The restoration and refurbishing of the garage at 8th and Filbert Streets in Center City Philadelphia was conceived as part of the relocation efforts of the Parking Authority’s HQ to the adjacent Lit Brothers building. When the facility was completed in the 1950’s, it served as a key incentive to draw Philadelphia’s suburban population to the recently completed shopping venues in the East Market District of the City. With declining interest and use of these shopping destinations, the facility continued to operate with little maintenance up until the conception of this project.
The strategic location of the 8th and Filbert Streets Garage, situated between Independence Mall and The Convention Center, continues to serve as the first impression for many who enter the City. The project’s location justified its significance as a gateway. Therefore, the design pays careful attention to the garage’s perception from its multiple access points at both the vehicular and pedestrian scales. The collection of interventions at the 8th & Filbert Streets Garage reflect a meticulous consideration to the building’s specific urban conditions, context and the opportunities provided by each exposure.
No driver or passerby sees the building at once – there are marked differences when approached from Market Street to the south and from I-676 to the north, as well as visitors approaching the building from Philadelphia’s historic and cultural centers to the east and west. The 417,730 GSF structure also serves as a key access point to various multi-modal transit hubs including PATCO lines and the Market East Station.
