Monday, July 16, 2012

Pennsylvania Power & Light Building in Allentown, PA (Postcard Series)



From Historical Allentown.    Known locally as PP&L, the Pennsylvania Power and Light Building was built between 1926-1928. This classic Art-Deco skyscraper was designed by architect Harvey Corbett (1873-1954) of the firm of Helme & Corbett. 

A pioneer in skyscraper design, Corbett was one of several architects who planned Rockefeller Center in the 1930s. His assistant, the late Walter K. Harrison (1895-1984), who later went on to design the United Nations Building, Lincoln Center, and many other projects for the Rockefeller family, was the on-site architect. 

At the time it opened on June 30, 1928, the PP&L had the fastest elevators in the world. It was featured in the 1930 edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica as the best example of a modern office building.

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