Robinson
"A dramatic billboard treatment topped the entrance to this department store at 1020 Market street, [Philadelphia, Pennsylvania] taking full advantage of the stores upper floors. Architect Victor Gruen would go on to become a leading proponent of the post war shopping mall."
Constructed 1946
Photo and text from the book "Shop America-Midcentury storefront design" edited by Jim Heimann and essay by Steven Heller.
Comments and faves
srk1941, ciudad imaginaria, Your Pal Dave, GmanViz, and 33 other people added this photo to their favorites.
army.arch (68 months ago | reply)
Hey excellent eye there Java in catching this. I would never have guessed that Victor Gruen designed this building, but it kind of makes sense!
Please add to the Then & Now! group. Then I'll add my Now photo. Could you also add a small photo of this in your comment on my photo. It would be greatly appreciated. Again great eye.
Your Pal Dave (68 months ago | reply)
Wow! Excellent.
GmanViz (68 months ago | reply)
Simply amazing!
JAVA1888 (68 months ago | reply)
oh sure thing! But I do have to ask you how do I make a little picture appear on my comment on your photo, Im a bit computer retarded!
army.arch (68 months ago | reply)
Click on the all sizes button, after that page loads click on the small size. Then copy the code in the box and paste it in the comment. That should be about it.
Kyle Walton (68 months ago | reply)
I've been curious about this building for a long time. Great to see what it originally was.
Harpo42 (68 months ago | reply)
Wow!!! Now this building makes so much more sense to me! Thank you for sharing this - I feel much differently about it now.
JAVA1888 (68 months ago | reply)
Oh doesnt it! It makes a huge difference that the neat display cases and the huge "Robinson" are there. Looks odd without them tho.
Loon Man (63 months ago | reply)
I'm heading in to the Strand NOW to get this book!
JAVA1888 (63 months ago | reply)
Oh you will LOVE that book! I know I do!
Seth Gaines (63 months ago | reply)
I remember seeing this and wondering what they were thinking. Now I know. Looks great with the sign. It's a scabby old dump without it.
ams11 (52 months ago | reply)
it's so sad to see that building (and, most certainly the rest of market street) the way it looks today.
Miss Plum (45 months ago | reply)
thanks for sharing...i had NO idea it used to look that good.
Roberto41144 (42 months ago | reply)
That's a big sign. Most unusual building facade
handsomedan1967 (30 months ago | reply)
Nice! that was a RAD building. They don't make a lot of cool stuff anymore. Did you see that article last week about a photographer from Detroit? Takes mostly pictures of decrepit theaters and such in his area. gripping imagery
mrambojr (29 months ago | reply)
Back in the late 1980's-early 1990's, Lionel Kiddie City was located in the Robinson building.