Loews Philadelphia Hotel, International style skyscraper in Center City, Philadelphia, United States
The Loews Philadelphia Hotel, originally the PSFS Building, is a skyscraper at Market Street in Center City. Its T-shaped tower rises from a lower base block, with long horizontal bands of windows alternating with strips of grey-brown stone cladding, and vertical piers of the same material running up the facade. A darker glass-clad structure adjoins its right side.
The building was constructed in 1932 for the Philadelphia Saving Fund Society and was the first International style skyscraper in the United States. In 2000, it was converted into a hotel and has served as lodging for city visitors ever since.
The rooftop sign spells out PSFS, the initials of the Philadelphia Saving Fund Society, rather than the full bank name; the architects proposed the abbreviation in 1932, when such shorthand was uncommon. The red neon letters, 8 metres tall, stay lit and are legible about 32 kilometres away.
The hotel is centrally located on Market Street where you can find shops and restaurants nearby. The architecture is fully visible from street level and offers good photo opportunities from various angles.
The bank's boardroom occupied the top of the tower, and each floor had custom Cartier clocks. The architects proposed using only the initials PSFS rather than the full bank name, an unusual choice in 1932. The red neon letters, 8 metres high, are visible about 32 kilometres away.
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