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The Changing Skylineof Philadelphia

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18 The Changing Skyline of Philadelphia

26America’sOldestZoo

35WaterWorks:SiteofNewRestaurant

40WorkofArtthatHousesWorksofArt

58RodinMuseum

SkylinePhiladelphia

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Numerous steel and concrete skyscrapers were constructed in the first two decades of the 20th century. In the 1920s construction continued with skyscrapers such as the Aldine Trust Building, the Lewis Tower, the Drake Hotel, the Ben Franklin House and the Rittenhouse Plaza. In the early 1930s 30th Street Station, Convention Hall, and the Franklin Institute were constructed. In 1932 the United States’ first International style skyscraper was built. The PSFS Building, which was designed by George Howe and William Lescaze, was topped with the Philadelphia Savings Fund Society’s initials in 27 ft red neon letters and is decorated with custom made interior detailing

In the late 1980s and early 1990s large glass and granite skyscrapers were built in Center City. The largest skyscraper was Liberty Place. Consisting of the 945-ft (288 m) One Liberty Place, the 848-ft (258 m) Two Liberty Place and a smaller hotel, Liberty Place was the first building taller than

Philadelphia’s City Hall. Before construction began, the Philadelphia City Council had given permission for buildings to be taller than City Hall to encourage

skyscraper development along Market Street. Liberty Place was designed by Helmut Jahn, who combined historical architecture style with post-modern style. In the case of Liberty Place, Jahn was influenced by the art deco Chrysler Building.[2] According to the curse of Billy Penn, which appeared sometime after Liberty Place was constructed, no Philadelphia sports team would

win a championship as long as there is a building taller than the statue of William Penn on top of City Hall.[3] For a detailed

description of Philadelphia’s building height “wars,” see Thom Nickels’ ‘Philadelphia Architecture,’ published in 2005.New office towers also appeared, the most notable being the Comcast Center which

became the tallest building in Philadelphia in 2007 and was completed in 2008.[3] More skyscrapers, mostly condominiums, are under construction or in-planning such as Waterfront Square, and Mandeville Place.

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Blue Cross Blue Shield Mellon Bank Commerce Square

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