PROJECT  Trumbauer's at The Union League of Philadelphia

ARCHITECT  The H. Chambers Company

LOCATION  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US​

PROJECT COMPLETION DATE  11/20/2023

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN TEAM  Lee Hyden, Jason Clapp, David Witt
OWNER/CLIENT  The Union League of Philadelphia (Jeff McFadden, General Manager)
CONTRACTOR/CONSTRUCTION MANAGER  Clemens Construction / Stephen Pouppirt, President
PHOTOGRAPHER  T. Whitney Cox Photography
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
CIVIL ENGINEER 
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER  O’Donnell & Naccarato / Anthony Naccarato, President
MECHANICAL ENGINEER  Bala Consulting Engineers / James Gardler, Jr., Vice President
ELECTRICAL ENGINEER  Bala Consulting Engineers / James Gardler, Jr., Vice President
CONSULTANT  Food Service - Next Step Design (Annapolis, MD)
CONSULTANT  Elevator Consultant - Lerch Bates (Exton, PA)
CONSULTANT  Acoustic Consultant - Metropolitan Acoustics (Philadelphia, PA)
CONSULTANT  Lighting Design - The Lighting Practice (Philadelphia, PA)
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SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT  
While reviewing aging mechanical systems on the roof, our team envisioned a new rooftop addition that would feature a restaurant perched atop the historic building with an unmatched view of Center City.

Built in 1911, this five-story Beaux-Arts annex building was co-designed by Horace Trumbauer and Julian Abele, the first African American graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s architecture program in 1902. Though often overshadowed in the historical record, Abele’s contributions to this and many iconic buildings have been increasingly acknowledged in recent scholarly work. The reinterpretation of the Annex’s design by the current architecture team respectfully honors both Trumbauer’s and Abele’s legacy. Listed on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places in 1957, the building was also added to the National Historic Register in 1979, leading to an intricate approval process required for this project through the Philadelphia Historical Commission.

The new 10,800 SF indoor-outdoor rooftop dining venue adds a sixth story to the historic building. The scale of the building and visibility of the contemporary addition from surrounding streets were key concerns. Height and weight restrictions prompted the team to develop innovative structural systems within the parapet. The design team studied and digitally modeled classical proportions—drawing from entablature logic, symmetry principles, and cornice rhythm—to seamlessly embed the rooftop volume into the building’s architectural DNA and refined roofline details to minimize visibility from the street level.

Sustainable limestone wall cladding and slate terrace pavers mimic the original building materials. Window proportions reflect the original architectural design. Black metal railings recall the wrought iron railing design in the original 1900s Trumbauer sketch, though slightly modified to incorporate the client’s logo as a subtle and elegant detail.

The central skylight, which mimics the shape of the existing arched eyebrow dormers, floods the interior spaces with natural light. A custom art installation hangs from the ceiling and is comprised of shapes inspired by Corinthian architectural elements. The reflective properties of the anodized aluminum material create a unique display of moving shadows across the skylight atrium walls, transforming the aesthetic as light changes throughout the day.

Functional elements are discreetly incorporated throughout the interiors. Moulding details conceal air distribution within the recessed coffers of the ceiling; the exterior cornice detail of the new roof is inspired by the exterior secondary cornice; data and electrical receptacles are hidden behind booths or under the bar.

The central bar area flows seamlessly to the adjacent upscale dining space, which contains a mixture of banquette and table seating. Meals are prepared in a state-of-the-art commercial kitchen visible from the dining area and bar. Lighted wine displays separate the bar area from a private dining space flooded with rich blue hues, wood details, and brass accents.

Expansive windows surround all three sides of the rooftop addition, maximizing exterior views from every seat. An operable window wall creates an opportunity for a unique indoor-outdoor experience leading from the bar to the outdoor terrace, which spans the full width of the rooftop with direct access from all dining spaces.

JURY COMMENTS (If applicable)

MEDIA FOR DOWNLOAD
Project PDF

IMAGES (Captions and Photographer Credit)
1. Central Skylight & Bar / T. Whitney Cox Photography
2. Rooftop Addition / T. Whitney Cox Photography
3. Central Skylight & Bar / T. Whitney Cox Photography
4. Banquette Dining / T. Whitney Cox Photography
5. Private Dining / T. Whitney Cox Photography
6. Central Skylight & Bar at Dusk / T. Whitney Cox Photography
7. Operable Window Wall with Terrace Access / T. Whitney Cox Photography
8. Outdoor Terrace / T. Whitney Cox Photography