Purcell & Elmslie

The American progressive architectural practice most widely known as Purcell & Elmslie (P&E) was the second most commissioned firm of the Prairie School after Frank Lloyd Wright. The firm had offices in Chicago, Philadelphia, and Minneapolis.[1]

The firms consisted of three partnerships: Purcell and Feick (190710); Purcell, Feick, and Elmslie (191012), and Purcell and Elmslie (191321). The architects were commissioned for work in twenty-two states, participated in the competition for the National Parliament Buildings in Canberra, Australia, and prepared plans for a large institutional church, or Y.M.C.A., in Hunan, China.

Two principals of the firm, William Gray Purcell (18801965) and George Grant Elmslie (18691952) both eventually received Fellowships in the College of the American Institute of Architects.[1]

The original partner with Purcell was George Feick, Jr. who was son of George Feick, an Ohio contractor. Purcell and Feick had been students together at Cornell University. They rejoined to tour in Europe together during 1906-1907 and then came to Minneapolis to open their partnership.

A number of works by each of the partnerships are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[2]

Notable commissions

Works include (with attribution):[2]

works by Purcell & Feick
works by Purcell, Feick & Elmslie
works by Purcell & Elmslie

Photo Gallery

References

Further reading

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Purcell & Elmslie.