The Victory Building on 10th & Chestnut, was designed by architects Henry Fernbach and Phillip W. Roos and built in 1873. At the time, it served as the office of the New York Life Insurance Company. In 1890, the insurance company decided to expand and added three more stories to the building, topping it with a mansard roof in the Second Empire style.
It was purchased by Sam Rappaport in 1974, who allowed it to deteriorate with plans to demolish the building in the early 90s. Architectural preservationists stepped in, and the building was sold and renovated. It’s one of the jewels of Chestnut Street!
Glad they managed to save it!
Me too, it’s an absolutely gorgeous building!