Wanamaker's Empty Grand Court Clears Dining Plans
Philadelphia shoppers and Center City neighbors can expect new food and retail options as the 30,000-square-foot space moves toward a 2028 reopening.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Commercial
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Should Philadelphia prioritize redeveloping historic downtown buildings like the Wanamaker into dining and housing?
Philadelphia's zoning board on Wednesday, Oct. 29, approved food, beverage, and retail concepts for the Grand Court of the Wanamaker Building, a 30,000-square-foot space that has largely sat empty since Macy's closed last year.
Why it matters
Filling a long-vacant anchor space in a 1911 landmark signals that Center City commercial real estate is being repositioned around dining and mixed-use living rather than department-store retail. For Philadelphians, a revived Grand Court means more nearby options and a steadier neighborhood anchor.
The zoning board approved food, beverage, and retail concepts for the 30,000-square-foot Grand Court on Wednesday, Oct. 29. The Crystal Tea Room is already open, while the Wanamaker organ and holiday light show are offline this season.
The players
Alterra Property Group
Developer planning a dining hub in the Grand Court of the Wanamaker Building, a Philadelphia landmark.
Philadelphia Historical Commission
City body whose approval is required for changes to the Grand Court, the Wanamaker organ, and the eagle statue.
The details
Zoning approval lets developers move into final planning to set layouts, choose tenants, and fit the concepts around the building's historic features. Any changes to the Grand Court, the organ, or the eagle statue still require sign-off from the Philadelphia Historical Commission. Scaffolding is up around the 12-story building and construction is underway on the upper structure, which will include 622 apartments and a rooftop pool. A reintroduced skylight is planned to restore natural light the building has lacked since World War II.
Timeline
1911: Wanamaker Building completed.
Last year (2025): Macy's closure leaves the Grand Court largely empty.
Oct. 29, 2026: Zoning board approves Grand Court food and retail concepts.
End of October 2026: Scaffolding erected and upper-floor construction underway.
2028: Developers aim to reopen the completed building.
The Home Front
The Wanamaker Building's listing on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places means its redevelopment must clear Historical Commission review before alterations take effect. That layered approval process is typical of landmark-building reuse in older Philadelphia commercial districts.
If you live or work near Center City, watch for announcements on which dining and retail tenants sign on to the Grand Court, since that mix will shape the nearby food and shopping options. Renters and buyers considering the new apartment units in the upper building can track the 2028 target reopening date.
The takeaway
Reuse of landmark buildings like the Wanamaker tends to move slowly through layered approvals, so plan around timelines rather than immediate openings. The developers are targeting 2028 for the completed building, so check back on the project as tenant announcements and planning milestones come out.
What happens next
Developers are expected to move into final planning stages for the Grand Court, with layouts and tenant mix still to be set.
Further reading
For more on how space like this is being reused, see Commercial listings and redevelopment coverage across Philadelphia.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 102.9 WMGK.
Live Poll
Should Philadelphia prioritize redeveloping historic downtown buildings like the Wanamaker into dining and housing?
