Robert N. C. Nix, Sr., Federal Building

United States Court House and Post Office Building
Chestnut Street facade (2013)
Location between Chestnut, 9th and Market Streets
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Coordinates: 39°57′3″N 75°13′33″W / 39.95083°N 75.22583°W
Area 2.1 acres (0.85 ha)
Built 1937
Architectural style Moderne
Governing body Federal
NRHP Reference # 90001540[1]
Added to NRHP October 19, 1990

The Robert N. C. Nix, Sr., Federal Building and United States Post Office,[2] formerly known as the United States Court House and Post Office Building, is a historic building in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania built in 1937–1941. It was designed by Harry Sternfeld in the Moderne style and features several sculptures and reliefs by Donald De Lue and Edmond Amateis. It was renamed in honor of longtime Philadelphia congressman Robert N.C. Nix, Sr. sometime before 1989, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.[3]

Architecture

Mail Delivery – West, a relief by Edmond Amateis, by the Ninth Street entrance nearest Market St.

The building is near the center of Center City Philadelphia on a 2 acres lot bounded by Market Street to the north, Ninth Street to the east, and Chestnut Street to the south, and an alley to the west. Its seven stories have a height of about 115 feet above grade and include a basement, a mezzanine between the first and second floors, and two penthouses. It measures 170 feet (52 m) along Chestnut and Market Streets by 470 feet (140 m) along Ninth Street. A light court provides access to outside air and light from the third to the sixth floor. The steel structure is encased in concrete and the foundation and basement walls are reinforced concrete. Interior walls are concrete, clay tile, or brick.[4]

The base of the building is faced with Milford pink granite with Indiana limestone covering most of the facades facing the street. Buff-colored brick covers the facades of the interior light court. Central air-conditioning was a feature of the original construction, but records indicate that more than 270 window units were installed over time, and then removed during a 1989 restoration. Handicapped access was installed at the eastern entrance on Market Street, but otherwise the exterior appears as it was originally design.[4]

The first floor is occupied by a post office, while courtrooms and a law library occupy the second floor. Upper floors contain offices, open plan office space, meeting rooms and similar spaces.[4]

See also

References

Notes

  1. ↑ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2010-07-09.
  2. ↑ PUBLIC LAW 99-214—DEC. 26, 1985
  3. ↑ Diana E. Newbury, 1989, NRHP Nomination Form for US Court House and Post Office Building Enter "public" for ID and "public" for password to access the site.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 U.S. General Services Administration, Robert N. C. Nix, Sr. Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, Philadelphia, PA, accessed 2011-01-03.

External links