In the heart of Philadelphia’s Old City, two adjoining buildings have been gut-renovated and reintroduced as the Diplomat. The four-unit property, designed by Brooklyn-based Studio MaRō, caters to groups seeking the comforts of home in the middle of a busy city.
Each of the units comprise four or five bedrooms, along with fully stocked kitchens, in-unit laundry, and en suite bathrooms.
Conceptually anchored in Philadelphia’s past
The design pays homage to Benjamin Franklin, drawing on the city founder’s diplomatic legacy and insatiable curiosity. Studio MaRō was especially taken by the story of the Library Company of Philadelphia, the subscription library Franklin founded in 1731 when he convinced his Junto club to pool their books. That notion—a shared room of one’s own, a place to read, think, and gather—became the guiding idea behind the property.
Fittingly, the property sits just a few blocks from both Franklin’s printing press and the cemetery where he is buried alongside his wife.
“Rooted in the history of Philadelphia’s Old City, we wanted to create a space that honored its past while feeling unmistakably present,” says Studio MaRō cofounder Nicky Kyrtsis.
Details worth a closer look at the Diplomat
Each suite leans into a cozy, library-like warmth, a retreat from the city just outside the door. From there, the team layered in Franklin’s wandering interests: chess, botanicals, scenes of invention, and early American portraiture. They also had fun with their own readings of “diplomacy”—a boxing match, a tightrope walker mid-step, wild animals in standoff.
Each suite is brought to life through rich, patterned wallpaper and deep jewel tone palettes that set the canvas for a cozy mix of furnishings. Built-in bookcases anchor each living room, which are home to details like antique book titles and chinoiserie vases; a bust of Themis, the Greek goddess of divine law and order; vintage copper banks shaped as miniature busts of Franklin; and board games designed to resemble oversized library books.
In the duplex Harmony Suite, a cluster of sculptural paper lanterns spans the height of the stairs for a touch of whimsy. Conceived as a mix of East meets West, the suite blends nods to American and European history with the design influence of Asia.
“We wanted every floor to have its own unique experience—especially since groups will sometimes come to town for a big event and rent out multiple units in the building,” says Carmen Cárdenas, cofounder of Studio MaRō. “So we kept the same palette throughout, but let each unit wear it differently. It was more work, but totally worth it.”
