Join APT DVC & DOCOMOMO for a tour of the Love Park UFO. Built at the base of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in 1961 by the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, the building actually predated the surrounding Love Park by five years. Informally known as the "flying saucer", it was designed by architect Roy Larson of Harbeson, Hough, Livingston & Larson as a futuristic celebration of postwar Philadelphia optimism, attracting visitors to the heart of Penn Center, one of America’s most ambitious experiments in urban renewal. The building survives today as one of the best and most intact examples of flamboyant midcentury modern architecture in Center City Philadelphia and has been determined eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. As part of the multi-million dollar reconstruction of LOVE Park, the iconic and historic Welcome Center building is being completely renovated, including all new exterior glass, roof, interior finishes, lighting, security and mechanical systems. The renovated building will house a new restaurant and provide interior seating for 50-55 patrons, with additional outdoor seating for up to 135 people on the balcony and in an adjoining park level terrace. Kieran Timberlake, the architect for the project, will have representatives discussing the technical scope of the project. Local architectural historians will discuss the history and significance of one of Philadelphia’s most iconic post-war modernist structures.
The tour costs $20 and due to space limitations is capped to 20 participants. Please register for this tour using the below registration link. The tour is eligible for 1 AIA LU.
Registration:
After the tour, join us at Happy Hour at Oscar’s Tavern.