Insurance Company of North America Building, Historic office building in Philadelphia, United States
The Insurance Company of North America Building is a sixteen-story office structure in Philadelphia that occupies an entire block between Arch, Cuthbert, 16th and 17th Streets. The building features a granite base rising several stories high and is constructed with brick and stone materials topped by a distinctive crown.
The building was completed in 1925 and served as headquarters for the nation's first joint-stock insurance company, which was established in the late 1700s. The company relocated its main offices in 1991, after which the structure was eventually converted to residential use.
The building reflects the importance of insurance in early American commerce and shows how this company shaped the market for home and maritime coverage. Visitors can see through its architecture how essential such institutions were to the city's growth.
The building is centrally located in Philadelphia near JFK Plaza and Suburban Station, making it easily accessible on foot. Since it now functions as residential condominiums, visitors can appreciate the exterior and architectural features from street level.
The granite base rises exceptionally high compared to typical commercial buildings of its era, creating a dramatic visual division between the stone foundation and the brick stories above. This distinctive design choice reflected architectural trends of the 1920s that emphasized permanence and strength.
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