Thursday, June 11, 2015

PHILADELPHIA'S CITY HALL

 
 
If there is one thing I enjoy on a nice summer walk about, it's some nice architecture. And on Saturday after the organ concert we headed to City Hall, because I wanted to take some picture of one of our most proud buildings here.It's always been a favorite of mine, not only because of it's beauty, but  also it's a place to see and be seen,  with passer bys sitting at the various bistro tables, kids frolicking in the new fountains, people hot man watching and one can generally find a few talented street musicians sharing their talent. I can and have spent hours there, just reading and have a cold drink. I do believe I took well over 100 pictures this day. With the  help of my ever faithful hunky friend Preston, we are going to  select some of them , which he will then blow up in black and white for me for framing, to add to my wall of favorite structures I already have.
 
 
The building was designed by Scottish-born architect John McArthur J in the Second Empire style, and was constructed from 1871 until 1901 at a cost of $24 million, a huge amount in that time. City Hall was topped off in 1894; as a result even though the interior wasn't finished until 1901 the building was the world's tallest starting in 1894. Designed to be the world's tallest building, it was surpassed during construction by the Washington Monument and the Eiffel Tower, though it was at completion the world's tallest habitable building. It was the first modern building to be the world's tallest and also was the first secular habitable building to have this record: all previous world's tallest buildings were religious structures, including European cathedrals. With almost 700 rooms, City Hall is one of the largest municipal buildings in the United States and one of the largest in the world. The building is topped by an 37 ft, 27-ton bronze statue of city founder William Penn, one of 250 sculptures created by Alexander Milne Calder that adorn the building inside and out. The statue is the tallest atop any building in the world.
 
 
Calder wished the statue to face south so that its face would be lit by the sun most of the day, the better to reveal the details of his work. The statue actually faces northeast, towards Penn Treaty Park in the Fishtown section of the city, which commemorates the site where William Penn signed a treaty with the local Native American tribe.
 
Cast in the fashionable French Second Empire style—the same style simultaneously embraced for the structure later known as the Old Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C.—City Hall mixed thick masonry construction, up to 22 feet in some places, with elaborate ornamentation inside and out. Intended to be the highest building in the world, with its bell tower topping at 548 feet. I have to say, when you stand right up at this building, boy do you feel small. You can really get a feel just how massive this building is.
 
 
This cool bison head relief in one of the hall leading to the courtyard...pretty cool.....
 
The base of the huge tower, where the clock and William Penn sit.....
 
 City Hall began upon the site in 1871. It was one of the five original squares laid out on the city grid by Penn. It lay at the geographic heart of the city. City Hall is built on the area designated by William Penn as Centre Square. It was a public square from the city's founding in 1682, and as one can see, now with modern new fountain works installed, it's still a fun and social gathering place.....
 
 
We even enjoyed the music styling's of this street flutiest in the courtyard for almost an hour......
 
Another thing I love on the building and this one peculiarly has many of is..... columns!!!!!
 
 
And no matter where you are or stand, I don't think there is a bad view of this magnificent jewel that is in out fine city.
 
Even at night......

 
I must now start making rounds to y'all. I have been tied up with my visiting good friends from Atlanta...  Clara Voyant and  Southern Charm. I feel so behind.......Tootles!

38 comments:

  1. Mistress, I swear, your handsome, cook, know display and interior design, cook, a snappy dresser, fabulous drag, and now add photography!!!! I have always enjoyed your pictures but these are amazing. I have never seen City Hall there, but can really capture the size and details. I see why Philly is a proud city.....some many reasons.

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    1. oh dear I meant to say cocktail maker, not cook twice.

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  2. Stunning pictures Mistress! I walk pass it everyday, and never tire of seeing it. And here's a short story : the new tallest buildings in Philly are placed at the west side of the City Hall, so that the tower remains clearly visible from the Delaware River.

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  3. That building is so amazing........you sure don't see that around here. Looks like a great place to hang out and people watch.

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  4. The trip to and up City Hall is delightful. History is literally spread at one's feet. If you have never been up go sometime. Yes, I too agree, you took some great pictures. And I never even saw some of the details in person.

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  5. amazing! You all sure can do buildings back East.

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  6. Damn, I saw this when I was there, but now I wished I'd spent more time exploring it. You really are so much detail.

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  7. Your pictures are always nice, but these are really something. The place is steeped in history. Beautiful building. Must be enthralling to stand right there and take it in.

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  8. Beautiful building and statues! I'd say you captured every detail. What a building. I don't care what Ms Moorecock say.....you got talents!

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    1. I hate when I guy arrives too soon. He does have many talents with a camera.

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    2. Wait to you see my new tricks......

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  9. Such an intricate and elaborately designed building - Beautiful! And I particularly like the third photo of the clock tower against the blue sky.

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    1. Thank you handsome....it was surprised my camera could zoom in so close. I may get the hang of this technology yet.

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  10. all y'all need to come to philly! period. we have history, art, good food, great music, architecture to die for, a walkable street grid, and nice people!

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    1. and preferably a hotel....there has been some many guests here of late this joint needs a revolving door!!! As usual........

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    2. ....or Anne Marie's house, since she is apparently the welcome wagon.........

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  11. That is a spectacular building! I though at first it was the Casa du Borghese.

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    1. Aren't you a dear. But alas, I would need at least 40 more houseboys to cover the chores.

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  12. I absolutely love architecture and it has always been a favorite of mine too. Do you remember when it was featured in Seven Monkeys? It was cool to see the lions walking around it.

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  13. What a talent! Those pictures are amazing! William absolutely loves this building as I. One can't dispute the regal and uniqueness of the architecture. It must be seen on a visit if one hasn't seen it. Looks like you had a great day. And I love me some street musicians.

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  14. What an amazing building!

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  15. What architectural magnificence! Pretty good pictures for a amateur!

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  16. What a beautiful collection of photos. I love pictures when you zoom in on certain architectural elements as opposed to seeing the whole building. A fascinating tour of a wonderful building and tower..

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  17. Great post! I do think the northeast and south have the best architecture. Who says new is always better.?

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  18. Its one of those hidden treasures that most of us never even notice or look at much. You took phenomenal pictures.

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  19. A most impressive architectural erection, but why would William Penn want his statute to be up there? No one can see what the fellow looks like!

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    1. And if there is one thing I know, it's all about impressive erections. But in person, you can actually see the face, I'm just used to coming up behind.

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  20. That is a spectacular building!!!! And you probably like the columns because their phallic! Great pics btw.

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  21. You do have some talents Mistress.i don't care what they say....they do extend pass the boudoir.

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    1. You have been hanging out at the country club again haven't you?

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  22. Nothing is prettier in Philadelphia than the City Hall building. It's too one of my favorites. Very nice post.

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  23. Beautiful architecture, history and design. With beautiful water garden that children and adults alike can enjoy and play in (even the adults, I'm a big kid too), just beautiful pictures! I have contemplated moving to Philadelphia.

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  24. So glad you enjoyed....THANK YOU ALL!!!

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  25. I have always enjoyed Philly on visits. There is never a "what to do" feeling ever. And such a walkable city too. Very nice post on City Hall. It is rather beautiful isn't it?

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  26. WOW, what detailed pictures!!!!!! AMAZING!!!!! We love this building too.

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Go ahead darling, tell me something fabulous!