The North American Building is a historic high-rise building at 121 South Broad Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...

. Designed by Philadelphia architect James H. Windrim

James H. Windrim

James Hamilton Windrim was a Philadelphia architect who specialized in public buildings.-Biography:Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he apprenticed under John Notman, and opened his own office in 1867...

 (1840–1919), it was built in 1900 as the headquarters of the Philadelphia newspaper The North American (founded 1839). The building was commissioned by Thomas B. Wanamaker, the newspaper's publisher and son of John Wanamaker

John Wanamaker

John Wanamaker was a United States merchant, religious leader, civic and political figure, considered by some to be the father of modern advertising and a "pioneer in marketing." Wanamaker was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.-Biography:He was born on July 11, 1838.He opened his first store in...

, the department store founder. At 267 feet (81.4 m) tall and 21 stories, it was then the tallest building in the city, a distinction it held only until surpassed by Philadelphia City Hall

Philadelphia City Hall

Philadelphia City Hall is the house of government for the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At , including the statue, it is the world's second-tallest masonry building, only shorter than Mole Antonelliana in Turin...

the following year.

External links

• "A Brief History of the Illuminated Buildings Along the Avenue of the Arts", by Fatima Adamu, Project Coordinator, Center City District.
• Listing at emporis.com
• Listing and photographs at Philadelphia Architects and Buildings
• Listing at skyscraperpage.com