Archive | Public Buildings
Old Primary School

Abandoned Primary School in Philadelphia / PA

This was totally „Old School“ I have to say, haha. As far as I could find out, the institution closed sometime in the late 1980s, which is admittedly already a good 20 years ago. Accordingly, the vandalization has reached quite extensive dimensions, unfortunately. However, the rooftop basketball court exhibits still a very cool and adequate […]

1 Comment Continue Reading →
Eastern State Penitentiary

Eastern State Penitentiary Philadelphia / PA

In 1787, a group of well-known and powerful Philadelphians convened in the home of Benjamin Franklin. The members of The Philadelphia Society for Alleviating the Miseries of Public Prisons expressed growing concern with the conditions in American and European prisons. Dr. Benjamin Rush spoke on the Society’s goal, to see the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania set […]

Leave a comment Continue Reading →
Detention cell

Former Police Headquarters in Wiesbaden / Germany

Around 1900, the houses at 2-6 Market Street were put down in order to erect the building for the Royal Police Directorate between Friedrich Street and Mauer Street. The result was a four storey two-winged building with a corner tower. An annex for the prison and the necessary horse stables were built in the courtyard. […]

1 Comment Continue Reading →
Essex County Jail Annex

Essex County Jail Annex / NJ

Originally constructed in 1862 to hold Confederate prisoners of war, the Essex County Jail Annex functioned as a state penitentiary for many years before eventually being replaced by a new facility to alleviate overcrowding. The penitentiary was largely self-sufficient. As late as the 1970’s inmates still tended to apple and peach orchards on the grounds, […]

Leave a comment Continue Reading →
Offspring of Hope

Police Detention in Frankfurt / Germany

This is actually one of my first Urban Exploring „harvests“. In 2007, The German Museum for Architecture used the old building as temporary home during some renovation work at the actual museum. During this short intermezzo the site was partially open to the public. The Detention was built in 1886 and throughout its history it […]

Leave a comment Continue Reading →
Kings Theater

Kings Theatre / NY

The Kings Theatre, formerly Loew’s Kings Theatre, is a movie palace-type theater located in Brooklyn, New York City. Opened in 1929 and closed since 1977, the theater is scheduled to reopen in 2014 following a complete renovation. It was built and operated by the Loew’s Theatres chain, and was one of the five „Loew’s Wonder […]

Leave a comment Continue Reading →
IMG_2679 front

Kurhaus / Germany

This Spa Hotel in the Western part of Germany was built in 1914 and eventually abandonded in the mid of the 90’s. Unfortunately, there has been a lot of vandalism. Here is the link to the Slideshow

Leave a comment Continue Reading →