Federal buildings in Philadelphia listed for possible sale — then pulled
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The U.S. Custom House in Old City may soon be up for sale. Photo: Carol M. Highsmith/Buyenlarge/Getty
The Trump administration released a list Tuesday suggesting several federally owned buildings in Philly could soon be up for sale — before pulling it down hours later.
Why it matters: The move — coupled with efforts from Elon Musk's DOGE to end federal leases — is creating confusion about the future of the federal workforce and its real estate footprint in the city and across the country.
The big picture: Trump last week empowered DOGE to scrutinize how federal agencies spend money, the latest expansion of Elon Musk's cost-cutting powers, Axios' Erin Doherty reports.
- The executive order requires federal agencies to identify federal properties that are no longer needed that can be disposed of.
Catch up quick: The General Services Administration (GSA) revealed on Tuesday it's considering offloading more than 440 "non-core" assets across the U.S.
- The agency estimates that selling those buildings could save more than $430 million in annual operating costs.
- Later that evening, more than 100 properties disappeared from the list, per the Washington Post.
- By Wednesday morning, the list had been removed from GSA's website — and replaced with a note that says "coming soon."
Zoom in: Four federal buildings in Philly were listed:
- U.S. Custom House: A 1930s-era art deco office building in Old City. (About 436K square feet)
- Mid-Atlantic Social Security Center: An eight-story building in Northern Liberties at 3rd and Spring Garden streets. (534K sq ft)
- Veterans Administration Center: A regional office in East Falls. (418K sq ft)
- "Federal Building 05": An unidentified building with no square footage listed.
Twelve buildings across the Commonwealth were listed among those GSA is interested in selling.
What they're saying: The GSA published the list to "drive maximum value for the federal real estate footprint" for taxpayers, per a released statement on Wednesday.
- The agency said it received an "overwhelming amount of interest" in the listed properties and will consider "compelling offers."
- The list is expected to be republished in the near future after the GSA evaluates "this initial input" and determines how to "make it easier for stakeholders to understand the nuances of the assets listed."
Plus: Just because a property is on the list does not mean it's immediately for sale, the GSA noted.
What we're watching: More federally funded properties could get the axe, too.
- DOGE lists six real estate leases in Philly that it's moving to terminate, along with more than a dozen elsewhere in the state, including King of Prussia, per the agency's website.
- Caveat: DOGE's website has included inaccuracies and questionable accounting of its cost-cutting measures.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.