CENTER CITY SIGHTS
Capitol Complex
6. HEALTH AND WELFARE BUILDING - Commonwealth Ave. and Forster Streets - southeast corner.
Erected in the early 1950’s as one of the first expansion buildings beyond the original Capitol Complex. Headquarters to the Commonwealth’s coordination and enforcement of health care and human service operations statewide.
7. COMMONWEALTH KEYSTONE STATE OFFICE BUILDING- North Street at Commonwealth Ave. - northwest corner.
Completed in 2000 as the newest addition to the Capitol Complex. Massive 845,000 square foot edifice features vast 10 story glass and granite-clad interior atrium. Classic design blends with the original Capitol Complex.
8. LABOR AND INDUSTRY BUILDING - N. Seventh and Forster Streets.
Headquarters to all statewide operations serving the labor and industrial needs of the Commonwealth. Sleek early 1950’s high-rise features landmark glass stair towers and marble spandrel panels.
9. MATTHEW RYAN LEGISLATIVE OFFICE BUILDING - Southwardly adjacent to the State Capitol Building.
Erected in 1893 as the original State Library and Museum and the oldest building in the Capitol Complex. Beaux Arts in architectural style and thoroughly restored in 1998 for additional legislative offices. Features grand entrance stair and scagliola finishes. Named for longest serving Speaker of the State House of Representatives.
10. NORTH OFFICE BUILDING - North Street at Commonwealth Ave. - southwest corner.
Mate to the South Office building in design and placement and completed in 1928. Elaborate entranceways and foyers adorned with sconces and medallions. Home to the Pennsylvania Department of State.
11. NORTHWEST STATE OFFICE BUILDING - Forster and Capitol Streets.
Headquarters to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. Grand entrance at Capitol Street with statues of eagles designed to face an expanded Capitol Complex, which never came to pass. Neighborhood conservation shifted state government expansion to the Central Business District.
12. SOLDIERS GROVE - Between Commonwealth Ave. and Fisher Plaza.
Formal tree-lined mall, all of Red Oak, linking the vista of the Main Capitol Building to Fisher Plaza and the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Bridge beyond. Defines the symmetry of the original Capitol Complex. Inspiring setting site of numerous events and activities.
13. SOLDIERS AND SAILOR’S MEMORIAL BRIDGE* - N. 7th and State Streets.
Completed in 1930 as the principal entrance to Center City and the State Capitol Complex from the east, terminating at Fisher Plaza. Honors soldiers and sailors of all American Wars. Towering pylons at western end dramatizes bridge’s gateway importance. Adorned with various inscriptions and crafted scenes in relief.
14. SOUTH OFFICE BUILDING - Southside of State Capitol Building, East Wing.
First separate building to be erected in the original Capitol Complex of the 20th Century which would ultimately evolve into a grand neoclassical and symmetrically organized collection of stately buildings. Completed in 1921.
15. STATE MUSEUM OF PENNSYLVANIA AND THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE ARCHIVES - N. Third and North Streets.
Completed in 1964 as the Commonwealth’s official and principal depository of records, artifacts and wide variety of treasures illustrating Pennsylvania’s rich heritage. Architecturally inspired by the Trylon and Perisphere icons of the 1939 New York Worlds Fair.
* Individually Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
