The Northwestern folks commissioned architect Phillip Merz to design a monumentally impressive bank building that would stand out on a corner that already boasted such great architecture as the Lorraine Hotel, Park Theatre, and American Trust Loan and Guarantee Investment Company. Following the trend of neoclassical architecture that was so popular at the time–new money must look old, now isn’t that the story here?–Merz gave them a 50′ x 90′ stone monolith. It was built in 1918 and boasted Anti-Hydro, a high tech waterproofing concrete, for its foundation. It cost $200,000–over $2 million today.

I read a really fun article lately that made a humorous proposal for a David Lynch monument in Callowhill. Lynch has repeatedly cited Philadelphia, and more specifically Callowhill as the inspiration for everything he’s done to date. I’m envisioning his trademarked zig zag floor pattern covering the path up the Reading Viaduct towards a statue of the alien baby from Eraserhead. It was a silly off the cuff proposal, but whether you like Lynch or not (or perhaps more applicable, whether you GET him or not), he is one of the most prolific film makers of the late 20th Century, and although he’d probably loathe what’s become of his neighborhood, the fact that he credits this industrial relic as his muse could be used to the neighborhood’s advantage.

Vote for Trestle Inn in Best of Philly 2012

Best of Philly 2012Taking a cue from our friends over at West Philly Local, I would like to point out we have an Eraserhood business up for a Best of Philly 2012 award: Trestle Inn was nominated in the City Brunch category.

You can help  Trestle Inn win by casting your votes on this page. You can come back and vote daily until Monday, May 21. The awards will be announced in Philadelphia Magazine’s August issue.

J & J Trestle Inn, 04

Photo license: AttributionShare Alike Some rights reserved By waving at you

The phrase “hulking building” is often used when describing Philadelphia’s former industrial structures, grand abandoned hotels, and so on. Yet perhaps there is one huge/forsaken/troubled building that best exemplifies what a hulking building is in Philly: the Willow Street Steam Generation Plant.