WCAU Building

Constructed in 1931, the WCAU Building is believed to be the first building in the country erected specifically to house a radio studio and features a striking Art Deco architecture. Designed by Harry Sternfeld, the building has a blue-tinted facade, horizontal and vertical bands of decorative metal work, a vertical central slit window, and a lighted glass tower which was originally much taller. The building now houses a retail store on the first level and the Art Institute of Philadelphia.

The building housed the studio, and later television station, of WCAU, which is commonly known as Channel 10 (it relocated to a new facility in the early 1950s). The exterior was originally covered in a material consisting of stucco and crushed blue glass, which sparkled in the light. Two other designers, Gabriel Roth and Robert Heller, contributed to the building as well. Heller designed the studio and Roth created the exterior and retail space.

A fire damaged much of the building in the mid-1950s and as a result, the blue glass exterior was resurfaced in white stone slabs. The tower was eventually shortened to its current height and most of the interior spaces were renovated as well. The stone slabs were removed in 2010 after showing signs of deterioration and the exterior was painted blue. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.

"Art Institute of Philadelphia (WCAU Studio)." Society of Architectural Historians. Accessed December 19, 2022. https://sah-archipedia.org/buildings/PA-02-PH76.

Thomas, George E. "WCAU Studio." National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. January 27, 1983. https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/electronic-records/rg-079/NPS_PA/83002281.pdf.