High-Rise Buildings

Wilmington has a respectable number of sizable office buildings, for a city its size.  Although many of the smaller office buildings suffered the wrecking ball in the '50's and '60's, the strongest have survived.  Three outstanding pre-war (both the Great War and W.W. II) buildings are still standing, and in excellent condition:  the Nemours Building, the DuPont Building, and the Delaware Trust Building.  The skyline filled in steadily from the late sixities until the late eighties, and there are now two new commercial high-rises scheduled for completion in 2005-06.

DuPont Building

The DuPont Building was built in phases, with the section facing Rodney Square completed in 1907, and the remaining wings in 1912.  The building houses the renowned Hotel DuPont, an outstanding Four Star hotel worthy of any major international city.  On the ground floor is a Wilmington Trust bank branch, the DuPont Theater, and additional office/retail space.

The DuPont Building in 2001 at the corner of 10th and Market Streets.  Classic Beaux Arts architecture.

Nemours Building

The Nemours Building is a fine example of Art Deco architecture brought to you by the DuPont Company.  Completed in 1937, it has a limestone facing on the first two floors, with the remaining 12 floors faced with brick.  Buccini/Pollin also purchased this building in late 2002, and converted a portion of the building to corporate suites, and the remainder to custom office space.  The lobby is the next best in the city, behind the Hotel duPont.

The entrance on 10th Street / Delaware Avenue.

The Orange Street entrance.  There was once a skybridge connecting the Nemours building with the DuPont building (right), but was removed in 1999.

Delaware Trust Building

The Delaware Trust Building was built in stages, with the first being the "slab" along 9th Street in 1921.  This portion housed the Delaware Trust Bank, a bank formed by A.I. duPont after a falling out with his other brothers, on the first two floors, and the main offices for Hercules Powder Company.  The two wings on Market and King Streets were completed in 1930.  In the mid 1970's, an International style 22 story tower was built in the light well of the building, and was the tallest structure in Delaware.  A major fire in 1996 (?) nearly gutted the building, and it sat vacant for approximately six years.  Buccin/Pollin bought the building in late 2002, tore out the light well tower, and refitted the interior for high-end rental apartments (the Residences @ Rodney Square).

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