The restoration/renovation of the PSFS building was a combined effort between Bower Lewis Thrower Architects and Daroff Design -- both of Philadelphia, PA. Planning for the project required careful attention to the rich historical value of the structure, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This first modernist skyscraper was the work of George Howe -- a distinguished Philadelphia architect -- and a young Swiss architect, William Lescaze.
With the design of the PSFS building, the architects introduced the tower- and podium- form, which inspired much of the 20th century commercial high-rise development. The "T" form of the building rises 30 stories above a granite- and glass-faced podium. According to the original plans, the upper levels of the tower were for tenanted office space with entry off 12th Street to an elevator lobby -- forming the bar of the "T." A 50-foot-high escalator provided access to the bank on the second floor from the lobby off Market Street. At the time, the ground floor was used as retail space.