Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Nangang Metro Station (南港捷運站)
Saturday, December 27, 2008
In search of colonial Taipei: Zhongzheng District
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Then and Now: The Rush Hospital, 33rd St. and Lancaster Avenue, Philadelphia
The Rush Hospital for Consumptives and Allied Diseases, completed in 1909, was designed by the firm of Brockie & Hastings, whose work consists mostly of estates in surburban Philadelphia. The Colonial Revival hospital building was purchased by Drexel University in 1961, and soon afterwards converted to classroom use. Today, the Rush building houses Drexel's College of Information Science and Technology.
As can be seen in today's view, the University is also in the midst of several building projects on or around 33rd and 34th Streets. Visible on the left side of the photo is the blue fencing for the expansion of the Daskalakis Athletic Center at 33rd and Market Street, which will push the building wall up to the sidewalk of Market Street, eliminating dead green space and vastly improving the pedestrian experience around it. Drexel's master plan also includes a new western wing to the Rush building, though whether or not this will materialize as anticipated in the current economic climate remains to be seen.
University Master Plan [Drexel Planning, Design, & Construction]
Sources: Philadelphia Architects and Buildings
"Drexel University - PDC: Rush Building Info." Planning, Design, and Construction Department of Drexel University. 23 Dec. 2008. http://www.drexel.edu/depts/pdc/pages/buildings.asp?BID=10
Original Photo: Hess, Wenzel J. "Public Works-32150-0." 1931. Philadelphia City Archives. PhillyHistory.org. Philadelphia Department of Records. 19 Dec. 2008. http://www.phillyhistory.org/PhotoArchive/MediaStream.ashx?mediaId=31501
Sunday, December 21, 2008
A brief introduction: my Taipei neighborhood
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Brian goes to Europe
Just as I have gotten into the groove of things around here, I will be leaving the Philadelphia area tomorrow for a two-week visit to Taiwan, after which I will be studying at the University of Paris for half a year. At the latest, I'll be back at school here by September. As amazing as my time abroad will be, I will truly miss roaming around Philadelphia and Lower Merion. But please do stick around - I'm sure that I'll have way more than enough to blog about once I'm in Europe, and I've still got a bit of Philadelphia-area content which I haven't yet had the time to upload and write about.
Then and Now: 30-36 E. Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore
Pictured here is 30-34 E. Lancaster Avenue before and after an ambitious first-floor facade renovation by the team behind J.R. Monaghan's Pub & Grille, which deserves enormous credit for filling the enormous black hole left behind by the dingy All Natural Market. The first-floor renovation was so successful that it's difficult today to imagine how abysmal the building looked less than a year ago without consulting a photograph. However, it would be unfair not to note that a good many facade renovations in Ardmore would not have happened without 50-50 matching grants provided by its Business Improvement District, the Ardmore Initiative, where I previously interned. The ability of BIDs, downtown development corporations, and other Main Street programs to leverage state and federal grant funds to encourage redevelopment can provide a crucial starting point for small town revitalization.
Original Image: "036-30 E Lancaster Ave." 2007. Lower Merion/Narberth Buildings. Lowermerionhistory.org. Lower Merion Historical Society. 15 Dec. 2008. http://lowermerionhistory.org/buildings/data/buildings/images/originals/LancasterSouthSideE036-30_4208.JPG
Monday, December 15, 2008
Then and Now: the Ardmore Trolley and Llanerch Railway Station, Ardmore
Though Philadelphia's Main Line suburbs came to existence thanks largely to the efforts of the mighty Pennsylvania Railroad, it was not long before the city's rapidly growing streetcar and trolley network made its way into Delaware and Montgomery Counties. The Philadelphia and West Chester Traction Company (later known as the Philadelphia Suburban Transit Company) first brought surburban trolley service to Llanerch and south Ardmore in 1902. Service was extended to Lancaster Pike three years later with the opening of the Ardmore trolley terminal, a short walk from the Pennsylvania Railroad's Ardmore Station.
Unfortunately, trolley service between downtown Ardmore and West Philadelphia did not survive America's postwar public transportation crisis. The Philadelphia Surburban Transit Company ended service to Ardmore in 1966, and the trolley station and tracks were demolished and replaced by a pocket park and (of course) an adjoining parking lot. The pocket park has subsequently been renamed Schauffele Plaza, and underwent a facelift several years ago as part of Ardmore's streetscape improvement project. It the only public park and seating area downtown, and is a stop for several SEPTA bus routes. Three of the PSTC's more fortunate suburban trolley lines are still operated today by SEPTA - routes 101, 102, and the 100 high-speed line.
Source: "Montgomery County: The Second Hundred Years - 1983." Lowermerionhistory.org. 15 Dec. 2008. http://www.lowermerionhistory.org/texts/first200/transportation_6.html
Original Image: "Ardmore Trolley and Llanarch Railway Stations, Ardmore." c. 1910. Lower Merion Historical Society Archives. Lowermerionhistory.org. Lower Merion Historical Society. 10 Dec. 2008. http://www.lowermerionhistory.org/photodb/full/115-4.jpg
Unfortunately, trolley service between downtown Ardmore and West Philadelphia did not survive America's postwar public transportation crisis. The Philadelphia Surburban Transit Company ended service to Ardmore in 1966, and the trolley station and tracks were demolished and replaced by a pocket park and (of course) an adjoining parking lot. The pocket park has subsequently been renamed Schauffele Plaza, and underwent a facelift several years ago as part of Ardmore's streetscape improvement project. It the only public park and seating area downtown, and is a stop for several SEPTA bus routes. Three of the PSTC's more fortunate suburban trolley lines are still operated today by SEPTA - routes 101, 102, and the 100 high-speed line.
Source: "Montgomery County: The Second Hundred Years - 1983." Lowermerionhistory.org. 15 Dec. 2008. http://www.lowermerionhistory.org/texts/first200/transportation_6.html
Original Image: "Ardmore Trolley and Llanarch Railway Stations, Ardmore." c. 1910. Lower Merion Historical Society Archives. Lowermerionhistory.org. Lower Merion Historical Society. 10 Dec. 2008. http://www.lowermerionhistory.org/photodb/full/115-4.jpg
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Nanzhou Handdrawn Noodle House
This is easily one of the best noodle soups to be found anywhere, and if I lived in Chinatown I would surely be a regular patron. Having grown up mostly in Taiwan, I've had my fair share of noodles. But I still do miss these when I'm back in Asia, which truly speaks to how great they are, and makes me infinitely grateful to live near a Chinatown as great as Philadelphia's. In fact one of the things I enjoy most about urban living is the ability to eat truly well, and hence there will always be a place for food on this blog.
Nanzhou Handdrawn Noodle House
927 Race St
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Friday, December 12, 2008
Then and Now: 17th and Ludlow looking south, Philadelphia
The shops on the right side of the original photo were replaced by the United Plaza building (and plaza) in 1976. The hotel building now that houses the Westin was finished in 1990 alongside Two Liberty Place and its enclosed shopping gallery and rotunda.
Source: "United Plaza, Philadelphia." Emporis.com. 11 Dec. 2008. http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=117954
Original Image: "Department of City Transit-39618-0." 1959. Philadelphia City Archives. PhillyHistory.org. Philadelphia Department of Records. 1 Dec. 2008. http://www.phillyhistory.org/PhotoArchive/MediaStream.ashx?mediaId=59339
Source: "United Plaza, Philadelphia." Emporis.com. 11 Dec. 2008. http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=117954
Original Image: "Department of City Transit-39618-0." 1959. Philadelphia City Archives. PhillyHistory.org. Philadelphia Department of Records. 1 Dec. 2008. http://www.phillyhistory.org/PhotoArchive/MediaStream.ashx?mediaId=59339
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Then and Now: The Williamson Store, Ardmore
The Williamson Store originally stood at the southeast corner of Lancaster Avenue and Ardmore Avenue, and was completed sometime before 1908. The block housed four storefronts and was one of the first brick structures to be built on Lancaster Avenue, heralding a wave a commercial development that would quickly transform the then residential avenue into a fully built-out town center within two decades. Unfortunately, the stores and estates on downtown's edges were the hardest hit by the pressures of auto-centric development after WWII. Today, Lancaster Avenue any west of here quickly disintegrates into a world of surface parking, strip malls, and car dealerships. Not pictured behind Bryn Mawr Trust's prefab fortress is its always spacious parking lot (how much parking does a bank need anyways?)
Source: "Properties on the Main Line Pennsylvania Railroad from Overbrook to Paoli."Atlas. Philadelphia: A.H. Mueller, 1908.
Original Image: "Williamson Store, Ardmore." 1911. Lower Merion Historical Society Archives. Lowermerionhistory.org. Lower Merion Historical Society. 8 Nov. 2008.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Then and Now: Southwest corner of 18th and Arch, Philadelphia
The handsome Philadelphia YWCA building was completed in 1891 across the street from the Arch Street Presbyterian Church. Shortly after the original photo was taken by the Historical Commission, the building was demolished in the summer of 1980. After sitting vacant for nearly 30 years, the site is now the proposed location of the American Commerce Center, a supertall to rise over 1500 feet upon completion. The proposal has thus far been cruising through the approvals process with enthusiastic support from city hall and the Planning Commission. Anything else you could possibly want to know about the project can probably be found on its Skyscraperpage thread.
Source: Philadelphia Architects and Buildings.
Original Image: "Historic Commission - PAB-20526-4." May 1980. Philadelphia City Archives. PhillyHistory.org. Philadelphia Department of Records. 23 Nov. 2008. http://www.phillyhistory.org/PhotoArchive/MediaStream.ashx?mediaId=9141
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Then and Now: 6-10 E. Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore
The three-story Tudor revival building which once occupied 6-10 East Lancaster Avenue was completed in 1911 next to the Ardmore and Llanerch trolley terminal. The Randegg Block, as it was known, was demolished in 1946 and replaced several years later by the nondescript one-story building which stands there today. It's interesting to wonder why the property owner decided not to include residential units in the new building, and the comparison gives the uncanny impression of watching a shrinking town. The original photogragh seems like it was taken sometime before the 1930s, at a time when Lancaster Pike moved at a significantly slower pace. I can only imagine what the views from those bay windows must have been like.
Source: Lower Merion Township: Searchable HR Database. Lower Merion Township Historical Commission. 5 Dec. 2008. http://www.lowermerion.org/Index.aspx?page=437. Search: 6 E. Lancaster Ave.
Original Photo: "Lancaster Avenue Retail Stores, Ardmore." Lower Merion Historical Society Archives. Lowermerionhistory.org. Lower Merion Historical Society. 5 Dec. 2008.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Then and Now: 16th and Chestnut looking east, Philadelphia
Original Image: "Department of City Transit-39795-0." 1959. Philadelphia City Archives. PhillyHistory.org. Philadelphia Department of Records. 1 Dec. 2008. http://www.phillyhistory.org/PhotoArchive/MediaStream.ashx?mediaId=52371
Monday, December 1, 2008
Then and Now: Southeast Corner of 11th and Arch, Philadelphia
The elevated parking deck that now runs over 11th Street between Filbert and Arch Streets was built in 1984 to accomodate the expansion of the Gallery at Market East. The Hilton Garden Inn was built on top of the garage in 2000, at which point the tacky pastel columns were added by Cope Linder Architects in an attempt to make the garage somewhat less unpalatable. The 11th Street underpass is home to one of the few Wawas left in Center City as well as a Chinatown Bus stop. Its key redeeming feature however, is the presence of Dim Sum Garden, an unassuming little joint which is one of the few establishments in the region that makes highly recommendable Shanghainese soup dumplings (or xiao long bao - 小籠包) and other authentically delicious Chinese fare. So I guess it's not all bad.
A nice overview of the Gallery [Labelscar]
Craig Laban couldn't keep Dim Sum Garden a secret [Philadelphia Inquirer]
Because one review doesn't do it justice [PhilaDining Blog]
Source: Belden, Tom. "Hilton Garden Inn to rise in unused space above a Center City garage." The Philadelphia Inquirer. 19 Apr. 1999. Newsbank Access World News. Haverford College Library. Haverford, PA. 1 Dec. 2008.
Original Photo: "Historic Commission - PAB-41209-0." 1960. Philadelphia City Archives. PhillyHistory.org. Philadelphia Department of Records. 1 Nov. 2008.
A nice overview of the Gallery [Labelscar]
Craig Laban couldn't keep Dim Sum Garden a secret [Philadelphia Inquirer]
Because one review doesn't do it justice [PhilaDining Blog]
Source: Belden, Tom. "Hilton Garden Inn to rise in unused space above a Center City garage." The Philadelphia Inquirer. 19 Apr. 1999. Newsbank Access World News. Haverford College Library. Haverford, PA. 1 Dec. 2008.
Original Photo: "Historic Commission - PAB-41209-0." 1960. Philadelphia City Archives. PhillyHistory.org. Philadelphia Department of Records. 1 Nov. 2008.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Then and Now: 17th and John F. Kennedy Boulevard looking north, Philadelphia
The Sheraton Penn Center hotel (left) was completed in 1957 during the first phase of the development of the Penn Center highrise and office district. The 21-story modernist tower was later rechristened as the Philadelphia Centre Hotel before falling victim to a major hotel industry downturn in the 80s, which ultimately led to its demolition in 1988. Initial redevelopment plans were halted during the recession that shortly followed, and the site remained an empty lot for more than a decade, up until the completion of Liberty Property Trust's 57-story Comcast Center earlier this year.
Old images of Penn Center [Athenaeum of Philadelphia]
Source: Hine, Thomas. "None rise to champion the doomed Centre Hotel." Philadelphia Inquirer. 11 Oct. 1987. Newsbank Access World News. Haverford College Library, Haverford, PA. 29 Nov. 2008.
Original Image: "Department of City Transit-39617-0." 1959. Philadelphia City Archives. PhillyHistory.org. Philadelphia Department of Records. 23 Nov. 2008. http://www.phillyhistory.org/PhotoArchive/MediaStream.ashx?mediaId=59337
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Colonial Row. Ardmore, PA
c. 1940s - 2008
The row of 8 colonial revival buildings on the south side of West Lancaster Avenue (only 6 shown) was built between 1900 and 1908 on the former estate of a certain Dr. S.B.S. Smith and was once known as "Colonial Row." Unlike nearly every other part of downtown, this row of buildings in partilar has been especially resilient to rehabilitation, and continues to lack strong retail tenants. I have always been particularly irked by the fact that several businesses in this row choose to leave their Lancaster Avenue storefronts barren and uninviting, letting pedestrians looking through their windows see nothing but empty rooms. Sometimes they're kind of enough to put up crudely made signs that say "parking in back." How do they get by? Well, let's take a walk around the back.
Of course, there is hope yet. The long-term plan for the Ardmore Transit Center development includes a substantial residential building to replace the Cricket Lot, which will draw more pedestrian life to downtown and force businesses to face the street again. This, however, is unlikely to materialize within the next few years. Nonetheless, I remain hopeful that the next century will be friendlier to Colonial Row. The day it is fully restored to its original form, it will be a miraculous trophy piece and great source of pride for a downtown that has finally come back.
Ardmore Transit Center [Lower Merion Township]
Sources:
1. Property Atlas of the Main Line, Pennsylvania. Atlas. Philadelphia: Franklin Survey Company, 1961
2. Lower Merion Township: Searchable HR Database. Lower Merion Township Historical Commission. 25 Nov. 2008. http://www.lowermerion.org/Index.aspx?page=437. Search: 18 W Lancaster Ave.
Original Image: "Lancaster Avenue Commercial Block, Ardmore." Lower Merion Historical Society Archives. Lowermerionhistory.org. Lower Merion Historical Society. Nov. 23, 2008. http://www.lowermerionhistory.org/photodb/full/114-2.jpg
Bird's eye view courtesy of Live Search Maps
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Then and Now: Northwest Corner of Lancaster and Station Avenues, Ardmore
"N. Harrison Store, Ardmore." 1911. Lower Merion Historical Society Archives. Lowermerionhistory.org. Lower Merion Historical Society. Nov. 23, 2008. http://www.lowermerionhistory.org/photodb/full/114-1.jpg.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Then and Now: 300 block of Market Street, Philadelphia
Today, the brick buildings that stand at 314-322 Market Street and their enclosed courtyard are well known as Franklin Court, a museum run by the National Park Service in honor of Benjamin Franklin on the site of the home which he built for himself. In the courtyard is the famous metal "ghost" of Franklin's house, designed by the firm of Robert Venturi and completed in 1976. Less known, however is the fact that the brick faux-colonial buildings on Market Street are also reconstructions from the 70s.
Original Photo: "Historic Commission-12380-3." 1971. Philadelphia City Archives. PhillyHistory.org. Philadelphia Department of Records. Oct. 26, 2008. http://www.phillyhistory.org/PhotoArchive/MediaStream.ashx?mediaId=127891
Original Photo: "Historic Commission-12380-3." 1971. Philadelphia City Archives. PhillyHistory.org. Philadelphia Department of Records. Oct. 26, 2008. http://www.phillyhistory.org/PhotoArchive/MediaStream.ashx?mediaId=127891
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
A brief introduction: Ardmore, Pennsylvania
Then and Now: Northwest Corner of 3rd and Brown, Philadelphia
I haven't been able to identify the original building but it's loss was surely a sad one for Northern Liberties. I have high expectations for the ultra-hip condo building that will probably go up here in the near future.
Original Photo: Cuneo. "Department of Public Property-37487-0." 1959. Philadelphia City Archives. PhillyHistory.org. Philadelphia Department of Records. Nov. 16, 2008. http://www.phillyhistory.org/PhotoArchive/MediaStream.ashx?mediaId=140889
Friday, November 14, 2008
Then and Now: 216-222 Market St, Philadelphia
The original photo is undated, though looking at the cars I would guess that it was taken sometime during the 70s or late 60s.
Original Image: "Historic Commission-12379-64" Philadelphia City Archives. PhillyHistory.org. Philadelphia Department of Records. Oc. 26, 2008. http://www.phillyhistory.org/PhotoArchive/MediaStream.ashx?mediaId=127871.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Then and Now: Southeast Corner of 2nd and Market, Philadelphia
Though its history as such seems well-hidden today, the corner of 2nd and Market was once the nexus of colonial Philadelphia. Originally known as High Street, for the first half of Philadelphia's history its median was occupied by market sheds which began at the docks and stretched as far west as the city had grown. Completed in 1710, the city's town hall and courthouse stood at this intersection in the center of High Street - at the city's civic and commercial core. By 1850, the High Street Market had stretched as far as 11 blocks to the west. The city's epicenter however, had shifted as well. The town hall was demolished in 1837, and the market sheds were abolished in 1858, only one year after the official renaming of High Street as Market Street. By the mid-20th century, the area now known as Old City had become a largely dilapidated warehouse and slum district.

Nonetheless, the corner has had some significance in Philly's recent past. It stands at the heart of a revitalized Old City, and it was here that Stephen Starr launched his first foray into restaurateur-dom over a decade ago by recreating the very retro Continental diner as a hip martini bar, planting the seeds of a restaurant empire that has been the major figurehead of Philadelphia's dining renaissance
Nonetheless, the corner has had some significance in Philly's recent past. It stands at the heart of a revitalized Old City, and it was here that Stephen Starr launched his first foray into restaurateur-dom over a decade ago by recreating the very retro Continental diner as a hip martini bar, planting the seeds of a restaurant empire that has been the major figurehead of Philadelphia's dining renaissance
Sources: Tatum, George B. Penn's Great Town. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania, 1961.
Original Image: "Historic Commission-12825-34." 1972. Philadelphia City Archives. PhillyHistory.org. Philadelphia Department of Records. Oct. 26, 2008. http://www.phillyhistory.org/PhotoArchive/MediaStream.ashx?mediaId=152629.
Picture of Town Hall: Public Works: 13112-0." 1916. Philadelphia City Archives. PhillyHistory.org. Philadelphia Department of Records. Nov. 11, 2008. http://www.phillyhistory.org/PhotoArchive/MediaStream.ashx?mediaId=59923
Picture of Town Hall: Public Works: 13112-0." 1916. Philadelphia City Archives. PhillyHistory.org. Philadelphia Department of Records. Nov. 11, 2008. http://www.phillyhistory.org/PhotoArchive/MediaStream.ashx?mediaId=59923
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Then and Now: 11th and Race looking east, Philadelphia
Apart from its many culinary wonders, Chinatown is a rather fascinating place. Quite unlike much of downtown, many of Philadelphia's old warehouses and factories still stand in Chinatown behind the neon and backlit signs. The transition from the area from an industrial district to a lively mixed-use residential and services-oriented neighborhood is perhaps one of our downtown's most overlooked yet fascinating stories. The factory building on the very right of the picture has been converted to a multi-story parking structure and houses a well-known noodle restaurant on the ground floor. The terra cotta tower at 1010 Race St. now houses luxury condos, and the street is home to several restaurants, bakeries, shops, and a supermarket.
Original Image: "Department of City Transit-39532-0." 1959. Philadelphia City Archives. PhillyHistory.org. Philadelphia Department of Records. 3 Nov. 2008. http://www.phillyhistory.org/PhotoArchive/MediaStream.ashx?mediaId=25825.
Original Image: "Department of City Transit-39532-0." 1959. Philadelphia City Archives. PhillyHistory.org. Philadelphia Department of Records. 3 Nov. 2008. http://www.phillyhistory.org/PhotoArchive/MediaStream.ashx?mediaId=25825.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
New transit signs for Center City
I'm guessing that full implementation will not be until next year, and that the current design could be tweaked before then, but I have to say that at the moment these new signs are an unfortunate disappointment coming from the CCD, surely one of Philadelphia's most progressive and successful de facto city planning agencies.
The potential here is enormous. Though SEPTA has made an impressive turnaround in the region this year partly thanks to rising gas prices, it has a long way to go in shedding its dowdy and outdated image. Sure it desperately needs to improve service and physically fix up the decrepit Broad Street Line and underground trolley stops, but I wouldn't at all underestimate the wonders that good, distinct design and signage can do for how tourists and citizens alike perceive SEPTA. There are precious few world-class transit networks in the world that do not have well-designed wayfinding and signage systems. Need an example?
Not saying that producing a sign like that would be practical today, but many great transit systems like those in Paris, London, Hong Kong, or Boston here in the States have distinct signage systems that contribute greatly to the experiences of their users. Clearly, this is was one of the motivations behind the project, taken from PATCO's press release:
"Great cities have great transit systems made memorable by their visibility, clarity of signage and direction, and ease of use," added Meryl Levitz, president and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation. "Philadelphia has an extraordinary opportunity to transform its transit system into one of the finest and friendliest in the world and implementation of this transit sign project represents a "significant step in that direction."Yet I fear that the transit signs that went up last week fall far too short of that goal. It's true that green is all the rage these days but it's not a very striking color. I'm no design expert but the signs don't strike me as being bold enough or clear enough. If you've got an opinion on these definitely take the survey on the CCD's website. Let's hope that the final product will be a lot better as a result.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Then and Now: Northeast corner of 4th and South, Philadelphia
It is well known that there are few streets in Philadelphia as storied as South Street, and its a history that I could not to justice to at this moment. Suffice it to say, its ability to reinvent itself and its resilience to destruction under the pressures of 20th century urban planning and economics are truly remarkable. At the time of the original photo, South Street's entire existence was threatened by emerging plans for the Crosstown Expressway. The victory of neighborhood groups in their fight against the project is well known and deservedly revered. Though the strip has lost much of its bohemian flair since then (note the Starbucks), it remains one of the city's liveliest and most beloved streets.
As of now, the South Street Headhouse District's streetscape project is nearing completion. Entirely new streetlights (visible above), sidewalks, and street trees have been put into place, and will ensure that South Street has many great years to come.
A History of I-695 [Philly Roads]
Original Photo: Carollo, R. "Historic Commission-50503-0." 1963. Philadelphia City Archives. PhillyHistory.org. Philadelphia Department of Records. 26 Oct. 2008. http://www.phillyhistory.org/PhotoArchive/MediaStream.ashx?mediaId=108471
As of now, the South Street Headhouse District's streetscape project is nearing completion. Entirely new streetlights (visible above), sidewalks, and street trees have been put into place, and will ensure that South Street has many great years to come.
A History of I-695 [Philly Roads]
Original Photo: Carollo, R. "Historic Commission-50503-0." 1963. Philadelphia City Archives. PhillyHistory.org. Philadelphia Department of Records. 26 Oct. 2008. http://www.phillyhistory.org/PhotoArchive/MediaStream.ashx?mediaId=108471
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Then and Now: the Aldine Theater, 19th and Chestnut, Philadelphia
Sorry about the long break; I was away from the computer traveling up the East Coast for a week. I'll start writing more as soon as I can. Promise. In the meantime, here's a quick then and now:
The corner of 19th and Chestnut certainly had a lot more pizazz in the '20s, back when movie palaces thrived throughout the city. The other renown theater on Chestnut street, the Boyd, has been awaiting restoration and development for years, though plans are in the works to incorporate it into a new hotel complex. Even though the current occupant of what was once the Aldine may not be particularly exciting, the building remains at the very least functional and well-preserved on the exterior. Plus, nowadays a film like The Singing Fool would be somewhat politically incorrect...to put it very lightly.
More on the Aldine [ PhillyHistory ]
New hope for the Boyd [ Philadelphia Inquirer]
Original Photo: Gee, William A. “Public Works -26141-0-A.” 1928. Philadelphia City Archives. Phillyhistory.org. Philadelphia Department of Records. 20 Oct. 2008. http://www.phillyhistory.org/PhotoArchive/MediaStream.ashx?mediaId=37947
The corner of 19th and Chestnut certainly had a lot more pizazz in the '20s, back when movie palaces thrived throughout the city. The other renown theater on Chestnut street, the Boyd, has been awaiting restoration and development for years, though plans are in the works to incorporate it into a new hotel complex. Even though the current occupant of what was once the Aldine may not be particularly exciting, the building remains at the very least functional and well-preserved on the exterior. Plus, nowadays a film like The Singing Fool would be somewhat politically incorrect...to put it very lightly.
More on the Aldine [ PhillyHistory ]
New hope for the Boyd [ Philadelphia Inquirer]
Original Photo: Gee, William A. “Public Works -26141-0-A.” 1928. Philadelphia City Archives. Phillyhistory.org. Philadelphia Department of Records. 20 Oct. 2008. http://www.phillyhistory.org/PhotoArchive/MediaStream.ashx?mediaId=37947
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Then and Now: 10th and Arch looking east
Clearly, the last 94 years haven't been the greatest for the 900 block of Arch Street and in fact most of Center City east of Broad Street. Most of what wasn't lost to abandonment and neglect (like the buildings on this block) met the wrecking ball in the name of urban renewal. Consequently, little remains of the heart of downtown's old commercial and industrial core, and vestiges of its illustrious Gilded Age past have all but disappeared.
http://www.phillyhistory.org/PhotoArchive/MediaStream.ashx?mediaId=9739
Then and Now: 16th and Market looking west
To anyone unfamiliar with Philadelphia's 20th century history the above photo can be pretty misleading. The intense development of the Market West office district over the past 50 years took place during the worst years of the city's overall decline.
http://www.phillyhistory.org/PhotoArchive/MediaStream.ashx?mediaId=52349
Friday, October 3, 2008
Model Homes - 樣品屋
No matter how much one loves Taipei, it's nearly impossible to speak favorably about the architecture of most things built there since World War II, most of which can be summed up as being either soulless modernist apartment blocks or gaudy and equally unsightly post-modernist creations. Furthermore, it doesn't help that most non-office buildings are clad in dull ceramic tile to minimize the visible effects of pollution. Perhaps our architecture's greatest fault however, is its lack of originality or boldness. Building designs and layouts are shamelessly recycled (sometimes literally), and this is especially true of residential construction.
There are important and conspicuous exceptions however - they just don't stay around for very long. Taiwanese developers of residential construction have long had a somewhat wasteful habit of building elaborate model home and sales office complexes before tearing them down to replace them with the real thing. This is what these model homes tend to look like:

For as long as I can remember, model home designs have followed a starkly different aesthetic than the prevailing vernacular style. While permanent construction rejects clean white facades and glass walls, model homes never fail to embrace them. The playfulness of their volumes provide sharp contrast with the resolutely boxy towers that inevitably replace them. As a matter of fact, I have never come across a single real building built in "model home" style.


I've long thought that choice of architectural style is symbolic. For example it is a means through which corporations have projected images of themselves to the public - power through height and bulk, transparency and innovation through glass, and many other symbolisms. The same idea rings true for residential styles as well. What has always confused me then is the strange disconnect between the image that developers first present and the image of the final product. One seems to project innovation and creativity, while the other presents anything but. Nonetheless, it's apparently been a very successful model. I have always wondered whether this is a conscious decision, and if so, what in the world the philosophy behind it is.
There are important and conspicuous exceptions however - they just don't stay around for very long. Taiwanese developers of residential construction have long had a somewhat wasteful habit of building elaborate model home and sales office complexes before tearing them down to replace them with the real thing. This is what these model homes tend to look like:
For as long as I can remember, model home designs have followed a starkly different aesthetic than the prevailing vernacular style. While permanent construction rejects clean white facades and glass walls, model homes never fail to embrace them. The playfulness of their volumes provide sharp contrast with the resolutely boxy towers that inevitably replace them. As a matter of fact, I have never come across a single real building built in "model home" style.
I've long thought that choice of architectural style is symbolic. For example it is a means through which corporations have projected images of themselves to the public - power through height and bulk, transparency and innovation through glass, and many other symbolisms. The same idea rings true for residential styles as well. What has always confused me then is the strange disconnect between the image that developers first present and the image of the final product. One seems to project innovation and creativity, while the other presents anything but. Nonetheless, it's apparently been a very successful model. I have always wondered whether this is a conscious decision, and if so, what in the world the philosophy behind it is.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Then and Now: Southeast Corner of 9th and South, Philadelphia
This is the first of a series of then and now montages that I hopefully will be presenting regularly. This first one, generously made possible by PhillyHistory.org, shows the southeast corner of 9th and South Streets. The buildings on the corner stand essentially as they did half a century ago, the only significant changes being the loss of architectural detail on their facades - especially apparent on the building on the very left and the little row house just off the corner, which has unfortunately lost its cornice and part of the original storefront. Also noteworthy is the disappearance of the trolley wire and tracks.
Finally, it would be wrong for me not to give enormous thanks to Spacing Montréal for providing the inspiration for this feature. It's beyond cool - check it out.
Finally, it would be wrong for me not to give enormous thanks to Spacing Montréal for providing the inspiration for this feature. It's beyond cool - check it out.
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