It can be quite interesting to see what people consider historic. While large, highly-ornate buildings from centuries ago are usually easy to spot as being “contributing” from an architectural standpoint, other times it can be difficult to identify why a smaller or less grand structure might be worth keeping around forever. On 20th Street, there’s a small building on the west side of the street between Cuthbert and Arch, standing sentry beside a surface lot at 2000-24 Arch St., which fits in well with the latter category. It would be easy to miss this edifice, which was built as a gas station back in 1930. As you can see below, this building has stood on its own for quite some time and has seemingly sat vacant for decades.

While originally slated for demolition back in the ’80s, the building has stood lonely and unused as the rest of the lot was used for car rentals and surface parking. A major change is now slated for this lot, but it won’t involve the little gas station building. Before the upcoming redevelopment, the building will be moved in its entirety and restored, with a final destination just a block or so to the north at Aviator Park along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

In news that’s even more exciting than a repositioned gas station, the surface lot at 20th & Arch will soon change quite a bit. Zoning documents show that the two parcels on the lot have now been combined – a clear sign that things are afoot. But what is coming you ask? According to a Philadelphia Business Journal story from 2019, international insurance company Chubb was looking to develop this site with Brandwine Realty Trust and the Parkway Corporation for their corporate offices. Per minutes from a Logan Square Neighborhood Association meeting from last year, Covid-19 delayed plans (unsurprisingly), but things are definitely moving forward. In fact, while original plans called for 15 floors spread over 260 feet in height, new plans add three more floors to a total of 18, though the height and footprint will remain the same. Additionally, two levels of underground parking are planned for the project.

All in all, this is very exciting news for both the neighborhood and Philadelphia in general. This building will continue the business district north of the rail tracks which currently divide much of Logan Square from downtown. And while this is a large building for sure, it isn’t too tall compared to the surrounding neighborhood. Activating this quiet block will be yet another boost to the daytime life in the area.

Even more importantly, this is a huge sign that offices in Center City won’t be disappearing any time soon. If Chubb is indeed moving their headquarters, that’s a pretty big wager on folks being willing to come into the office. As the future of work continues to evolve, let’s hope that we still see folks heading into the major business districts, even if for no other reason than to make sure the wage tax revenues don’t dry up completely. We’d love to see Center City get back to the level of foot traffic and retail as several years ago, and this is most certainly a step in the right direction.