The Curtis, 601 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA The Curtis, 601 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA

PHILADELPHIA—The Curtis, the historic 12-floor office building at the corner of 6th and Walnut Street, is getting a 200-seat P.J. Clarke’s restaurant and bar.

Clarke’s, one of the oldest bars in New York, has signed a fifteen-year lease with Keystone Property Group for 16,835 square feet of ground floor space at The Curtis. Josh Haber, vice president in Binswanger’s Philadelphia office, negotiated the lease for P.J. Clarke’s.

“After three years of searching for restaurant space, I am thrilled that the iconic P.J. Clarke’s will be coming to Philadelphia,” says Haber.  “It has been an honor to work with Phil Scotti and to see this project come to fruition.”

Founded in 1884, P.J. Clarke’s is known for its signature Cadillac Burger (named by Nat King Cole), King George’s Shepherd’s Pie, lamb shank, fish and chips and baked mac and cheese.  The restaurant has locations in New York, Washington DC, and Brazil.  The Curtis location in Philadelphia is slated to open late summer 2016.

The Curtis is adjacent to Washington Square Park and Independence National Historic Park and is accessible to all public transportation and close to major roadways including I-95, I-676 and I-76.  P.J. Clarke’s will have an outdoor dining space and lower-level bowling alley space which will be used for private parties.

Separately, Colliers International says Wiss Janney Elsten, an employee-owned interdisciplinary design and construction firm, has joined The Curtis’s office community.

WJE will relocate its Philadelphia operation from 400 Market Street and expand into 5,600 square feet at The Curtis.  Colliers International represented both the landlord and tenant in this transaction.

WJE selected the space for the building’s rich history and architectural details, as well as its central location with easy access from both the Pennsylvania suburbs and New Jersey, says Jon Jadico, unit manager of the WJE Philadelphia Office.