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John Milner Architects, Inc.

@johnmilnerarchitects

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We create new buildings inspired by classical traditions, and preserve historic buildings that connect us to our diverse cultural heritage

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As the restoration of the First Bank of the United States draws to a close, we are reflecting on what this semiquincentennial year means for both our nation and our firm. The First Bank restoration is the signature project for Independence National Historical Park's celebration of America's 250th anniversary. 50 years ago, during the Bicentennial in 1976, our firm was also closely connected to the Park's centerpiece project: the restoration of Franklin Court.

Led by John Milner in collaboration with structural engineer Nick Giannopoulos of Keast & Hood, the restoration of the Market Street Houses at Frankin Court helped redefine historic preservation in America. The team discovered that significant portions of the original 1780s buildings—including Benjamin Franklin's arched carriageway—survived beneath later alterations. Rather than rebuilding these features, they preserved the authentic 18th-century fabric while removing incompatible 19th-century changes. Building façades were reconstructed only where supported by physical evidence and historic documentation, while later storefront alterations were reversed to restore the buildings' 18th-century character without sacrificing surviving historic material.

As part of the larger Franklin Court project, the restored Market Street Houses combined preservation, archaeology, and public interpretation in ways that influenced the future of historic-site practice. Juxtaposed with Franklin Court's iconic "ghost structure," designed by Venturi & Rauch, the Market Street Houses embodied a preservation philosophy that prioritized the conservation of authentic historic fabric and reconstruction only where reliable evidence existed. That approach was widely published and helped shift American preservation away from wholesale rebuilding and toward careful, evidence-based conservation.

In the 50 years between these landmark projects, we have had the privilege of preserving many of our nation's most significant historic landmarks, often in partnership with the National Park Service. It is especially meaningful when those projects allow us to help preserve the places that define our shared history for future generations. taken in Independence National Historical Park by @johnmilnerarchitects

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4 months ago

John Milner Architects is pleased to announce the elevation of Bradley Roeder, Justin Detwiler, and Joshua Kiehl to join Christopher Miller as the firm’s senior leadership team. Since its founding, John Milner Architects has been a collaborative group of design and technical professionals, many of whom have spent decades working with the firm. The new leadership reflects this legacy and tradition. With over 50 years combined experience as members of the Milner team, Brad, Justin, and Joshua are natural leaders within the firm and reflect the next generation of firm management.

Christopher Miller, who joined the firm in 1998 and became a principal in 2009, will continue to serve as the firm’s Senior Principal, overseeing the firm’s practice of high-quality historic preservation and traditional design.

John Milner and Mary Werner DeNadai, founders of the firm, will continue to serve as Principals Emeriti, providing guidance and sharing their experiences and insights as mentors. by @johnmilnerarchitects

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a year ago

Thanks to @icaaphila for highlighting our 2025 Trumbauer Award-winning restoration of Krisheim.
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Credit to @icaaphila 🏆 Trumbauer Tuesdays 🏆 2025 WINNER - Historic Preservation - Krisheim in Philadelphia, PA by John Milner Architects, Inc.

Do you have a similar project you’d like us to consider? Learn more about our 2027 Trumbauer Awards and submit your projects at classicist-phila.org
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George and Gertrude Woodward set their 40 acre estate, “Krisheim,” in Philadelphia’s Chestnut Hill neighborhood at the center of a community they helped to shape. The c1912 Jacobean revival house was designed by Peabody and Stearns. Ten years prior, Olmsted Brothers Landscape Architects were enlisted to create a woodland and formal landscape so that, upon completion, the house would be nestled within a mature setting. The 28,000-square foot home features important examples of Yellin ironwork, Mercer tile, Willet leaded glass, and Violet Oakley murals. In the 1960s, the family donated the house to the Presbyterian Church. By the 1980s, it was renovated to create ten apartments. During its institutional and multi-family use, unsympathetic additions had significantly altered the home’s appearance.

In 2014, the family decided to restore the building to a single-family home. The painstaking five-year project included the removal of a four-story masonry egress tower, which required the reconstruction of the southeast façade. New Wissahickon schist and limestone masonry was meticulously detailed with hand-tooled patterns and textures. A second-floor porch was reconstructed, and the first-floor masonry porch was extended to its original width. The historic copper skylight was carefully replicated using the original glass panes. Historic materials were restored and reinstalled, including leaded steel casement windows and 1.5” thick slate roof tiles. Outdated building systems were removed, and new energy-efficient systems were skillfully integrated. The family’s collection of original art and furnishings were reinstalled using historic photos as a guide, neatly bringing the past into the present.

📸: John Milner Architects, Inc. by @johnmilnerarchitects

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12 days ago

This vestibule turns coming-and-going into a transformative ritual.

Architecture: @johnmilnerarchitects
Builder: @cherokeeconstruction
Photographer: @varneyphoto
Location: Philadelphia, PA

#LuxuryInteriorDesign #VestibuleDesign #MoodyInteriors #FederalArchitecture #AshliMizell by @johnmilnerarchitects

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a month ago

A brooding little escape in Rittenhouse Square 🌙

Builder: @cherokeeconstruction
Architecture: @johnmilnerarchitects
Photographer: @varneyphoto

#LuxuryInteriors #PowderRoomDesign #MoodyInteriors #DramaticDecor #AshliMizell by @johnmilnerarchitects

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a month ago

New skylights being installed in our Delancey Place renovation!
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Credit to @cherokeeconstruction - "6 lites, 2” of rain…..our guys got all of them installed successfully!" @johnmilnerarchitects by @johnmilnerarchitects

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2 months ago

Our America 250 series continues with another landmark a part of our nation’s early history: the First Bank of the United States, which celebrated its grand reopening with a ceremony on July 1.

Built in 1797 as the nation’s first federally chartered bank, the First Bank of the United States played an important role in establishing America’s early financial system. Now reopened as a public museum within Independence National Historical Park, the building continues to connect visitors to the story of our nation’s founding.

Our team, led by John R. Davis, PE and Alexander J. Stadel, PE, provided structural evaluation and targeted modifications to the historic building, and engineered a new three-story addition that provides an accessible entrance with stairs, elevator, and reception lobby. Designed to respect the original architecture, the addition uses strategically cantilevered steel framing to minimize impacts to the historic masonry while clearly distinguishing the new construction from the original building.

We’re honored to have contributed to the preservation of this iconic landmark, helping ensure its history remains accessible for years ahead.

For an inside look at the restoration, read Hidden City Philadelphia’s, The First Bank of the United States Reopens With a Regal Restoration by Kimberly Haas: hiddencityphila.org/2026/06/the-first-bank-of-the-united-states-reopens-with-a-regal-restoration

To read more about our work on the project, visit: keasthood.com/portfolio-item/the-first-bank-of-the-united-states

#America250 #FirstBankOfTheUnitedStates #HistoricPreservation #EngineeringHistory #PreservingHistory by @johnmilnerarchitects

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3 months ago

What an exciting day in Philadelphia!

On July 1, the historic First Bank of the United States officially reopened to the public after decades of closure and a remarkable restoration. Now operating as a museum, the landmark welcomes visitors with new exhibitions exploring the nation’s early financial history, diplomacy, and Philadelphia’s role in shaping the United States.

BEAM was honored to design the lighting for this restoration project. Our team was delighted to attend the grand reopening and celebrate alongside the many architects, preservation specialists, consultants, and partners who helped bring this National Historic Landmark back to life.

Congratulations to everyone involved in bringing this project to completion! taken in First Bank of the United States by @johnmilnerarchitects

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4 months ago

Members of our team attended the ribbon cutting at the First Bank of the United States today at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia. The project was a true team effort, and we must recognize the significant contributions of the project team:

The Bedwell Company- General Contractor ; Keast and Hood- Structural Engineers @keastandhood ; IMEG- Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing Engineering, and Security and Fire Protection Engineering @imegcorp ; Beam Ltd.- Lighting Design @beam_ltd ; Greg Stefan Studios- Leaded Glass Restoration @gregstefanstudios by @johnmilnerarchitects

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4 months ago

New cupola trim, regilded weathervane, and restored windows all recently installed at the New Market's Head House and Shambles at 2nd and Pine Streets in Philadelphia. New clock faces coming soon! @wscumby @wmgrestoration taken in New Market and Head House by @johnmilnerarchitects

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4 months ago

The finishing touches are underway at our restoration of the First Bank of the United States at @independencenps, which opens to the public on July 1. taken in First Bank of the United States by @johnmilnerarchitects

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4 months ago

Fun tile samples from the iconic Moravian Pottery and Tileworks @thetileworks for a special project with @eberleindesign and @pinemar by @johnmilnerarchitects

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4 months ago