classical entryways and stone additions to railings, pools, and fountains. After World War II , Rittenhouse Square's Victorian mansions began to be replaced with high-rise residential and office buildings such as Claridge and Savoy. Vacant lots were converted to apartments and hotels. Still, some prominent Italianate and Art Deco buildings remain, and Rittenhouse Square has changed

640-430: The area around the park. The Wrestler (2008) – Key scenes use the park as a backdrop. Creed (2015) – Honors the “Rocky” legacy with scenes near the square. Twelve Monkeys (1995) – Bruce Willis's character visits various Philly landmarks, including near the park. Philadelphia (1993) – Tom Hanks's Oscar-winning role features scenes in and near the square. National Treasure (2004) – Some scenes show

672-444: The building was one of the few triangle plots that were not a part of William Penn's original grid layout of Philadelphia. Strickland's use of a semicircular facade at the rear of the building is an example of his ingenuity in adapting the design so that the building could naturally flow with the arch of the curved road that borders the property. Although both sides of the building have distinctively different facades, Strickland evoked

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704-550: The center of the Philadelphia business community since it was built in 1773, became increasingly crowded because of the unsuitability of its floor plan to accommodate its growing clientele. At this time, Philadelphia epitomized America's ideal city by maintaining strong economic, political, and architectural advancements. The middle class was strengthening and citizens were becoming more inclined to start their own businesses, so commerce and trade continued to thrive. The economic boom of

736-671: The east and Washington Square , Washington Square West , the St. James Hotel (1226-1232), the Philadelphia Stock Exchange (1419-1411), the Sun Oil Building (1608-1610), the 1616 Walnut Street Building , Rittenhouse Square , Estey Hall (1701 Walnut Street), and the Church of the Holy Trinity . The Walnut Street Bridge , completed in 1949, crosses the Schuylkill River . On the west side of

768-622: The exclusive Rittenhouse Club , which added the present facade in c. 1901. From 1876 to 1929, Rittenhouse Square was home to several wealthy families including Pennsylvania Railroad president Alexander Cassatt , real estate entrepreneur William Weightman III , department store founder John Wanamaker , Philadelphia planning commission director Edmund Bacon and his son, actor Kevin Bacon , as well as others. Elegant churches and clubs were constructed by John Notman and Frank Furness . In 1913, French architect Paul Philippe Cret redesigned parts of

800-771: The least out of the city's initial squares. Journalist and author Jane Jacobs wrote about two main ideas in Cret's redesign: intricacy and centering. In the mid-20th century, the park became known as a safe area for gays and lesbians to meet in Center City . Rittenhouse Square is surrounded by high rise residences, luxury apartments, an office tower, restaurants, and other businesses and residences. Its green grasses and dozens of benches are popular lunch-time destinations for residents and workers in Philadelphia's Center City neighborhood , while its lion and goat statues are popular gathering spots for small children and their parents. The park

832-448: The middle of the square. Originally called Southwest Square, Rittenhouse Square was renamed in 1825 after David Rittenhouse , a descendant of the first paper-maker in Philadelphia, the German immigrant William Rittenhouse . William Rittenhouse's original paper-mill site is known as Rittenhousetown , located in the rural setting of Fairmount Park along Paper Mill Run . David Rittenhouse

864-676: The park's surroundings. The Sixth Sense (1999) – Locations around Rittenhouse contribute to the film's ambiance. The Age of Innocence (1993) – Historic sites, including Rittenhouse Square, appear for authenticity. The Happening (2008) – M. Night Shyamalan's thriller used several Philly landmarks, including the park. Beloved (1998) – Includes exterior shots around Philadelphia and near Rittenhouse. Marley & Me (2008) – Some scenes were filmed near Broad and Walnut streets, close to Rittenhouse. Law Abiding Citizen (2009) – Intense scenes filmed near Rittenhouse Square. Rocky II (1979) – The iconic training montage features

896-682: The river, the street crosses over the Schuylkill Expressway . Further west, Walnut Street bisects the campus of the University of Pennsylvania , an Ivy League university founded in the mid-18th century by Benjamin Franklin in the University City section of West Philadelphia . At Walnut and 47th Streets is the site of the old West Philadelphia High School , and the Paul Robeson House

928-576: The steeple on the Independence Hall Tower , though the Merchants' Exchange Building is still widely recognized as his greatest masterpiece because of its unique asymmetrical shape. Walnut Street (Philadelphia) A portion of the street commonly called Rittenhouse Row was ranked 12th in 2005 by Women's Wear Daily among its list of the most expensive retail streets in North America , with rents of $ 90 per square foot . The street

960-606: Was a clockmaker and friend of the American Revolution , as well as a noted astronomer; a lunar crater is named after him. In the early 19th century, as the city grew steadily from the Delaware River to the Schuylkill River , it became obvious that Rittenhouse Square would become a highly desirable address. James Harper , a merchant and brick manufacturer who had recently retired from the United States Congress,

992-454: Was the first person to build on the square, buying most of the north frontage, erecting a stately townhouse for himself at 1811 Walnut Street (c. 1840). Having thus set the patrician residential tone that would subsequently define the Square, he divided the rest of the land into generously proportioned building lots and sold them. Sold after the congressman's death, the Harper house became the home of

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1024-531: Was the neighborhood's zoned high school. The Curtis Institute of Music , University of the Arts , and Peirce College are all in the Rittenhouse neighborhood. The Free Library of Philadelphia operates the Philadelphia City Institute on the first floor and lower level of an apartment complex at 1905 Locust Street ; the apartment building is known as 220 West Rittenhouse Square . Rittenhouse Square

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