Designed by Frank R. Watson (1859-1940), the 6-story building known as the White Palace at 30-34 S. 2nd Street (1888-1889) is a significant example of the Queen Anne style. It sports a cast iron façade, a variety of stylized geometric and organic ornamentation, and a centered steeply-pitched gabled parapet that originally included a rose window and finial. Watson designed many church and church-related buildings in his career, but few commercial buildings.
It was listed on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places on October 7, 1976 and currently houses a Fine Wine & Liquor store on the first floor and apartments above, called Trotter's Alley. Originally a department store, it was called The White Palace, taking its name from the stark-white painted, cast-iron facade of the building. The building was last renovated in 1983.
1850 litho, previous building 1972
at the site
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