Frank Weise (born Frank Weiss) was a distinguished Philadelphia architect who made significant contributions to the city’s architectural and cultural landscape throughout the mid-20th century. Born in Brooklyn, NY, Weise moved to Philadelphia with his family at a young age. He attended Simon Gratz High School before pursuing his passion for architecture at the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a B.Arch. with honors in 1942. Weise demonstrated remarkable talent during his studies, receiving awards for freehand drawing and a prestigious first medal from the Beaux Arts Institute of Design.

After completing his degree, Weise briefly worked in the office of famed architects George Howe and Louis I. Kahn, contributing to wartime housing projects. He furthered his education with an M.Arch. from Harvard in 1945 and studied design at Black Mountain College, an experimental and progressive institution in North Carolina.

Following World War II, Weise spent time in Chicago, where he worked on significant projects such as the planning of Michael Reese Hospital under Reginald Isaacs and in the offices of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. In 1949, while working at Loebl, Schlossman & Bennett, Weise contributed to the design of Park Forest, IL, a pioneering residential and commercial development intended for returning GIs and their families.

In 1949, Weise returned to Philadelphia and established his own architectural practice. One of his most notable civic contributions came in the early 1960s when he led an effort to redesign the proposed path of Interstate 95 along the Delaware River. His advocacy resulted in a portion of the highway being depressed below street level, preserving access to the historic waterfront and minimizing the highway’s impact on the city’s fabric.

Weise’s impact on Philadelphia extended beyond architecture. In the 1970s, he played a key role in the restoration and renovation of Head House Square in Society Hill, and in the 1980s, he worked on adapting John Haviland’s Eastern State Penitentiary, a landmark of American prison architecture. His contributions to Philadelphia’s cultural scene were equally significant—he was a founding member of the Wilma Theater and the Theater of the Living Arts, both of which became major cultural institutions in the city.

In addition to his practice, Weise shared his knowledge and passion for architecture through teaching. He held positions at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, Moore College of Art, and the Philadelphia Museum College of Art, helping shape the next generation of architects and designers.

Weise’s legacy is one of architectural innovation, cultural advocacy, and a deep commitment to preserving and enhancing Philadelphia’s urban fabric. His work continues to influence both the city’s architectural landscape and its cultural institutions.