I actually like many of the new "post-Billy-Penn's-hat" buildings -- the
emerging central business district between Broad and 30th Sts. I love
the Cira Centre.
And I am besotted with antique rowhouse Philadelphia, especially in its
older Center City nooks. I give out-of-town visitors a tour of this
charming cityscape and it never fails to knock their socks off. 99% of
North Americans have no idea such liveable 200-year-old neighborhoods
are to be found here! Philadelphia's genius lies in the small, the
intimate -- the vista instead of the panorama.
As for all this newer Penn stuff -- Penn is obviously world-class and
cutting-edge in all sorts of disciplines. But if a school is judged by
its works, and buildings are the works of architecture, then, supposing
I had a favorite niece who was interested in becoming an architect ...
if all she wanted was to make a pot of money, I'd say, "Sure, come
here." But if she had any urge toward beauty, I'd gently steer her
elsewhere.
For sure, though, Wilma, how much better if we had invested our
retirement money in UPenn shares instead of that dreck on the NYSE?
-- Tony West
Wilma de Soto wrote:
Well, I think Philadelphia has some beautiful architectural elements.
Apparently the AIA members think so as well as they commented when they
convened here a couple of years ago.
As for the expanding economy, we'll have to wait a bit on that. I'm already
down some 21,000 in my portfolio and the current quarter does not bode well.
Also, that "Radon" Building on Walnut St. is a monstrosity!
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