The Goddard School is located in Fitler Square, a family-oriented neighborhood on the southwestern edge of Center City. Located at 22nd & Pine Streets, the building is within the Rittenhouse Square Historical District. The property is considered contributing to the Historical District, therefore, any renovation to the exterior required approval from the Philadelphia Historical Commission. The building was built in 1923 and was used as a parking garage until its transformation into the Goddard School.

Adaptive re-use in the truest sense, converting this building from a parking garage into an early learning institution was no small task. The interior transformation was a comprehensive effort involving renovations and/or replacements of:

• Interior structure
• Foundation and flooring
• Removal of the interior automobile elevator
and replacing it with an egress stair and
passenger elevator
• All mechanical systems

The beautiful new school now includes classrooms, offices, a kitchen, and a large multi-purpose space on the first floor with “garage-door” style windows that open all the way, safely allowing fresh air and light into the play area when the weather is nice.

One of the most significant updates was to the building’s facade. Historically accurate new windows were installed, and the exterior was repaired and refurbished. On the 22nd Street facade, the large windows can be opened and there are screens that allow a connection to the outside from the recreation space on the lower level while maintaining the safety of the occupants.