The incident took place around 8:00 p.m. at 12th and Race streets.
Officials tell Action News the discovery of a crack on the exterior façade of a 4-story apartment building resulted in evacuations.
Those evacuated were temporarily relocated to the Philadelphia Convention Center.
Representatives with Philadelphia's License and Inspections have been notified and are responding.
Initial reports are the building has no history of faults with L & I.
The Red Cross says at least 22 people have been displaced and the landlord will be putting them up at a local hotel.
