June 17-24, 2004

mixpicks

Victory In Sight

One of the few examples of French Second Empire architecture in Philadelphia, the Victory Building, is reopening with a gala preview benefit this Wednesday. The Victory, located at 10th and Chestnut sts., was built in 1873 and designed by architect Henry Fernbach. But Center City denizens may remember the building by its more recent incarnation, the London Victory Club. The dance floor had 30-foot ceilings with plenty of extra space for sitting and sipping cocktails. But the club met its end when a mysterious basement electrical fire forced its closure in 1982.

Since then, the building had been rotting away. The Preservation Alliance and Ron Caplan of the Philadelphia Management Corporation worked to save the structure from the city's wrecking ball. They preserved and restored the building, which now features a bookstore and other retail space on its first floor, while the upper stories will be used by Jefferson University Hospital as apartments.

The benefit will feature a VIP reception honoring Caplan, and the Young Preservationists Committee will host a room with specialty martinis, wine and French hors d'oeuvres. Proceeds will go to the Preservation Alliance and the Young Preservationists Committee.

Viva the Victory!, Wed., June 23, 5:30-9 p.m., $50 or $100 (for VIP champagne reception), Victory Building, 10th and Chestnut sts., 215-546-1146 ext.19.

—Amy L. Webb