What is it about old buildings!? Have you ever seen a building and thought “Wow, that old building is amazing!” or “They sure don’t make them like that anymore!”
The Nineteenth century, mostly the latter half of the 1800s, produced some stunning architecture. These structures were designed and built all over the world. Sadly, many are not standing today.
Looking at pictures of these old buildings we see steeply pitched roofs, gables, bay windows, towers and turrets, decorative trim and a certain gothic influence. Words describing 19th century architecture include ornate, eclectic, asymmetrical, stately, sublime and grandiose. The world evolved in the 1800s: it was a time of industrialization, expansion, change, revolution, innovation and reform.
A search for “what is architecture” results in the following:
“The definition according to the Dictionary of Architecture and Construction is simply that architecture refers to the art and science of designing and building structures, or large groups of structures, in keeping with aesthetic and functional criteria.” Archisoup
“Architecture is – and can’t be anything but – the organization and form of physical space.” Architecture and Education
“Architecture is the process of creating buildings, which includes functional and aesthetic components. It brings together an entire gamut of professionals who come together to craft a master plan, which synergizes input of building material and a logical design process leading to the output of a properly constructed building. This end-to-end process defines architecture and its beauty.” Novatr
“Architecture for the non-architect is consumer product, real estate, useful tool, societal expression, experiential setting.” AIA Pittsburgh
And lot’s more! However we describe it, these old buildings are remarkable and exciting to explore through the eyes of their photographers. What an amazing time in the history of architecture!
Thanks to Old World Architecture for the images and descriptions.
The Federal Hotel and Coffee Palace, Melbourne. Built 1888, demolished 1973.
The New York County Courthouse, also known as the New York State Supreme Court Building. Located at 60 Centre Street in New York City. Built from 1919 to 1927.
St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, England. Built 1675 to 1710. Designed in the English Baroque style by Sir Christopher Wren. At 365 feet high, it was the tallest building in London until 1963.
The Palacio Salvo, located at the intersection of 18 de Julio Avenue and Plaza Independencia in Montevideo, Uruguay. Finished in 1928, the 27-story Palacio Salvo stands 105 m (344 ft) high. It was the tallest building in Latin America for a brief period, at its completion it was the tallest reinforced concrete structure in the world.
The Marlborough-Blenheim Hotel. Atlantic City, NJ. Built 1902-1906. When the hotel opened, it was the largest reinforced concrete building in the world. Demolished in 1978 to be replaced by Bally’s Park Place.
The Sioux City Corn Palace of 1890, Sioux City, Iowa. Built for the 1890 Festival, the palace featured a 200-foot main tower and six 100-foot towers. The palace also included a miniature valley, a 1,200-seat auditorium, and a giant globe made of corn that mapped various countries. This was one of a series of Corn Palaces built from 1887-1891 for the annual Sioux City Fall Festival.
The Plaza Hotel, New York City. Built from 1905 to 1907. A luxury hotel and condominium apartment building in Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Added to the NRHP in 1978.
Grand pre-entrance for the 1926 Sesquicentennial Exposition, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 80-foot tall “Luminous Liberty Bell” spanning Broad Street (at Johnson St), Philadelphia, PA was built in 47 days by Frank C. English & Sons for the 1926 Sesqui-Centennial International Exposition. The bell was illuminated with 26,000 15-watt light bulbs set at six-inch centers and eight 200-watt projectors in the clapper. The structure contained 80 tons of steel resting on a foundation of 30-foot wooden pilings with a concrete capping. Demolished in 1927.
The Oceanographic Museum of Monaco. Constructed from 1899-1910.
The Manhattan Municipal Building, New York City. Built between 1909 and 1914. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
Old Building Image Credits:
- Images and descriptions courtesy of Old World Architecture
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