Drake Hotel (Philadelphia) facts for kids
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Drake Hotel
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 Location in Philadelphia
Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1512-1514 Spruce St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
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| Built | 1928 |
| Built by | Murphy, Quigley |
| Architect | Ritter & Shay |
| Architectural style | Art Deco, Spanish Baroque |
| NRHP reference No. | 78002446 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | September 18, 1978 |
The Drake Hotel is a historic and very tall building in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It stands 375 feet high and has 33 stories. Located at 1512–1514 Spruce Street, it was built in 1928–29. Originally, it was a luxurious hotel.
The building was designed by the architectural firm Ritter and Shay. They used a mix of Art Deco style and Spanish Baroque architecture for its look. You can see decorations like dolphins, shells, sailing ships, and globes. These designs are inspired by Sir Francis Drake, a famous explorer. The top of the building has a beautiful terra cotta dome.
In 1977, the Drake Hotel was added to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places. A year later, in 1978, it was also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1998, the building was updated and turned into apartments called "The Drake."
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Building History and Design
The Drake Hotel was built almost 100 years ago, starting in 1928. The Murphy, Quigley Company constructed this impressive building. It quickly became known as a very fancy place to stay in Philadelphia.
Art Deco Style Explained
The Drake Hotel shows off the Art Deco style, which was popular in the 1920s and 1930s. This style uses bold geometric shapes, rich colors, and detailed decorations. It often looks sleek and modern, even though it's from the past. Think of tall, grand buildings with lots of patterns.
Spanish Baroque Influences
Besides Art Deco, the Drake Hotel also has parts that look like Spanish Baroque architecture. This style is known for being very decorative and dramatic. It often includes detailed carvings and rich textures. On the Drake Hotel, you can see this in the terra cotta decorations. Terra cotta is a type of baked clay used for building and art.
Sir Francis Drake's Themes
The building's decorations feature themes related to Sir Francis Drake. He was an English explorer and sea captain from the 1500s. The dolphins, shells, sailing vessels, and globes on the building remind us of his voyages around the world.
Historic Recognition
The Drake Hotel is important because it is recognized as a historic place.
Philadelphia Register of Historic Places
On October 6, 1977, the Drake Hotel was added to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places. This means the city of Philadelphia officially recognized it as a building with special historical or architectural value. This helps protect it for the future.
National Register of Historic Places
Less than a year later, on September 18, 1978, the building was also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list kept by the United States government. Being on this list means the building is important to the history of the nation. It helps preserve places that tell a story about America's past.
Modern Use: The Drake Condominiums
In 1998, the Drake Hotel went through a big change. It was renovated and converted into condominiums. Condominiums are individual apartments within a larger building. Each apartment is owned by a different person, but they share common areas like hallways and lobbies. This way, a historic building can continue to be used and lived in today.
See also
In Spanish: Drake Hotel para niños
