Philadelphia City Hall — Attraction in Philadelphia

Philadelphia City Hall was the world's tallest occupied structure and the nation's largest municipal government building when completed. Its load-bearing masonry construction is unique for a building of this size. Philadelphia City Hall was the largest masonry load-bearing wall building in the world at the time of its completion in 1901, stood as the tallest occupied building in the United States until 1909, and still is the largest city hall in the United States. The building covers 14.26 acres, originally contained 634 rooms with over 1 million square feet of space, and with its tower and statue of William Penn rises a total of 548 feet above the ground. The construction of Philadelphia City Hall began in 1872 and was completed in 1901. The bill providing for the erection of a new city hall passed both branches of the Pennsylvania State legislature in early April 1860, and the voters of Philadelphia selected Penn Square as the site of City Hall on October 11, 1870. The building was designed in the Second-Empire Mode of French Renaissance Revival architectural style by architect John McArthur, Jr. with the assistance of Thomas U. Walter, John Ord, and W. Bleddyn Powell.

The walls are brick, faced with white marble, and rise to a height of 337 feet above the ground. Not including the statue of William Penn, the tower rose 173 feet above the top of the building's masonry construction. The building measures 486 feet by 470 feet and rises seven stories high. The 18-foot 3-inch high basement story was constructed of white granite blocks that weigh from two to five tons and form walls up to 22-feet thick. The foundations of the tower rest on a bed of concrete 100 feet square and 8 feet 6 inches thick. The Tacony Iron and Metal Company hired civil engineer C.R. (Carl Robert) Grimm, M. ASCE to design the upper wrought-iron frame, metal-clad portion of the tower, which surmounted the masonry tower and supported the 37-foot-tall, 27-ton bronze statue of William Penn. The tower was designed to carry its dead load along with live loads on three floors and the balcony of 100 lb/ft2 and horizontal wind loads of 50 lb/ft2. The octagonal-prism tower designed by C.R. Grimm consisted of wrought-iron framework that supported the cast iron outer plates, which were electro-plated with copper and then covered with a finish coat of aluminum. The tower's pins and anchor...

The Beating Heart of the City & a Towering Symbol of History!

If there is one place that truly embodies the soul of Philadelphia, it is City Hall. Standing at the crossroads of Broad & Market Streets, this architectural masterpiece is not just the center of the city—it’s a symbol of history, power, and perseverance.

Designed in the Second Empire style, this marble and granite giant is the largest municipal building in the United States, boasting over 700 rooms and some of the most intricate sculptures you’ll ever see on a government building. Walking around its exterior feels like stepping into a European city, with grand archways, detailed carvings, and an aura of old-world grandeur.

But the real magic? Look up. At the very tip of City Hall stands the towering bronze statue of William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania. For nearly a century, this 548-foot structure was the tallest building in Philadelphia and the world’s tallest occupied masonry building. The best part? You can go to the top!

Taking the City Hall Tower Tour is an absolute must. The journey to the observation deck, just below William Penn’s feet, is a breathtaking experience—both figuratively and literally (the elevator ride through the historic structure is an adventure in itself!). Once at the top, you get a 360-degree panoramic view of the city, stretching all the way to the Delaware River and beyond. From this vantage point, you can truly appreciate the unique grid layout of Philadelphia, its blend of historic and modern skyscrapers, and the pulse of the city below.

The surrounding area is just as spectacular: ✨ Dilworth Park – A lively plaza with fountains, cafes, and a winter ice skating rink. ✨ LOVE Park – Just a short walk away, home to the iconic LOVE sculpture. ✨ Avenue of the Arts – South Broad Street, lined with theaters, music venues, and cultural landmarks. ✨ Penn Square – The historic heart of Philadelphia, where the city’s four main roads converge.

Philadelphia City Hall is more than just a government building—it’s a testament to the city’s ambition, history, and unbreakable spirit. Whether you're admiring it from the ground, exploring its grand halls, or standing atop the city with William Penn, this is an experience that will leave you in awe.

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My visit is spectacular!!! Today is May 8, 2023. The Observation Deck of the City Hall has been closed since the pandemic began, but today, it reopens! I joined the tour at 12 p.m., and we are literally the first group to experience the Observation Deck that has been closed for 3 years. My tour guide is a very nice and knowledgeable lady from London; God forgive me not remembering her name. She explained everything in detail and with clarity. The tour gives me so much knowledge about the building, the history, and its connection to and functions in the modern Philadelphia. The fact that fours sides of the building feature different motifs are very interesting. Another astonishing thing I learned is that people used to against its construction before final completion, saying it seriously damaged the public budget. There was even an offer for anyone who would like to buy this unfinished building but no one would take the bid. Thank God, otherwise we would never see the City Hall as it is today!

The room with all mayor’s portraits is a delight feast. I like the mayor who decided to clean the City Hall’s exterior surface and unmasked the original color of the building. The council’s room, the court, and the law library are all elegant and sophisticated. People spent a good amount of time and effort in preserving and refurnishing them. Many thanks!

My only complain is about the beginning place of the tour. The reservation page says the tour begins at the visitor center of the LOVE Park. Once I get there, there is a note says the tour starts in the visitor center of the City Hall. Then, I asked at least three people (who dressed in a way that convince me they work here) but none of them know where exactly the visitor center is. Finally, another tourist heard our conversation and pointed me the right direction (Thank you so much, Miss!). If there would be more visual indication, life...