Monastery at Large

Category: Architectural Movements and Styles

  • A.S. Beck (1936) – New York

    A.S. Beck (1936). 128 W. 34th Street, New York.
    A.S. Beck (1936). 128 W. 34th Street, New York.1

    Is it a relic sign or a fine example of Art Deco architecture? The answer is both.

    I admired this swanky old Manhattan storefront for years on my walks to and from Moynihan Train Hall, but for some reason, I only recently thought to take a picture of it.

    It was easy to find the opening-day newspaper advertisements for the A.S. Beck shoe store, but I’ve yet to determine the designer. Whoever it was, they did a swell job.

    References

    1. Advertisement. Daily News (New York), September 18, 1936, p. 16. ↩︎

  • Office of Stevens & Wilkinson (1947) – Atlanta

    Stevens & Wilkinson. Office of Stevens & Wilkinson (1947). Fairlie-Poplar, Atlanta.
    Stevens & Wilkinson. Office of Stevens & Wilkinson (1947). Fairlie-Poplar, Atlanta.1
    Office of Stevens & Wilkinson, Atlanta, date unknown
    Office of Stevens & Wilkinson, Atlanta, date unknown2

    References

    1. Stevens, Preston. Building a Firm: The Story of Stevens & Wilkinson Architects, Engineers, Planners Inc. Atlanta (1979). ↩︎
    2. Photo credit: ibid, p. 30. ↩︎

  • Kress (1937) – Birmingham, Alabama

    Edward F. Sibbert. S.H. Kress & Co. (1937). Birmingham, Alabama. 
    Edward F. Sibbert. S.H. Kress & Co. (1937). Birmingham, Alabama.1 2
    South facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    South facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Awning and second-floor windows on the south facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Awning and second-floor windows on the south facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Rooftop sign on the south facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Rooftop sign on the south facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Rooftop sign on the west facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Rooftop sign on the west facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Flagmast on the southwest corner of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Flagmast on the southwest corner of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Second-floor windows on the south facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Second-floor windows on the south facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Fourth and fifth-floor windows on the west facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Fourth and fifth-floor windows on the west facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    First-floor canopy on the west facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    First-floor canopy on the west facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    First-floor and second-floor windows on S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    First-floor and second-floor windows on S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Southwest corner of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Southwest corner of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Sun shades on the first floor of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Sun shades on the first floor of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Third-floor window on S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Third-floor window on S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Cornice over the southeast entrance of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Cornice over the southeast entrance of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Rail and awning on the south facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Rail and awning on the south facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Birmingham, Alabama
    Illustration of S.H. Kress & Co. (1937). Birmingham, Alabama.
    Illustration of S.H. Kress & Co. (1937). Birmingham, Alabama.3

    References

    1. “Kress’ Store Is Ready To Open”. The Birmingham Post (Birmingham, Alabama), September 10, 1937, p. 5. ↩︎
    2. “Thousands Visit Kress Building”. The Birmingham Age-Herald (Birmingham, Alabama), September 14, 1937, p. 4. ↩︎
    3. Illustration credit: Advertisement. The Birmingham Post (Birmingham, Alabama), September 11, 1937, p. 3. ↩︎

  • Relic Signs: Philip’s Restaurant (1940) – Philadelphia

    Philip's Restaurant (1940). 1145 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia.
    Philip’s Restaurant (1940). 1145 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia.

    This swanky old sign is a true relic of South Philly, which is changing as rapidly as any other neighborhood these days.

    Owned and operated by the Muzi family, Philip’s Restaurant was licensed for business at this location in 1940,1 although later advertisements claimed it opened in 1938.2

    The blue portion of the sign likely dates to 1940, but I suspect the “Cocktail Lounge” segment was added later.

    Originally built as a residence, the 3-story brownstone structure that housed the restaurant previously served as the Circolo Italiano clubhouse for at least 20 years.3 4

    Philip’s touted itself as “Serving the finest in Italian cuisine”, and the interior photograph shown below is from a postcard published circa 1960, based on a note from the back that adds the restaurant had been in “The same location for 20 years.”

    Interior of Philips Restaurant, circa 1960. Photograph by Bill Bennett from an undated postcard published by Bill Bennett of Philadelphia and Pennsburg, Pennsylvania.
    Interior of Philips Restaurant, circa 1960. Photograph by Bill Bennett from an undated postcard published by Bill Bennett of Philadelphia and Pennsburg, Pennsylvania.

    Philip’s closed in 2001, and the building has apparently been unoccupied since 2018.5 The sign remains untouched.

    References

    1. “Latest Reports Of Legal Actions”. The Philadelphia Inquirer, October 23, 1940, p. 39. ↩︎
    2. Advertisement. The Philadelphia Inquirer Magazine, October 27, 1968, p. 44. ↩︎
    3. “Sale on South Broad Street”. The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 12, 1916, p. 7. ↩︎
    4. “Circolo Italiano Meets”. The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 1, 1936, p. 32. ↩︎
    5. Hidden City Philadelphia › Mysteries Revealed as Old Philip’s Restaurant Eyed for Redevelopment ↩︎

  • Kress (1936) – Atlanta

    Edward F. Sibbert. S.H. Kress & Co. (1936). Downtown, Atlanta.
    Edward F. Sibbert. S.H. Kress & Co. (1936). Downtown, Atlanta.1 2 3 4
    Fourth and fifth-floor windows on the facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Atlanta
    Fourth and fifth-floor windows on the facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Atlanta
    Looking at S.H. Kress & Co. from the southeast
    Looking at S.H. Kress & Co. from the southeast
    First-floor canopy on the facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Atlanta
    First-floor canopy on the facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Atlanta
    llustration of S.H. Kress & Co. (1936), Atlanta
    Illustration of S.H. Kress & Co. (1936), Atlanta5

    References

    1. Application For Building Permit, March 18, 1936. ↩︎
    2. “Open House Planned For New Kress Store”. The Atlanta Constitution, November 8, 1936, p. 6. ↩︎
    3. “New S.H. Kress Store On Whitehall Street Will Open on Monday”. The Atlanta Journal, November 8, 1936, p. 12. ↩︎
    4. “Work Starts Soon On New Structure”. The Atlanta Constitution, January 15, 1936, p. 14. ↩︎
    5. Illustration credit: Advertisement. The Atlanta Journal, November 8, 1936, p. 13. ↩︎

  • Kress (1935) – Anniston, Alabama

    Edward F. Sibbert. S.H. Kress & Co. (1935). Anniston, Alabama.
    Edward F. Sibbert. S.H. Kress & Co. (1935). Anniston, Alabama.1 2 3
    Windows and sign on the facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Anniston, Alabama.
    Windows and sign on the facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Anniston, Alabama.
    Second-floor window on S.H. Kress & Co., Anniston, Alabama
    Second-floor window on S.H. Kress & Co., Anniston, Alabama
    Ornamentation on S.H. Kress & Co., Anniston, Alabama
    Ornamentation on S.H. Kress & Co., Anniston, Alabama
    Ornamentation on S.H. Kress & Co., Anniston, Alabama
    Ornamentation on S.H. Kress & Co., Anniston, Alabama
    Looking at S.H. Kress & Co. from the southeast, Anniston, Alabama
    Looking at S.H. Kress & Co. from the southeast, Anniston, Alabama
    Ornamentation on S.H. Kress & Co., Anniston, Alabama
    Ornamentation on S.H. Kress & Co., Anniston, Alabama
    Entrance light at S.H. Kress & Co., Anniston, Alabama
    Entrance light at S.H. Kress & Co., Anniston, Alabama
    Ornamentation on S.H. Kress & Co., Anniston, Alabama
    Ornamentation on S.H. Kress & Co., Anniston, Alabama

    References

    1. “Kress Trades For Big Store Place In City”. The Anniston Star (Anniston, Alabama), November 1, 1934, p. 1. ↩︎
    2. “Kress Starts New Building; Cost $100,000”. The Anniston Star (Anniston, Alabama), June 18, 1935, p. 1. ↩︎
    3. “Kress Getting Ready For Informal Opening Thursday”. The Anniston Star (Anniston, Alabama), November 20, 1935, p. 6. ↩︎

  • Kress (1931) – Charleston, South Carolina

    Edward F. Sibbert.S.H. Kress & Co. (1931). Charleston, South Carolina.
    Edward F. Sibbert.S.H. Kress & Co. (1931). Charleston, South Carolina.1 2
    Third-floor windows on the facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Charleston, South Carolina
    Third-floor windows on the facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Charleston, South Carolina
    Third-floor window on the southeast corner of S.H. Kress & Co., Charleston, South Carolina
    Third-floor window on the southeast corner of S.H. Kress & Co., Charleston, South Carolina

    References

    1. Kress Building, 281 King Street | Discovering Our Past: College of Charleston Histories ↩︎
    2. A Guidebook to South Carolina Historical Markers. Columbia, South Carolina: University of South Carolina Press (2021). ↩︎

  • Kress (1930) – Durham, North Carolina

    Edward F. Sibbert. S.H. Kress & Co. (1933). Durham, North Carolina.
    Edward F. Sibbert. S.H. Kress & Co. (1933). Durham, North Carolina.1 2
    Looking up at the north facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Durham, North Carolina
    Looking up at the north facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Durham, North Carolina
    Sign above first-floor window on the northeast corner of S.H. Kress & Co., Durham, North Carolina
    Sign above first-floor window on the northeast corner of S.H. Kress & Co., Durham, North Carolina
    Fourth-floor window on the east facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Durham, North Carolina
    Fourth-floor window on the east facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Durham, North Carolina
    Fourth-floor window on the east facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Durham, North Carolina
    Decorated spandrel on the east facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Durham, North Carolina
    Pilaster on the east facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Durham, North Carolina
    Pilaster on the east facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Durham, North Carolina
    Decorated spandrel on the east facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Durham, North Carolina
    Decorated spandrel on the east facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Durham, North Carolina
    First-floor ornamentation on the east facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Durham, North Carolina
    First-floor ornamentation on the east facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Durham, North Carolina

    References

    1. “Kress Will Open Handsome New Building Today”. Durham Morning Herald (Durham, North Carolina), July 11, 1930, Section II, p. 1. ↩︎
    2. “Hundreds Attend Opening Of New S.H. Kress Store”. The Durham Sun (Durham, North Carolina), July 11, 1930, p. 10-A. ↩︎

  • Kress (1930) – Greensboro, North Carolina

    Edward F. Sibbert. S.H. Kress & Co. (1930). Greensboro, North Carolina.
    Edward F. Sibbert. S.H. Kress & Co. (1930). Greensboro, North Carolina.1 2
    Sign and fourth-floor windows on the facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Greensboro, North Carolina
    Sign and fourth-floor windows on the facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Greensboro, North Carolina
    Ornamentation on the facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Greensboro, North Carolina
    Ornamentation on the facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Greensboro, North Carolina
    Decorated spandrels between the second and third-floor windows on the facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Greensboro, North Carolina
    Decorated spandrels between the second and third-floor windows on the facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Greensboro, North Carolina
    Looking up at S.H. Kress & Co., Greensboro, North Carolina
    Looking up at S.H. Kress & Co., Greensboro, North Carolina
    Ornamentation on the facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Greensboro, North Carolina
    Ornamentation on the facade of S.H. Kress & Co., Greensboro, North Carolina
    Canopy and sign on the ground floor of S.H. Kress & Co., Greensboro, North Carolina
    Canopy and sign on the ground floor of S.H. Kress & Co., Greensboro, North Carolina

    References

    1. “Two Large Building Projects Involve $559,837”. Greensboro Daily News (Greensboro, North Carolina), November 5, 1929, p. 15. ↩︎
    2. “Ready For Business”. Greensboro Daily Record (Greensboro, North Carolina), May 1, 1930, p. 16. ↩︎

  • Postcards from the South: Windsor Hotel – Americus, Georgia

    Postcard view of Windsor Hotel (1892), Americus, Georgia

    This postcard depicts the Windsor Hotel in Americus, Georgia, designed by G.L. Norrman and completed in 1892.

    Published by Holliday’s Book Store in Americus, the card was postmarked in Americus on February 12, 1912, and addressed to Mademoiselle [Myte Schmitz?] of 26 rue de la [something] in [Don’t know] France. Ooh la la.

    Barrien wrote on the back:

    “La Palace hotel de cetta [?]. C’est ici que j’ai éler domicile.”

    Roughly translated and filling in the blank, we get:

    “The Palace hotel of this [shithole town]. This is where I have taken up residence.”

    Let’s hope he got out of there—Americus isn’t kind to outsiders.