The Macy's at The Wanamaker Building - Exploring a Historic Department Store Before it Closes

John Wanamaker opened his department store in Center City Philadelphia in 1876. It was considered the first modern department store and the first to feature price tags, telephones, and electric lighting. Although Wanamaker's closed as a brand, the store remained open until present day as a Macy's. It houses the world's largest pipe organ as well as giant bronze eagle sculpture. It was also the filming location of the 1980's romantic comedy Mannequin featuring Kim Cattrall and James Spader. Join me and lets explore this beautiful iconic building while we still can!
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[@JustSomeGuy86]

Thank you, Ray, excellent video. I have so many wonderful memories of the Wanamaker flagship store. I am a historian, organist, and vintage department store lover, so...yeah, it's all here. Take care!

[@RayOutThere]

It's a place like none other!

[@pamelaaverrett5848]

I’ve been waiting on someone to cover this building in detail. Thanks Ray!!

[@RayOutThere]

You're welcome!

[@nicolevogelaere8820]

4:18 the double snakes are referring to medicine/pharmacy ⚕ You deserve many more subscribers. The organ is very remarkable to see in a department store.

[@RayOutThere]

Thank you, I thought it had something to do with that

[@lohphat]

It's the "Caduceus" symbol (there's a wiki page for it) used to represent medicine or logistics. It's thought the earliest Greek depiction referred to how Guinea worm disease (Dracunculiasis) was treated by removing embedded worms under the skin by rolling them up on a stick to extract them. There are videos on YT showing these extractions. Do not witch after eating....🤮

[@JamieWilliamson-r6u]

Thank you so much for sharing this. I have never had the chance to visit this building, and unfortunately live 7 hours away. Making it there before it closes is unlikely, so I appreciate the details you captured here.

[@TeknBolt]

Wow, I've never heard of this building! I've been to Center City before, but I've never had a chance to really tour the place. This building is amazing the entrance is huge! It's so weird to see Macy's in a classic architectural setting. That was an awesome tour thanks, Ray!

[@RayOutThere]

Thanks for watching man!!!

[@auapplemac1976]

The Macys in NYC has the same feel, but not nearly as grand. I worked in Wanamakers during summer break my senior year in high school. Their Christmas show in the main court was magnificent! The platform in front of the organ was set up for a fountain water show as the holiday lights strung behind it twinkled. Crowds formed to watch this annual event. The elevators were just as grand with shiny brass doors, and elevator operators calling out the floors and departments on each. I do hope the building is preserved. Lovely memories.

[@johnchambers8528]

I am glad you got to see at least part of then old Wanamaker’s department store. I grew up in Philadelphia and it was an annual stop at Christmas time to see the Christmas lights show and at that time visit the huge toy department that if I remember was on the eighth floor. They even had a monorail ride that kids could ride and look down over the toy department. I had a large train platform at home and a.ways liked to see their train area that was really done nice at Christmas. I even got lucky when the Wanamaker’s store was closing and got to buy some expensive Lionel passenger cars for half price to add to my trains at home. By the way those staircases you admired actually were accessible to the public in the Wanamaker’s era and served every floor. They even had their own post office on that first balcony area that many people used. In its full operation you could buy almost anything for yourself or home and it was a true department store. Of all the department stores it always carried the best of anything they sold compared to the other downtown department stores. Thanks for visiting Philadelphia and getting to see the end of an era of large department stores. The latest I heard they do plan on keeping some type of retail operation on the lower floors but it most likely will not be any one store occupying the retail area.

[@laemoniadaemonia]

So beautiful and the intricate designs are amazing. Definitely need to make my way down there before it closes! I loved this, very cool, Ray.

[@RayOutThere]

Thank you, I hope you have a chance to make it!

[@BenChod3]

I’ve been going to court down there for years. Moved here over a decade ago and just found out the filmed that movie Mannequin in this store. Sadly first time I went inside was this past week. Thanks for doing this segment I took some photos but you make the best videos for preservation purposes.

[@RayOutThere]

I appreciate that!

[@billd399]

I agree.

[@cayden009]

very cool. you should visit the macys store in New York City.

[@RayOutThere]

I've been there before, I should go back and make a video

[@adnywest]

shoutout to those wooden escalators. lol

[@BlueJay6441]

Great video. I have visited this store a few times but never stopped to appreciate the details in the architecture, as you did. So glad you highlighted them for us, those staircases are so amazing. I'm also so glad you caught some of the organ music at the end! Philly is such a cool city. Hope they keep this building open to the public somehow.

[@RayOutThere]

me too!!

[@dylansousa5571]

Ray this Macy is so beautiful and it sad to see it closes

[@RayOutThere]

It really is

[@george.h5530]

Thanks for another awesome video. This was the first Christmas season I didn’t get over to the light show

[@RayOutThere]

I hope they still have it

[@user-iamRobinV68]

Thank you for this Ray! Would never be able to get down to Philadelphia. Such a nice building!😊😊😊

[@adnywest]

love this crazy building. going to miss it. best parking garage in philadelphia! 🤣

[@RayOutThere]

It was tough to park in it but at least it wasn't too expensive

[@MarieWoodward-fs8pq]

Hi Ray. What I gather the symbol was for "Harold's Wand". Such a beautiful building. I don't think they can destroy this building either. Once the historical society deeds something they can not destroy it. Comforting to know this will live on. Thank you Ray for sharing❤I believe the big things that you called a jar are probably urns

[@RayOutThere]

I just hope people will still be able to see the organ

[@MichaelAStanhope]

You show the pipes of the Organ, but funny thing is, those pipes that you see are actually just a facade, they aren't operational, they are just for show. The entire organ is hidden in the walls of the building. Its a beautiful thing to hear when they are playing it. Its a shame that Macy's is closing this store, however, I feel that the citizens and govt of Philly won't allow it to totally close. And I almost guarantee you that if Macy's could have, they would have modernized the entire building years ago when they took over. The main reason it still looks like it does is because its a listed historic property and they aren't allowed to do major modifications to the building! Macy's however was very instrumental in restoring the organ to its current working state, i'm not sure how much it cost, but I know they donated ALOT into its restoration!

[@RayOutThere]

I really hope that the organ stays accessible to the public

[@MichaelAStanhope]

@@RayOutThere Me too. I know the Friends of the Wanamaker Organ, the non-profit that deals with the organ, is working on something I am sure. Im glad you were able to hear it played, that is likely the last time I will hear it played for a long time. I used to visit every year for the Christmas Lights show they put on, but I haven't been able to for the last 2 years, and truthfully regret not making time to go last year. Im sure the Friends will work something out with the owners of the building. It would be really nice to see some other retail in there since thats what the building was built for, but only time will tell on that front.

[@donnafromnyc]

​@MichaelAStanhope My understanding is that they want to condo most of the building floors, but what to do with the retail and the rest of the building I don't know.

[@Shinycelebi]

​@donnafromnyc It's rumored to become a food hall where the Organ is and use the rest of the lower floors for sub-retail.

[@Shinycelebi]

​@@MichaelAStanhopeLast time I spoke to one of the guys when they were just starting the closing sale they didn't have anything planned yet. Once the store closes they won't be permitted back into the building and that whoever takes over they hope takes care of the organ and invites them back.

[@wdgbirmingham2]

I've never been to Philadelphia. However, this breaks my heart 😔 I hate the 21rst Century...

[@VinnytotheK]

Been meaning to stop in after work since I've never been there. Gotta hurry up and do it!

[@RayOutThere]

Better go soon!!

[@lisamann8521]

Do they have any plans for the future of this building as of yet? It's beautiful!

[@larrybailey1896]

OMG ..WOW !!!!!;;

[@marknolte2686]

There was a ballroom on the third floor, and the second organ is in that room. It was actually behind the Christmas tree as you saw in the hallway. It was unlocked so you could wander in there.

[@lohphat]

Keep in mind Macy's is just the tenant of the building. The Eagle and Organ are protected landmarks so any new tenant will have to maintain them.

[@RayOutThere]

@@lohphat That's true, but will they still be accessible to the public?

[@lohphat]

@@RayOutThere Well it is a retail space. I would expect any new tenant (H&M or Nike or whomever wants the location) will be big enough to keep the space open. It's possible developers might be able to turn the building into office space but that's unlikely due to the modifications needed. We'll see.

[@johnchambers8528]

@@lohphatThose unused upper floors are already used for office space but due to reduced demand many offices are empty at this time.

[@rl8429]

Reading Terminal Market seems like a good spot to check out next time

[@RayOutThere]

@@rl8429 I actually went there afterwards and got food. It was so packed with people though, I wouldn't have been able to film it

[@rl8429]

@ ah yeah I remember going once & it was also packed

[@billd399]

I videoed it from the outside, It is the building used in movie mannequin.

[@brianstarlitakilpatrick1589]

FYI, the Crystal Tea Room is just a ballroom for formal events, not an actual tea shop 😉

[@butchbrown5283]

Shame when they closed the in-store restaurant, Crystal Tea Room, carved marble columns with crystal chandeliers for lighting, breakfast lunch and afternoon tea was served. That is the world's largest fully functional organ, the world's largest is in Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City but not all parts are playable, it's in the process of being restored.

[@johnchambers8528]

The crystal Tea room is still used but only for rental functions.

[@Christineli-j3c]

Apartments would be cool and down Stares coffee Shops and little Shops a Food Shop doc Offices and a cvc‘s or wallgreens! Maybe a Restaurant or two…

[@toplaycool21]

Any news on what will replace it? Will 3 stores occupy the 3 floors or will Boscov's take over the store?

[@johnchambers8528]

The last I heard they do plan on using the lower floors for retail but it will depend on who they can attract t,o operate in center city. I doubt Boscov’s will come in even though ,they do operate some downtown stores in the northeast part of Pennsylvania. The rent and high taxes would be high for a mid cost department store like Boscov’s .

[@MoviemaniaNick]

Looks like an old Church.

[@RayOutThere]

It really does

[@ATLcentury334]

Macys sucks.

[@vistabadboi]

sad !

[@socksal]

Beautiful building. Macy's is trash.

[@jackietatum2245]

damn! The employees are so over it, they are just basically throwing stuff down that stairwell?! You should go down there! Obviously no one cares!

[@NormaLee4]

Sadly only the exterior of the building will be protected. The interior can be gutted, even with it’s landmark status, from my understanding.

[@danielmkubacki]

No the grand court, organ and Eagle are protected. They can not be changed or removed.

[@NormaLee4]

@ if good, thank you! The Lord and Taylor in Manhattan was gutted, even with the landmark status. That was why I was concerned.

[@rachelrivera91]

😢

[@marknolte2686]

There was a ballroom on the third floor, and the second organ is in that room. It was actually behind the Christmas tree as you saw in the hallway. It was unlocked so you could wander in there.