Philadelphia Branch House of International Harvester Co

On North 16th Street in Philadelphia, a quiet piece of industrial history looms—its story tied to changing times and unfulfilled promises. This building, steeped in nearly a century of commercial and industrial legacy, tells a tale of shifting economic tides and unrealized dreams for redevelopment.  

From my research, the building predates the 1942 land use maps, with its earliest recorded presence dating back to the 1920s. Over the decades, the structure served various roles. It housed a branch of the International Harvester Company, a manufacturer of tractors and motor trucks, and later split its space with a Sears Roebuck warehouse. Other businesses came and went, including Hess & Son, which produced non-corrosive tinning sticks branded as Tinol; The Bunting Company, known for its powder-coated metal furniture, and The Shore Company, a distributor of shipping trailers.  

Today, the building’s fate remains uncertain. Once, a vision was to transform the site into the Ink Factory at North Station, a mixed-use development blending light manufacturing, residential housing, and creative spaces. The plan would have repurposed the 190,000-square-foot former warehouse and manufacturing facility as part of a larger four-phase project. This $162 million initiative aimed to revitalize one of the city’s most economically challenged neighborhoods.  

The first phase was ambitious: two residential buildings would rise on a four-acre site near North Philadelphia Station at 2900 North Broad Street. Developers, including the North Philadelphia District LLC—a collaboration of HFZ Capital Group, Arete Group, Merchant Equity Group, and Amtrak—intended to break ground in 2018, with the apartment buildings set to be completed by fall 2019 and office spaces by late 2021.  

But the vision unraveled. The anticipated start never materialized, and timelines slipped further. The U.S. recession in 2018, compounded by lingering challenges in securing funding, appears to have halted progress. Stakeholders like SEPTA, Pennsylvania state agencies, PennDOT, and the Federal Transit Administration have not indicated any movement on the project.  

For now, the Ink Factory at North Station remains just an idea—its promise of economic growth and community revitalization unrealized. The building, once a hub of sales and industry, now stands as a silent witness to the dreams that never left the drawing board.

On a quiet stretch of N 16th Street, a red-brick sentinel stands frozen in time—a five-story building with a rich history stretching back to the early 20th century. This Philadelphia branch house of the International Harvester Company was designed by W.D. Price, a celebrated architect responsible for many of the company’s facilities across the country. Built-in 1922 at the cost of $350,000, this structure reflects an era when the industry’s needs drove the architectural style of this time. International Harvester Company acquired the land from the Connecting Railway Company for $62,000. The project was entrusted to contractor J.S. Rogers Co.

The building's design is utilitarian yet striking. Its concrete frame is wrapped in red brick, and it features a one-story service building on its southern edge. With no major alterations since its construction, the structure remains remarkably intact, preserving the original elements that defined its character. Inside, its functional loft-style design catered to a variety of needs: shipping and receiving on the first floor, offices and a showroom on the second, and stockrooms and storage areas from the basement to the upper floors. Storage was paramount, occupying nearly 58,000 of the building’s 76,000 square feet.

The one-story service building used for repairing IHC's motor trucks.

The one-story service building at the southern end was dedicated to repairs—a vital function given the branch’s specialization in motor trucks, a cornerstone of International Harvester’s urban product line. The focus on motor trucks made it uniquely suited for city customers.

The International Harvester Company was born in 1902 from the merger of five leading agricultural machinery companies. The McCormick Company and the Deering Harvester Company, which were the two largest manufacturers of harvesting machinery, and the smaller Milwaukee Harvester Company, the Warder, Bushnell, and Glessner Company, and the Plano Manufacturing Company. This consolidation ended the so-called "Harvester War," a fierce competition driven by the high demand for farming efficiency. Initially focused on agricultural implements, the company expanded into medium and heavy-duty trucks, becoming the third largest manufacturer in this category by 1937, behind General Motors and Ford.

Philadelphia’s branch house played a crucial role as a distribution center, handling sales, service, financing, advertising, and more. These facilities, known as branch houses, directly connected manufacturers with independent dealers and the public. The building even featured billboards on its roof, one of which promoted the company’s low-cost motor trucks and remains partially visible today—a weathered rusty metal frame etched into the skyline. The metal frames once held a striking 1924 billboard captured in a photograph by the Wisconsin Historical Society. The sign proudly proclaimed, “International Motor Trucks for low-cost hauling,” a testament to the company's focus on providing affordable, efficient transportation solutions. Though the billboard itself is long gone, the rusty frames remain, clinging to the east and south parapets.

Railways were integral to the branch house's operations. A railway spur along the east side of the building, constructed specifically for its use, provided a seamless connection to the adjacent tracks. Today, the most active rail line in the area is operated by SEPTA, but the echoes of its industrial past are still visible.

Interestingly, the Pittsburgh branch house—another International Harvester facility—shares many similarities, including a prominent railway connection and rail siding. That site has since been transformed into upscale lofts, a fate not yet shared by its Philadelphia counterpart.

In 1958, the International Harvester Company relocated its operations to the Pennsauken Industrial Park in New Jersey, selling the building for $150,000 to Robert Saligman. It passed through several tenants before falling into vacancy. Despite the challenges, the building stands as a remarkable example of early 20th-century industrial architecture, a relic of a time when railways and industry shaped the urban landscape.

The original billboard metal frame still stands on top of the roof. 102 years!

For a glimpse into the building’s past, one can explore a 1924 vantage point from North Philadelphia Station, offering a view of the structure’s relationship to its earlier surroundings. Additionally, a photograph from the opposite perspective showcases the building's iconic billboard and cul de sac. A feature no longer present. Thanks to the Wisconsin Historical Society for these images.

While nearby properties have seen redevelopment, including loft conversions and commercial projects, this branch house awaits its next chapter. Its sturdy concrete frame and historical significance make it a candidate for reuse, but plans for transformation remain elusive.

For now, the building remains a monument to Philadelphia’s industrial heyday, a physical link to the past, and a symbol of untapped potential in a changing city.

Sources:

1. Romero, M. (2017, March 20).  North Station District proposal to bring $162M development to North Philly. Curbed Philadelphia.

2. Schwedelson, P. (2023, August 21). Developers buy long-vacant site next to North Philadelphia train station, plan massive mixed-use project. The Business Journals.