Throughout the great depression the sign remained lit 24 hours a day reassuring its customers that their money was safe and secure during hard times.
Psfs building roof.
The skyscraper is topped by a distinctive sign with the philadelphia saving fund society s initials.
It was built for the philadelphia saving later savings fund society in 1932 and was designed by architects william lescaze and george howe.
The typical plan shows how elevators and ducts are concentrated in one smooth block.
Date possibly 1929 or 1930 when construction started.
The philadelphia savings fund society psfs building 12 south 19th street was designated a national historic landmark in 1976.
Psfs building commentary built by the oldest bank in the united states the psfs is a dramatic expression of the steel skeleton and the many identical floors of the modern office building.
Photocopy of rendering of psfs building by d e.
Philadelphia pa from the roof of the psfs building.
The psfs building now known as the loews philadelphia hotel is a skyscraper in center city philadelphia pennsylvania a national historic landmark the building was the first international style skyscraper constructed in the united states.
The 27 feet 8 2 m high letters are white by day and illuminated with red neon lights by night.
Removal of the first roof truss july 1972.
The sign hides mechanical equipment and can be seen for 20 miles 32 km.
It s called that because of how widespread the style has become.
At the time the sign was put up such acronyms were unheard of.
The psfs building in 1985.
Above the fifth floor the building assumes its characteristic t shape.
New york has a few international style buildings but a lot of the.
Philadelphia saving fund society twelfth and market streets habs pa 51 phila 584 1 tif 4 007 5 000.
Having the psfs sign on the roof of the building was the first time any advertisement was integrated into a building s design.
Photos are from the historic american buildings survey habs pa 1533 collection 1985 jack boucher photographer.
Psfs building is in the background.
Portions of the content on this web page were adapted from a copy of the national register of historic places nomination document.
It was built for the philadelphia saving later savings fund society in 1932 and was designed by architects william lescaze and george howe.
