Parkway Central Library had been planned for its current location since 1911; various obstacles, including World War I, held up progress.
Construction started in 1917 and was completed in 1927.
The grand Beaux-Arts building was designed by Julian Abele, chief designer in the office of prominent Philadelphia architect Horace Trumbauer.
Its design, that of the adjacent Philadelphia Family Court building, and their placement on Logan Circle closely follow that of the Hôtel de Crillon and the Hôtel de la Marine on Paris's Place de la Concorde.
In addition to being the main library, the building serves as the system's administrative building.
The library opened on June 2, 1927 at its present location on 1901 Vine Street.
Parkway Central Library had been planned for its current location since 1911; various obstacles, including World War I, held up progress. Construction started in 1917 and was completed in 1927. The grand Beaux-Arts building was designed by Julian Abele, chief designer in the office of prominent Philadelphia architect Horace Trumbauer. Its design, that of the adjacent Philadelphia Family Court building, and their placement on Logan Circle closely follow that of the Hôtel de Crillon and the Hôtel de la Marine on Paris's Place de la Concorde. In addition to being the main library, the building serves as the system's administrative building. The library opened on June 2, 1927 at its present location on 1901 Vine Street.
Parkway Central Library