The Western Union Condominiums
1101 Locust St. Philadelphia, PA 19107
Snapshot
The Western Union At a Glance
| FEATURE | DETAIL |
|---|---|
| Year Converted |
2007 |
| Residences |
99 |
| Parking | Assigned, Garage |
| Pets | Pet Friendly |
Originally built in 1922 as the Western Union Telegraph Building, 1101 Locust Street was converted into luxury condominiums in 2007, with the residential redesign by Philadelphia architect Cecil Baker. The Condos offer a unique blend of old-world charm and modern living. While the building’s history is undeniable, the interiors offer a contemporary feel. The units themselves offer a variety of layout options.
Listings
Outline
The Western Union Building: Your Urban Oasis
Discover Luxury Living in the Heart of Philadelphia
The Western Union Condominiums at 1101 Locust Street combine the character of a historic Philadelphia building with the finishes and floor plans buyers expect from a more modern condominium conversion. Located in Washington Square West, the building puts residents within easy walking distance of restaurants, shopping, Jefferson, public transportation, and much of Center City.
Inside, the residences take advantage of the building’s original scale, with high ceilings, oversized windows, and open floor plans. Homes range from loft-style residences to larger penthouses, giving the building a broader variety of layouts than buyers might expect from the exterior. The combination of historic architecture and contemporary interiors is a big part of Western Union’s appeal. Rather than feeling like a traditional older Center City condominium, the residences tend to have a more open, urban feel while retaining the character of the original Western Union building. Condo fees include water and sewer, management, common-area maintenance and utilities, gas for cooking, doorman services, master insurance, trash removal, security, and grounds maintenance. Electricity within each residence is separately metered and billed to the owner through the condominium association.
Quick Sales Stats
- 2025: 12 Sales – Top Price $1,650,000
- 2024: 5 Sales – Top price $1,825,000
- 2023: 6 Sales – Top price $840,000
- 2022: 8 Sales – Top price $1,850,000
- 2021: 7 Sales – Top price $1,600,000
- 2020: 6 Sales – Top price $1,245,000
- 2019: 3 Sales – Top price $1,760,000
- 2018: 6 Sales – Top price $885,000
- 2017: 7 Sales – Top price $1,837,500
- 2016: 5 Sales – Top price $887,500
*Detailed sales data for every condo at The Western Union is available upon request.
Two Cents
The Western Union Building: A Neighborhood Transformation
The Western Union Building at 1101 Locust Street is a great example of how dramatically a property, and the neighborhood around it, can change. Decades ago, the building was essentially a vacant shell, with a 24-hour diner that probably saw more action at 3 AM than 3 PM. Today, architect Cecil Baker’s redesign has given the building an entirely different life as one of Washington Square West’s more distinctive condominium conversions.
The residences combine elements of the original building with a much more contemporary feel. Floor plans vary considerably, so this is definitely not a cookie-cutter condo building. Kitchens tend to be fairly straightforward, bathrooms are generally generous in size, and some of the most desirable units have balconies or terraces. I particularly like the south-facing residences, where natural light and views can make a significant difference.
The building offers a 24-hour doorman and valet parking, although the parking arrangement is a little unusual: spaces are licensed for either an SUV or sedan rather than deeded in the conventional sense. There’s also a fitness center…though in all my years of showing the building, I can’t remember seeing anyone actually using it.
For me, though, location is one of Western Union’s biggest strengths. You’re right in the heart of Washington Square West, surrounded by restaurants, shopping and everything Center City has to offer. Its proximity to Jefferson is another significant advantage for many buyers.
I like the building, and more importantly, a lot of my buyers like it once they see it. The combination of interesting floor plans, outdoor space in select units, services and a terrific Washington Square West location gives 1101 Locust a personality all its own.
Recent Sales
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