The Passport Office in the Robert N.C. Nix, Sr. Federal Building in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was recognized with a Construction Award for Rehabilitation by Preservation Pennsylvania.
Since 1979, these awards have honored exceptional preservation work taking place across the commonwealth. The project will be honored at the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Awards ceremony on October 24.
Constructed in 1937, the Nix Building is listed on the National Register for Historic Structures and is historically significant as a representative example of a relatively large, federally-funded, Depression-era project. What is now the Passport Office was previously used as a U.S. Post Office. The renovations required to transform this space included architectural, electrical, mechanical, structural, plumbing, security, fire and life safety, and historic preservation.
“When the Post Office closed in the Nix Building, one of R3’s immediate concerns was how we might keep the ornamental postal lobby open to the public,” said R3 Historic Preservation Specialist Donna Andrews. “It is one of the key historic spaces in the building where public access had been unfettered while the Post Office was open. When the Passports Office expressed interest in the formal Postal space, we were elated, as we could use the lobby for security screening and waiting areas and retain public access to this important space. This project was a win-win-win for GSA, Passport, and preservation.”
GSA relocated the U.S. Department of State Passport Office to the Nix Federal Building from the U.S. Custom House in Philadelphia. GSA ensured that repairs and renovations restored historic elements original to the Art Deco style building, including a marble countertop, transaction windows, lighted signage and terrazzo flooring. Only minor changes were made to the historical lobby to maintain the integrity of the original design. A new large training room was constructed to support nationwide training. Renovations also included employee restrooms, a privacy suite for nursing mothers, a lunch room and break room. The project was completed in September 2022.
This article is part of the Fall issue of the FOCUS newsletter. Please visit the Focus Newsletter page to read our newsletter.
U.S. General Services Administration
