This week's Foto Friday prompt is looking up, so I thought I would share with you some more photos that I took in Philadelphia this week of the Pennsylvania Fire Insurance Company (508-510 Walnut Street). Designed in the popular Egyptian-revival style, the left side of the building was constructed in 1838 by the Scottish-born architect John Haviland (1792-1852); in 1902, an identical addition (the right side) and a central parapet was designed by Theophilus Chandler, Jr. (1845-1928). The Egyptian-revival period was relatively short-lived in terms of its popularity and not many examples survive from this brief time frame, save for some cemetery mausoleums and crypts (there are several outstanding examples in the nearby
Laurel Hill Cemetery). In recognition of its importance in architectural history the facade of the building was maintained when the rest of the building was demolished in the 1970s; the facade now acts as a screen of sorts to the modern high-rise office building located directly behind it. The juxtaposition of the two structures makes for a very interesting urban landscape.
Be sure to check out the other lovely photos this week by clicking below;
Have a great weekend everyone!
5 comments:
Architecture can be so neat to photograph! I like your first shot - it almost looks fake, but the man at the bottom humanizes it. Very cool.
what a beautiful structure. Kaye—the road goes ever ever on
"The juxtaposition of the two structures makes for a very interesting urban landscape." Someone's using their vocabulary builder :)
I like the first one best. Nice to see a place I have never been.
The buildings are just incredible. You did a great job photographing them. The last one is my favorite, but they all are beautiful.
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