John McArthur Jr., FAIA
While much of John McArthur’s visible legacy has been demolished, his most ambitious and enduring monument remains — Philadelphia City Hall. Designed to be world’s tallest building, his architectural masterpiece was only narrowly eclipsed during construction by the Washington Monument and the Eiffel Tower. It did however earn several major distinctions, including being the world’s tallest habitable building.
Today, the engineering colossus has successfully defending its the title for being the tallest all-masonry occupied structure. In 2007, the Philadelphia native’s work took the twenty-first spot on the on the AIA150, a Harris public poll commissioned to identify America’s favorite buildings.
From sacred spaces and banks to hospitals a noteworthy public library, John McArthur’s useful and storied career is study in excellence.
Read McArthur’s Wikipedia entry here.