Revitalizing East Market Street: A History 1957-2024

The revitalization of East Market Street and the construction of the commuter rail tunnel were Philadelphia’s most expensive urban renewal projects in the late 20th century. The planning of the project extended over 25 years before the second and final phase was completed. During that period many prominent architects contributed to the development of the projects, including Louis Kahn, Romaldo Giurgola, Skidmore Owings and Merrill, Gerald Cope, and John Bower. When opened, The Gallery at Market East was for a time the most successful urban shopping center in the country. 

John Andrew Gallery began his career in Philadelphia in 1964 working with Edmund Bacon at the City Planning Commission. He was responsible for the 1964 design of the Market East Project. In 1976, he became the first director of the Office of Housing and Community Development and in 1978 chairman of the board of the Market East Development Corporation. In that capacity he oversaw the design and developer negotiations for phase 2 of The Gallery at Market East. He is the author of the guidebook, Philadelphia Architecture a guide to the city.