Now, its time at City Hall is running out.
The Philadelphia Portal, an interactive installation that connects people in real time with others in countries around the world, is scheduled to leave its current home on Oct. 31 unless organizers can find a new host in the city.
"Our permit is unfortunately running out," said Nicolas Klaus of the Portals Organization.
The organization is seeking a new hosting partner and hopes to have a path forward by the end of September. Without a new local partnership, the Portal could be relocated to another city.
The Portal arrived in Philadelphia in 2024 as part of the city's celebrations leading up to the 250th anniversary of the United States. It was initially installed at Love Park but was later moved to the City Hall courtyard after it was vandalized.
Since then, the Portal has become a popular destination for residents and visitors.
"This is one of the coolest spots I saw in the U.S.," said Michelle Borges of University City, who brought a visiting friend from Brazil to see the installation.
For visitors such as Leah Hawkins of Mapleton, Utah, the Portal is a unique way to experience a different part of the world without leaving the city.
"I think it's super cool the way it connects us to everyone, and we get to see where other people are at in the world," Hawkins said. "I think it should stay here. Philly is a good place for it to be."
Sandra Hunsader of Langhorne also hopes the installation can remain nearby.
"Very sad. I want it to stay, but if we can find another area in Philadelphia, that would be great," she said. "It's gotta stay here."
For West Philadelphia resident Nafis Hall, the installation has become more than a sculpture.
"I think the Portal is wonderful. It helps give us a window to be able to look at other people around the world," Hall said.
Hall said he visits about twice a week and enjoys waving, dancing and doing tricks for people watching.
"I pretty much just like to entertain people," he said.
Klaus said the organization is open to a range of potential locations, as long as the Portal remains accessible to the public and connected to Philadelphia.
"We are looking for a place that is accessible to the public and is representative of Philadelphia," Klaus said. "It could be in collaboration with any public entity. We'd also be open to hosting the Portal on private property as long as it's made accessible to the public."
A new host would need to provide a prominent location with enough space, power and internet connectivity. The organization is also seeking financial support for relocation, refurbishment and ongoing maintenance.
Klaus said the arrangement could involve one organization or several partners working together.
"It could be a single organization that's helping us secure those permits and also helping us with funding the ongoing upkeep of the Portal, or it could be a combination of multiple organizations and sponsors to help us preserve it," he said.
According to the Portals Organization, Philadelphia's installation is the only Portal in North America and has attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors while generating hundreds of millions of online impressions.
The City Hall placement was always intended to be temporary.
"I understand they have prior commitments for the winter market, which is also hosted there," Klaus said. "We worked with the America 250 team and the Portal was hosted in that context, and since that is coming to an end by the end of this year, we need a new hosting arrangement."
The organization says its goal is to keep the Portal in Philadelphia and establish it as a lasting landmark in the city.