Perelman Building, Art Deco museum extension in Philadelphia, United States
The Perelman Building is an office building in Philadelphia featuring characteristic Art Deco elements. The limestone facade displays polychrome ornaments, cathedral-like entrances, and sculptural decorations that define its exterior appearance.
The building was constructed between 1926 and 1928 as the headquarters of the Fidelity Mutual Life Insurance Company, designed by architects Zantzinger, Borie & Medary. Later it was converted into a museum building and now serves as an extension of an art museum.
The building displays sculptural figures by Lee Lawrie that represent insurance values through symbols such as wisdom, fidelity, and charity. These figures shape the appearance of the facade and tell the story of ideals that the original company wanted to convey.
The building houses exhibition galleries, laboratories, and study rooms staffed by trained personnel. Visitors should allow enough time to explore the various areas and examine the exhibitions thoroughly.
The building underwent a major expansion in the early 2000s that transformed the former insurance headquarters into an art museum. This transformation demonstrates how historical structures can be adapted for new purposes.
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