Enjoy a break from the colonial craziness of Independence Mall with a super-creamy draft latte from Philly’s own La Colombe Coffee Roasters – while admiring the modernist, plexiglas chandeliers in the Dow Chemical company building across the street at 6th & Market.
Built in 1964 as the headquarters of Rohm & Hass, the building (listed on the National Register of Historic Places) is considered an outstanding example of the International style. Part of the architects’ mission was to include plexiglas in the design, as it was one of the company’s most successful products (“accidentally” invented 1933, while trying to make a shatter resistant glass). In addition to the 16 x 16 chandeliers, which each contain about 2,000 plastic rods, the building is covered with translucent, corrugated sunscreens made of plexiglas.
Tobey says: The coffee is really yummy and the lights are pretty cool.
Location: Old City
Secrets of Philadelphia 