The Georgian Revival building at 243 Chestnut St (NE corner) is the third documented building on that site. Kinsley & Co, Package Express occupied a building there that was demolished in 1870. From 1870 - 1897, Franklin Telegraph, Philadelphia Credit Bureau and others occupied a building designed by the firm of Fraser, Furness & Hewitt.
In 1897, the current building, designed by Wilson Eyre Jr, was built for Borie Brothers Bank, also known as the Borie Counting House, a private banking office. It was unusual to build a bank in Old City at that time, as the business and banking district had moved to the new downtown near the almost complete City Hall.
The building later became home for John E Hand & Sons Nautical Instrument Co. Paul Hertel & Co Insurance was there from 2005 - 2010, followed by Haru, a Sushi restaurant. The most recent occupant was another restaurant, The Little Lion, which opened in 2016 but had to close due to damage from a nearby fire in February 2018.
The building was added to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places in 1976.
2nd bldg at 243 Chestnut St, 1879 1899
1899, interior 1934 ad 1964
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