Pictures of Pretty Condos: The Barclay Condominiums

The Barclay Condominiums are more than just a collection of some of Center City’s toniest condos – the historic building that contains them is nothing less than a local landmark.

Dignified and gorgeous, this is a building anyone would love to call home.

This stately 1920s landmark has towered over Rittenhouse Square for the better part of a century, first as a hotel and then as condos. Between its pervasive Pre-War elegance and large unit sizes, the Barclay is a perennially-popular choice for discerning Center City residents.

Simpler times: the former Barclay Hotel looms majestically over a much quieter Rittenhouse Square in this undated archival photo. The building’s profile has remained unchanged.

The Barclay’s storied history begins in late 1929, when it was opened to great fanfare as the city’s most opulent hotel. By the 1970s, changing hands and mismanagement resulted in the building falling into disrepair. It wasn’t until 1999, when the current owners took the reins, that this grande dame of Philadelphia’s most-celebrated square was restored to full dignity.

When renovating the former Barclay Hotel at the turn of the millennium, the builders turned to photos of the hotel’s heyday for inspiration. Period details abound in today’s Barclay Condos.

One hundred and fifty units are spread over twenty-two floors with four elevators, each modeled to the specifications of the 1999 owners. Consequently, each unit is unique and original in its own way! As the units were built to suit, some ended up quite spacious – a rarity in the Rittenhouse condo game.

One example of a luxury condo at the Barclay shows off some of the building’s signature touches: period fireplace and lighting, along with stately built-ins and gleaming wood floors.

There are a handful of seven-figure nests within the building, featuring lavish extras like period trim, marble, soaring ceilings, and closets big enough that they practically have their own ZIP codes.

Make a date with the past in this exquisitely restored bathroom, which featured a period bathtub (with modern fixtures and plumbing… best of both worlds!), molding, windows, vanities, and tile. The result is a singularly enchanting powder room unlike any other you’ve seen before.

At the same time, many owners chose to retain original features, lending their homes eclectic, gorgeous historic charm. Most units are flats, but some are multi-storied. The smallest unit is just over 700 square feet; the largest is pushing 6,000 square feet!

Another of the contemporary images utilized by the building firm that updated the Barclay Hotel.

An old building need not equal fuddy-duddy interiors. This example of one Barclay Condo kitchen is minimalist and modern, in stark contrast to the baroque opulence of the Barclay’s Pre-War common spaces.

The common areas within the Barclay are a treat for the eyes, transporting visitors back to the days of old-fashioned glamor and graciousness.

Effortless glamor is the name of the game in the lobby.

Gleaming panels of inlaid wood, delicate crystal chandeliers, elaborately coffered ceilings, and light fixtures set in lavish moldings bespeak timeless elegance and tasteful luxury. Living here is truly an experience to savor each and every day.

The loving attention to preserved historic details is seen in this public hallway at the Barclay Condominiums.

Amenities at the Barclay include a 24/7 doorman and concierge service, car service, a pool, an on-site gym, and private balconies. Its perch on the edge of Rittenhouse Squares earns it a walking score of 98 (almost perfect!), with some of Philadelphia’s premier shopping, dining, and nightlife within a few steps of the front door.