Cosmopolitan Club of Philadelphia

SERVICES: Master Planning, Architectural and Interior Design

CLIENT: The Cosmopolitan Club of Philadelphia

LOCATION: Philadelphia, PA

STATUS: Complete

YEAR: 2008-Present

Janice Woodcock, AIA as a long-time member, has been providing architectural services for the restoration of the Cosmopolitan Club of Philadelphia for over 20 years. The club was founded by and for women in 1929 as a place for exchanging ideas and cultivating relationships. The club is a nationally significant example of art deco design, including the furnishings and the design of the space itself by renowned interior designer Jules Bouy.

A major component of the work has been the preparation of a master plan for the renovation of the club and restoration and preservation of its original features. Woodcock Design, Inc. provided pro bono design services for this work, which was then adopted by the club in 2021. The plan lead to the formation of a 501(c)(3) to fund the renovation work. Since adoption of the plan, the Club has raised over $1M in contributions, and completed an initial construction project restoring the front façade and accessible entry. The Club has since hired an outside architect to prepare designs for an accessible lift connecting floors.

The experience of Principal Janice Woodcock in this project is significant as an example of advocating for the importance of preserving a building, exploring complex design problems in collaboration with others, and successfully launching the restoration work.