The 2008-09 school term began in Hussian’s new home: The Historic Bourse Building on Philadelphia’s Independence Mall.

This exciting new facility, which divides its space over two floors in The Bourse on 5th Street, is situated in the heart of America’s most historic square mile.

The school’s facilities have taken residence on the third and fourth floors of The Bourse. The third floor houses reception and office areas, state-of the- art computer labs, library, lecture and design studios, school store and student lounge. The fourth floor is the fine arts department, with a beautiful entrance to printmaking, drawing and painting studios bathed in natural light from the building’s wonderful large windows. Outside, the students now enjoy Old City Philadelphia as their campus – with Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the National Constitution Center and the beautiful green areas of Independence National Park. According to the Bourse web site, the building was the first commodities exchange in the US; its construction completed in 1895. The building was also the country’s first steelframed structure. Large, ornate columns and pilasters lead to a balcony surrounding the main floor and atrium space (and are beautifully visible throughout the school’s main hall and studios), all under a magnificent skylight.

Original tenants included the American Telephone and Telegraph, Moore and McCormick Steamship Lines, grain dealers and export agents, along with the Commercial Exchange, the Maritime Exchange, Grocers and Importers Exchange and the Board of Trade. Kaiserman Company, Inc., purchased the Building in 1973, renamed it “The Bourse” and adapted it as a retail and office complex. Celebrating over 100 years as a center for commerce and trade, The Bourse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. And now it is home to the Philadelphia area’s oldest career art school! Hussian’s new facility at The Bourse combines an environment of classic architecture and historic significance with state-of-the-art technology and instruction for tomorrow’s design professional. Mr. Crawford (Vice-President) and Mr. Dove (President) have much to be proud of – their incredible hard work, their respect for our faculty, student body and alumni family – and their commitment to our school’s history and its future – is evident in each and every square of this magnificent new residence.