Walk out of Suburban Station, look up, and you’re basically staring at the pulse of Philadelphia’s business district. Most people just call it the Suburban Station Building, or perhaps the One Penn Center building if they're feeling fancy, but 1701 John F Kennedy Blvd Philadelphia Pennsylvania 19103 is way more than just a mailing address for lawyers and tech startups. It’s a literal Art Deco masterpiece that has survived the rise and fall of the Pennsylvania Railroad, the total transformation of Center City, and the shift to remote work that left other office buildings looking like ghost towns.
If you've spent any time in Philly, you know this corner. It’s chaotic. It’s loud. It smells like soft pretzels and diesel exhaust. But it’s also undeniably the center of the universe for thousands of commuters every single day.
The Weird History of 1701 JFK Boulevard
The building wasn't always called 1701 JFK Blvd. Back in 1930, when it first opened its doors, it was the flagship of the Pennsylvania Railroad’s ambitious expansion. Designed by the architectural firm Graham, Anderson, Probst & White—the same geniuses responsible for Chicago’s Union Station—this building was meant to scream power. It’s got that classic "Wedding Cake" setback style that was all the rage in the early 20th century.
Honestly, the limestone facade is incredible if you actually stop to look at it instead of rushing to catch the Paoli/Thorndale line.
There’s a funny thing about this spot. It sits right on top of Suburban Station. This means the building literally vibrates. You’re sitting in a high-rise office, maybe on the 16th floor, and you can feel the faint rumble of a SEPTA train pulling into platform 4. For some, it’s annoying. For others, it’s just the heartbeat of the city.
In the mid-2000s, it underwent a massive $26 million renovation. That wasn't just about fresh paint. They had to modernize a giant that was built before the internet, before air conditioning was standard, and before anyone knew what "open-concept coworking" meant. Silverstein Properties, the same folks heavily involved with the World Trade Center in New York, took ownership and really leaned into the building's identity as a transit-oriented hub.
What’s Actually Inside?
People always ask what’s in there. It’s a mix. A weird, eclectic mix.
You’ve got the heavy hitters like the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, which occupies a massive chunk of the square footage. Then you have the smaller law firms, the consultants, and the non-profits. It’s one of those buildings where you might see a city official in a suit standing in line for coffee next to a college student heading to a coding bootcamp.
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The retail level is its own beast.
Because 1701 John F Kennedy Blvd Philadelphia Pennsylvania 19103 is connected to the underground concourse, the "lobby" experience extends far beyond the front doors. You can walk in from JFK Boulevard and, without ever feeling a drop of rain, end up blocks away at the Comcast Center or the Ritz-Carlton. It’s the closest thing Philly has to a subterranean city.
- The Concourse Level: It’s gritty, sure. But it’s functional. You’ve got Dunkin’, shoe repair shops, and those little newsstands that feel like relics from 1985.
- The Office Floors: High ceilings. Massive windows. Because of the way the building is stepped, many offices have weirdly cool views of Love Park or the sprawling construction of the newer glass towers nearby.
- Accessibility: You’re literal steps from the Market-Frankford Line, the Broad Street Line, and every Regional Rail train. If you work here, you don't own a car. Or if you do, it stays in the suburbs.
Why Location Is Everything (and Why it Struggles)
Let’s be real for a second. 1701 JFK Blvd is in a tough spot competition-wise. It’s sitting right across the street from the Comcast Technology Center. That’s a literal glass behemoth. It makes the limestone of One Penn Center look a bit... dusty.
But there’s a charm to the "old Philly" vibe here that the glass towers can’t replicate.
The neighborhood, known mostly as the Penn Center submarket, was actually the first major "edge city" development in a downtown area in the United States. It was the brainchild of Edmund Bacon (yes, Kevin Bacon's dad). He wanted to create a "city within a city." While some critics say the concrete plazas of JFK Blvd can feel a bit cold in the winter, the sheer density of humans makes it vibrant.
You have the Municipal Services Building right there. You have City Hall a block away. You have Love Park across the street. If you are doing business with the city, 1701 John F Kennedy Blvd Philadelphia Pennsylvania 19103 is where you want to be.
Logistics for the Modern Commuter
If you're planning to visit or looking at office space here, you need to understand the parking situation. It’s a nightmare. Honestly, just don't drive. There are garages nearby, like the one at 16th and Arch, but they’ll charge you an arm and a leg.
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Instead, use the "Station Connection."
The building has its own entrance directly to the train platforms. This is a game-changer in February when the wind is whipping off the Schuylkill River and hitting the canyon of JFK Blvd. You can jump off your train, grab a bagel, and be at your desk in five minutes without putting on a coat.
Addressing the Common Misconceptions
One thing people get wrong? They think it’s just an annex for the train station. It’s not. It’s a privately owned, Class A office building. It just happens to have a very famous basement.
Another misconception is that it’s "outdated." While the exterior is historic, the interior infrastructure has been gutted and replaced multiple times. We’re talking fiber optics, modern HVAC, and LEED certifications. It’s a "green" building wrapped in a 90-year-old stone shell.
The Real Value of 1701 JFK Blvd Today
In a world where everyone is working from home, why does this building stay occupied?
It’s the "collision factor." In the tech world, they talk about how innovation happens when people bump into each other. At 1701 John F Kennedy Blvd Philadelphia Pennsylvania 19103, you are constantly bumping into people. It’s the transit hub. It’s the center of the legal district. It’s where the city’s health department manages the wellness of 1.5 million people.
It’s the sheer convenience. You can meet a client for lunch at Chops Restaurant (which is right there), walk them to their train, and be back at your desk before your next Zoom call starts.
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Navigating the Building Like a Pro
If you’re heading there for an appointment, here’s the deal:
The main entrance is on JFK Blvd, but there are multiple ways in. If you’re coming from the train, don't go up to the street level just to walk back into the front door. Look for the signs for "One Penn Center" inside the station concourse. There’s an elevator bank right there that takes you directly into the lobby.
Security is tight. Like most Center City high-rises, you’re going to need a photo ID to get past the front desk. They use the electronic gate system now, so don't expect to just wander up to the 20th floor to check out the view.
The Future of the Address
Philadelphia is changing. The "West Market" area is becoming more residential. We’re seeing old office buildings converted into luxury apartments. Will 1701 JFK Blvd go that way?
Probably not.
Its connection to the rail system is too valuable for commercial use. It remains one of the most stable office assets in the city precisely because you don't need a car to get there. As long as people are commuting from Bucks County, Montgomery County, and Delaware County, this building will have a purpose.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re a business owner looking for a spot that your employees won't hate commuting to, this is it. But before you sign a lease or even just head over for a meeting, do these three things:
- Check the SEPTA schedule: Seriously. The building’s greatest strength is the train. If the regional rail is having a "day" (which happens), your commute changes instantly.
- Explore the Concourse: Don't just stay on the street level. Go downstairs. Check out the "underground" route to the Comcast Center. It’s the best way to move through the city during a rainstorm.
- Look at the Art Deco details: Take thirty seconds to look at the bronze work around the elevators and the ornate carvings on the exterior. It’s a piece of history that still functions as a modern machine.
1701 John F Kennedy Blvd Philadelphia Pennsylvania 19103 isn't just a point on a map. It’s the anchor of the city’s skyline, a survivor of the railroad era, and still one of the most practical places to do business in the entire Northeast Corridor.