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Pittsburgh Architecture Gallery- Pittsburgh, PA
Pittsburgh’s architecture is absolutely amazing. So many different styles, so many reuse projects, so many bridges. A manufacturing and industrial powerhouse in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the city benefited from the vast fortunes made by industrialists such as Andrew Carnegie and Henry Clay Frick. Built organically, the city is a tapestry of time, with beautiful Gothic Revival and Beaux Arts buildings mixed with the more modern skyscrapers that define the Pittsburgh Skyline. Although not what it once was, the city has risen from the ashes and reinvented itself- today it’s a fun, photogenic city, with a unique spirit and excellent tacos.
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Squire’s Castle- Willoughby Hills, OH
From a distance, Squire’s Castle looks straight out of a Fairy Tale. As you get closer, the reality is a bit darker, a bit more Blair Witch. While still undeniably beautiful, it’s clear the building is long abandoned- a sad stone shell, open to the elements. What remains is a haunting glimpse of the past, a melancholy reminder of a grand Gilded Age estate that never materialized. In 1890, Feargus B. Squire, vice president of Standard Oil, purchased 525 acres in Chagrin Valley, Ohio for the purpose of constructing a grand English style estate. He immediately started to improve the area, building roads and bridges, followed in 1895 by a…
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Glamorgan Castle- Alliance, OH
Although somewhat unexpected, Ohio is home to some absolutely fabulous Gilded Age estates. Built with the mad money made from industrial advances, you can find virtually every architectural style represented in the Buckeye State. Considering, it should come as no surprise there is a legitimate castle in Alliance, Ohio.
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St. Augustine Architecture Gallery
For years I heard talk about the legendary beauty of St. Augustine, Florida. Established by the Spanish in 1565, then later inhabited by filthy rich oil tycoons, rumor held it was a historic town filled with fabulous architecture. I admit I was never quite convinced, certain its charm was exaggerated. It was not. It is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful cities in the United States. From the 17th century Castillo de San Marcos, to the grand hotels designed by Carrère and Hastings, it is an absolute architectural dream.
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Hillwood Estate Gardens- Washington, DC
The gardens at Hillwood are so fabulous, they deserve their own entry. Beautifully designed and maintained, they are a spectacular verdant escape, worlds away from the surrounding city chaos. A collection of distinct outdoor rooms, it is an absolute dream to wander the grounds. The original garden at Hillwood was designed by renowned landscape architect Willard Gebhart in 1926. He created vistas with broad sweeping views and formal gardens surrounding the neo-Georgian mansion. In 1955, the property was purchased by Marjorie Merriweather Post, who hired landscape architects Umberto Innocenti and Richard Webel to expand and customize the garden to reflect her interests. Across the property, several outdoor rooms were added,…
