The 2000 block of S. Broad Street is the very definition of an architectural mixed bag. The western side of the block is home to only two buildings, with a gorgeous structure built for Bell Atlantic with intact deco details next door to a low slung former Walgreens. The eastern side offers a similar contrast, with two handsome buildings constructed for banks bookending a stretch of uninspiring commercial buildings. The bank building at the northeast corner of Broad & Snyder, originally built in 1928 as a branch for the Beneficial Saving Fund Society, is what brings us to this block today.

This building was designed by the Horace Trumbauer architectural firm as the second branch office for the Beneficial Saving Fund Society. Julian Abele, the first African American to graduate from Penn’s architecture program and the namesake of a neighborhood park at 22nd & Carpenter, was the firm’s chief designer during these years and it’s likely he was closely involved with its design. As an excellent example of the Classical Revival style and a product of a famed local firm, this building was added to the local Historic Register in 2024. Honestly, it’s amazing that it took so long.

We’ve visited this property a few times over the years, first in 2014 when the bank branch closed as developers purchased the property. In the summer of 2017, we shared that Wendy’s was opening a location in the former bank. While we weren’t terribly jazzed by the tenant, on the whole we were pleased that the building was being largely preserved and not modified in a dramatic fashion. Remember, the building wasn’t yet designated historic, so it could have theoretically been demoed if the owners were so inclined. It appears that Covid wiped out the Wendy’s, and the building has been sitting vacant for the last few years.

But it shouldn’t be vacant for much longer. New owners stepped in earlier this year and have pulled building and plumbing permits to renovate the interior. A reminder, historic designation does not allow exterior alterations without approval from the Historical Commission, but interior changes are fair game. A reader tipped us off that a Burger King will be opening here, which we imagine won’t require all that much renovation inside. While this is again a profoundly unsexy tenant for this awesome old building, it’s still a decent outcome that will enliven a building that’s been empty for several years. And who knows, this block is ripe for change and perhaps something more exciting will take over this building somewhere down the line.

Earlier this year, we told you to expect demolition at 2033-35 S. Broad St., in anticipation of a new five-story mixed-use building. That hasn’t happened yet, but we are hoping to see something move forward here in the coming months. More speculatively, the former Rite Aid in the middle of the block is for sale thanks to the company’s second bankruptcy filing. It would be a tremendous development site thanks to a combination of its size and favorable zoning. Across the street, the former Walgreens is an even larger property that would also be a great development site, though the building is currently listed for lease.

We couldn’t tell you if one, two, or all three of these properties will be redeveloped in the short or medium term, but there’s no denying that this block is loaded with potential and the upcoming Burger King should see at least some new neighbors relatively soon. Perhaps one project breaking ground and serving as proof of concept might trigger a domino effect and we’ll see a bunch of projects on this block, which sits near Passyunk Avenue and mass transit. Or maybe nothing will happen, aside from better Whopper availability. Here’s to hoping it’s the former.