Pythian Temple, Egyptian Revival building in Upper West Side, Manhattan, US
The Pythian Temple is an eight-story building on Manhattan's Upper West Side designed in Egyptian Revival style. Its midblock facade displays four seated Pharaonic statues, polychrome columns, and Assyrian heads between Columbus Avenue and Broadway.
The structure was completed in 1927 and initially served as a gathering place for 120 Knights of Pythias lodges. The building's purpose shifted in the 1940s when Decca Records established recording studios there.
The building served as a recording venue during the 1950s, attracting musicians who left their mark on popular music. The space became known for the sounds created within its studio rooms during that era.
The building is located on West 70th Street and is easy to spot due to its detailed exterior ornamentation. The surrounding area is easily accessible on foot, as the structure sits between two major avenues.
A gold letter inscription above the entrance reads: 'If fraternal love held all men bound how beautiful this world would be.' The phrase reflects the founding principles of the original organization that built the structure.
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