Philadelphia Arcade Association

The Philadelphia Arcade, a former historic site, was designed by Peter A. Browne and built in 1826/1827. The Philadelphia Arcade Association, formed by Browne in 1825, erected the building, John Redman Coxe served as President of the association initially.

It was the first building arcade of its kind in the United States and was an imitation of such buildings in Europe. The Arcade was a three-story white marble building. Initially, there were small shops on the 1st floor, offices and later clubs on the 2nd floor, and Peale's Museum on the 3rd floor. It was located on N. Chestnut St. between 6th and 7th streets and had two arcades extending to Carpenter Street in the rear.