Psfs Building Roof

Photos are from the historic american buildings survey habs pa 1533 collection 1985 jack boucher photographer.

Psfs building roof.

It was built for the philadelphia saving later savings fund society in 1932 and was designed by architects william lescaze and george howe. The psfs building now known as the loews philadelphia hotel is a skyscraper in center city philadelphia pennsylvania a national historic landmark the building was the first international style skyscraper constructed in the united states. At the time the sign was put up such acronyms were unheard of. The philadelphia savings fund society psfs building 12 south 19th street was designated a national historic landmark in 1976.

New york has a few international style buildings but a lot of the. The psfs building now known as the loews philadelphia hotel is a skyscraper in center city philadelphia pennsylvania a national historic landmark the building was the first international style skyscraper constructed in the united states. The skyscraper is topped by a distinctive sign with the philadelphia saving fund society s initials. Portions of the content on this web page were adapted from a copy of the national register of historic places nomination document.

The typical plan shows how elevators and ducts are concentrated in one smooth block. Floor joist from the great meeting house signed ac ic 1755 the twelfth street meeting house embodied more than 200 years of philadelphia quaker history and there was a strong desire to find a way to save the building. The psfs building that i took this photo from is considered to be the first modern skyscraper built in what is now called the international style. The psfs building in 1985.

The sign hides mechanical equipment and can be seen for 20 miles 32 km. It was built for the philadelphia saving later savings fund society in 1932 and was designed by architects william lescaze and george howe. It s called that because of how widespread the style has become. Removal of the first roof truss july 1972.

Throughout the great depression the sign remained lit 24 hours a day reassuring its customers that their money was safe and secure during hard times. Philadelphia pa from the roof of the psfs building. Above the fifth floor the building assumes its characteristic t shape. Photocopy of rendering of psfs building by d e.

The 27 feet 8 2 m high letters are white by day and illuminated with red neon lights by night. Psfs building is in the background. Having the psfs sign on the roof of the building was the first time any advertisement was integrated into a building s design.