Rittenhouse Stables, a Peek into Old Philadelphia in the 1800s.

Photo:  Phillymag.com

Rittenhouse Square is one of William Penn's original five open-spaced parks that he and his surveyor, Thomas Holme planned during the late 17th Century in central Philadelphia.  Originally known as the Southwest Square, this square became surrounded by brickyards as the area's clay terrain was better suited for kilns than crops in the 1700s.  In 1825, the square was renamed in honor of David Rittenhouse (1732-1796), a descendant of the first paper-maker in Philadelphia, who was a brilliant astronomer, clock-maker, and patriotic leader of the Revolutionary era.

Rittenhouse Square has always denoted quality.  The first house facing the square was built in 1840 at 1811 Walnut Street (click to see) by James Harper, a merchant and brick manufacturer who had recently retired from the U.S. Congress.  He bought up most of the north frontage and subdivided the property into generously proportioned building lots.  The 2000 block of Rittenhouse Square was the address for the neighborhood's equine transport.  The Harper House became the home of the exclusive Rittenhouse Club in 1901.  

There was a building boom in the 1850s.  In the second half of the 19th Century, the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood became the most fashionable residential section of the city, and home of Philadelphia's "Victorian aristocracy."  Some mansions still survive the streets facing the square, although most of the grand homes gave way to apartment building living after 1913.

Photo:  Plan Philly.com, WHYY & Newsworks.org

Rittenhouse Square Stables still stand at 2023-2025 Rittenhouse.  A beautiful terra cotta horse head pokes out from the arch above the second story loading doors.  The building was erected around 1881 as a three-story brick "messuage" according to the historical files and was developed into a stable and coach house in 1884.  There was also a stable at 2049 Rittenhouse that was built in 1870.  In the 2023-2025 stable, larger doors were put into place to enable vehicles to go in and out since the stable had become a garage for the more affluent residents.  This building does not have a history of being a firehouse. Citations had been issued due to the owner allowing the stable to deteriorate since the 2000 block is part of the Rittenhouse Fitler Residential Historical District, designated in 1995.  Loose walls, missing bricks labeled the building "unsafe" in 2010.  And later on complaints that significant and unique brick and brownstone cornice deterioration was taking place, an issuance of maintenance code violations and demolition by neglect was put into place.  

Façade Shoring in Preparation for Demolition
Photo:  James Jennings



In September, 2015, a flurry of construction activity as preservation / refurbishment of Rittenhouse Square Stables began to take place by contractor, Bottos Construction, out of Broomall, Pennsylvania.  The former stable, located at 2023-25 Rittenhouse Square near 20th Street, made of terra cotta and intricate brick work, is in the process of becoming six apartment units.  Other neighboring stable row buildings fared much better through time.  The former carriage houses at 2036 and 2040 were transformed into beautiful homes, with entrances and other features that retain the character of their original use.  In the 1920s, the stable at 2049 (click to see) Rittenhouse had a renovation, transforming the carriage entrance into a French-style storefront.  This was keeping with the times when the street became a more fashionable shopping corridor.  The second story loading door and pulley support remain, but needs a 21st century restoration.

We look forward to seeing the finished façade and maybe see an example of the dwellings from Bottos Construction, and will share.