A large number of impressive structures rose in Center City in the first three decades of the 20th century. Several were built in close proximity to City Hall, such as The Metropolitan at 117 North 15th Street in Center City. Designed by Louis E. Jallade, who designed various structures in New York and beyond, the high-rise started construction in 1926 and was completed in 1928. The 26-story tower, which stands just to the northeast of the iconic Love Park, currently houses residential space.
YMCA Armed Forces Building. Image via Digital Commonwealth
The building’s shape itself seems basic when overlooking the structure, but the façade is greatly enhanced with the stone and masonry details. The footprint and floor plates of the building is shaped like a capital H to the 23rd floor, and the structure continues three more floors higher on the east side of the building. On the north and south face where there are voids between the split floor plates, with stone-clad arches connecting both halves , giving the building a distinct character. The cornices feature terracotta highlights.
The structure was originally built as the YMCA Armed Forces Building, where the top of the tower used to feature two flag piles and a large logo for the YMCA in the center of the roof. The structure was purchased in 1980 to be converted into the luxury Metropolitan Apartments.
YMCA’s Armed Forces Building from another building. Image via Digital Commonwealth
The Metropolitan (bottom center) from One Liberty Place. Photo by Thomas Koloski
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A lovely, graceful building, indeed. -Jim