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All work was done in a store workshop in a 12th floor attic by a staff of The organ as seen and heard today was finished in with an astounding ranks and 28, pipes. Organists from around the world travel to Philadelphia just to hear and play the worlds largest functioning pipe organ.

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Two smaller organs also inhabited the building at one time. A rank pipe organ occupied the second floor Greek Hall until the s when it was replaced by a Hammond Electric organ. During the holiday season, the organ took center stage as part of a light show held in the center court. Starting in , elaborate displays formed what was called the Christmas Cathedral.

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Carols were accompanied by the Enchanted Fountains in front of the organ. Based on the fountains of St. The Pageant of Lights changed each year under the direction of store event promoter Fredrick Yost. Rapid suburbanization in the s led to the development of branch stores and later shopping malls. A plan was hatched in the late s for an ambitious redevelopment of Market East including hotels, offices, a train station to replace the Reading Terminal at Twelfth and Market as well as parking garages for suburbanites and tourists.

It was not until the late s and early 80s that the plan was somewhat realized in the form of the Gallery and related developments. By then Lit Brothers, another Philadelphia retail stalwart, had gone out of business. Penney opened as well. However the Wanamaker family had little desire to make significant investment, and they sold their interest in the store to Carter Hawley Hale on October 8, Detailed mosaics on the walls and ceiling of the entryways still bear the initials of John Wanamaker, despite many changes over the years Photo: At over 1 million square feet spanning 14 floors, the Center City location was considered too big for the market.

John Kusmiersky, head of U. An atrium was carved out starting at the ninth floor allowing daylight to penetrate the large floorplates and make the space appealing to high paying tenants. A conference center with two seat auditoriums was added as well. A new Juniper Street lobby provided entry to the new rooms.

To keep intrusions on the first floor viewed by the retailer as its most valuable space to a minimum, the office lobby was placed on the mezzanine level reached by escalators from Juniper Street. From there, tenants took the former store elevators to reach their offices starting on floor six. On the top floor, the area occupied by the legendary Tea Room was restored and reopened as an event space. Once home to the Budget store and service areas, the three basement levels now serve as parking Photo: Under the oversight of architect Ewing Cole, the Grand Court, the organ, and the eagle were left intact, along with architectural features such as columns and ceilings that were also cleaned and repainted.

Worn carpeting and linoleum gave way to marble, and all new fixtures were recessed away from the columns and railings to heighten their grandeur. In-store boutiques showcased luxury brands, and a restaurant opened on the fifth floor. The three-level basement that was formally used as a bargain store and service areas became a space parking garage; additional plans for an screen movie theater there never materialized.

The Selection

Still, the future was dim. The impending sale worried building owner John Kusmiersky and his partner John J. Two suitors for the store, Federated Department Stores and May Department Stores, wanted to renegotiate the lease if they were to keep shop in the building. Despite resistance from several members of the Strawbridge family, the sale went through on July 15, The Strawbridge name would grace the doors of the former John Wanamaker—ironic given the bitter rivalry just decades before.

And yet, profit was still hard to come by, but the company stated that they would continued to operate the store nevertheless in hopes for a turnaround.

Choice Makers

Yet another name change occurred with the Federated-May merger on February 28, Lundgren told the Inquirer in a profile last month. In conjunction with the Friends of the Wanamaker Organ, a nonprofit group founded in to oversee the preservation of the instrument, refurbishment of various components is underway.

Currently at , square feet the Wanamaker location is reportedly too small to keep up with growing sales volume and there have been talks of the store expanding, taking up the fourth and possibly the fifth floors. I own the twin brother of the immense grandfather clock that was once an inhabitant there.

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If anyone wants to see pics feel free to contact me at: Currently you have JavaScript disabled. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. Refresh and try again. Open Preview See a Problem? Thanks for telling us about the problem. Return to Book Page. Preview — Choice Makers by Eleanor Cocreham.

Choice Makers by Eleanor Cocreham. Hopelessly in love with her married boss abandons a successful career and endearing friendships to seek happiness elsewhere. Publisher playboy Marc Holloman: Avoids commitment until lovely Charlotte bursts into his life and forces him to confront self-erected barriers. Straight-laced father of six never cheats on his soul mate until an Charlotte Avery: Straight-laced father of six never cheats on his soul mate until an irresistible temptation reveals his family is not enough.

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To ask other readers questions about Choice Makers , please sign up. Lists with This Book. This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Outstanding love story, thank you Eleanor Cocreham!