A City Hall Virtual Tour TOUR OFFICE | COURTYARD | N. PORTAL | W. PORTAL | S. PORTAL | E. PORTAL | MAYOR'S RECEPTION RM. | CONVERSATION HALL | NE STAIRS | CAUCUS ROOM | SUPREME COURT | GRAND STAIR | LAW LIBRARY | TOWER |EXIT TOUR

ity Hall's executive suite today occupies the building's northeast quadrent. It begins at room 215, the Mayor's actual office in the east wing, and occupies all the rooms up to room 202, the Mayor's Reception room.
This arrangement differs from John McArthur's original design which allocated the second floor space in the north wing to the City's Select and Common Councils.
The change occurred after McArthur's death in 1880 and is attributed to William Bleddyn Powell, the building's third architect. Appointed in 1883, Powell replaced John Ord who had resigned only three years after replacing McArthur.Construction delays, funding disputes with the councils, the mad rush by city agencies to occupy the partially complete building, and structural problems in the tower, forced Powell to reconsider the space allocation in the north wing.

he emphasis in 1883 had switched from completion of the north wing to preparation of interior offices in the east. On December 14, 1889 Mayor Edwin H. Fitler (mayor 1887 to 1891) was able to move into new executive offices in the east wing while the council chambers in the north remained simply drawings. By this time, other departments were also rushing to grab space in the new building, and the structural faults in the tower were demanding attention. In an effort to better organize the building's occupants, as well as address the tower problems, the decision was made to expand the Mayor's suites into the area previously set aside for the common council in the north wing. On December 1, 1896 Mayor Charles Warwick became the first occupant of the expanded suite of offices which included his 'Palatial' Reception Room.

he design for the Mayor's Reception Room is described as Grecian.

ainscotting, woodwork, and furnishings are beautifully carved in mahogany. The doorway to room 204 stands between two carved ionic columns of Numidian Marble topped with an ivory and gold pediment. Over the head of the door, the City Coat of Arms is carved in a mahogany panel.	aintings of former mayors surround the walls. Fine curtains and draperies hang from the double height windows.Above is a coffered ceiling painted in gold and ivory and studded with 188 lights. In the center of the room is a gold plated chandelier , described as 'the finest in the country'. Eight feet three inches, weighing 1,680 pounds, with 98 gas lights and electric attachments, it too is of Greek design.
entered on the wall opposite the doorway to room 204 is a beautiful fireplace. Blending with the wainscotting, the mahogany mantlepiece is supported by two carved Atlantes. The firebox, surrounded with Alps green marble, contains a gas firelog with a brass fireback depicting a Roman Charioteer. Sitting atop the mantel are a clock and two urns appearing in photographs dating back to 1897. Above the fireplace, the portrait of Edwin Shippen, the City's first elected mayor, replaces one of William Penn, displayed in a 1910 photograph. It was removed and transferred to the custody of the National Park Service. Nevertheless, it's easy to see that this room still retains most of its original grandure.

ur next stop is just around the corner, where directly beneath the massive tower is an orphaned room without a purpose, room 201, CONVERSATION HALL .