6 Cities With Buildings That Left A Legacy
See what amazing architecture was created in cities like Winston-Salem and Boston before their designers became famous
If you think the Empire State Building bears a resemblance to the Reynolds Building in Winston-Salem, you’d be right—the same architects designed them both.
When we think about a city’s character, we reflect on its food, weather, people and culture. But one of the key ingredients that shapes a town’s personality and puts it on the map is its buildings. Here’s a look at some of the country’s shining architectural gems—many of which were designed by legendary architects now known for other famous projects.
Trace big-city inspiration to Winston-Salem, North Carolina
This onetime tobacco industry stronghold has a little-known place in architectural history. Affectionately called the “Camel City” after R.J. Reynolds’ camel mascot, Winston-Salem has been the hub of the tobacco titan since 1875. But few people know about the amazing architecture behind the company’s 21-story, circa-1929 onetime headquarters, the Reynolds Building. This Art Deco-style property, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, was designed by architects Shreve & Lamb, who also designed the Empire State Building. The firm has said it drew inspiration for the New York City landmark from the Reynolds Building.
Look up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s historic Amtrak station
The City of Brotherly Love is chock-full of amazing architecture that spans centuries. But 30th Street Station is one of Philadelphia’s most impressive sights. Known for the intricate patterns on its high ceilings and travertine walls, the depot was designed by famed architects Graham, Anderson, Probst & White Associates and is a classic example of Art Deco-style architecture. 30th Street Station isn’t the only iconic structure on Graham, Anderson, Probst & White Associates’ CV. The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, the Wrigley Building and Chicago’s Union Station—also products of this firm—are some of the most prominent buildings in the country.
Find Finnish influence in Washington, D.C.
Slow down the next time you’re in Washington Dulles International Airport to admire the work of Eero Saarinen.
At first glance, it may look like Georgian architecture rules Washington, D.C., but some of the city’s most notable designs are far from traditional. There’s no better example than the Washington Dulles International Airport. In 1958, the main terminal was designed by Finnish-American Eero Saarinen, the mastermind behind the iconic Gateway Arch in St. Louis. Saarinen’s home decor designs (read: the tulip chair) have also become some of the most sought-after in modernist interiors around the world.
Discover European roots in The Big Easy
Stop by the St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans to see one of the city’s most notable buildings.
Today, despite tragedies like Hurricane Katrina, many of New Orleans original homes and buildings remain. The city’s distinct Creole architecture comes directly from its French and Spanish history, resulting in an eclectic mix of French and Spanish Colonial with Greek Revival. NOLA’s famed French Quarter exemplifies the city’s architectural history—cobblestone streets lined with Creole cottages and double-gallery and shotgun houses boasting wrought-iron balconies and gates. But one of its most notable architectural treasures is the Church of St. Louis, designed by J. N. B. de Pouilly. A French architect credited for much of the city’s aesthetic, de Pouilly also remodeled the Orleans Theatre and designed many ornate tombs in the area.
Find grit and gleam in Richmond, Virginia
Long before this southern town became known as a foodie destination, Virginia’s capital city was home to some seriously cool architecture. The most significant: downtown Richmond’s Egyptian Building, which is considered a prime example of Egyptian Revivalist architecture. On the opposite end of the spectrum is the modern Federal Reserve Bank tower designed by Minoru Yamasaki circa 1978. Considered one of the most prominent architects in the 20th century, Yamasaki’s greatest creation was the original twin towers at the World Trade Center, opened in 1973.
Go way back in Boston, Massachusetts
The Institute of Contemporary Art, located in South Boston’s Seaport District, was built in 2006 and designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro.
Yes, this is the land of the Patriots and Tom Brady. But long before pro football came to town, Boston’s role in a few key historic events (the American Revolution comes to mind) helped define the city’s amazing architecture. Boasting some of the oldest buildings in the country, Boston is home to traditional Federal-style row houses in the Back Bay and the Beaux-Arts-style Boston Public Library, which was designed by architect Charles Follen McKim of McKim, Mead and White. The firm famously had a hand in other iconic U.S. buildings, including New York’s Pennsylvania Station and the 1903 White House renovation. But it’s not colonial all day, every day. Modern architecture has its place in Beantown with the Frank Gehry-designed Stata Center at MIT and the Institute of Contemporary Art.
Ready to travel? Find hotels in Winston-Salem, Philadelphia, Washington, New Orleans, Boston, Richmond.
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