The work of Willis G. Hale, the mind behind the much-adored Divine Lorraine and the frankly fussy Hale Building, is enjoying a renaissance as of late. The Victorian architect’s penchant for brazen facades can be traced back to a warehouse on the Delaware River, demolished in the 1960s to make way for I-95. The Shadow has the backstory

At 1421 West Girard Avenue, an ornate and handsome three-story home stands amongst ornate and handsome brethren on both the local and national Registers of Historic Places—despite origins unknown. And yet, The Shadow Knows it’s got all the hallmarks of his favorite architect, Willis G. Hale

The mastermind behind the Divine Lorraine Willis J. Hale left his mark on wildly inventive and ornate housing developments throughout the city. Christopher Mote has the story of one set of houses on an epic block in transition in North Philly

The Shadow Knows more than you ever thought possible on one of the last two remaining buildings near Rittenhouse Square by architect of extravagance Willis G. Hale–this one threatened by damaging alterations and lack of legal protection

The building had been open to trespassers for many months. A small fire in late March prompted the City of Philadelphia to act

The top floors of the exuberantly ornate Hale Building have been abandoned and inaccessible for decades, and we’ve been wondering what’s up there for at least that long. Now, at long last, we have the answer

A look at the past–and possible future–of the Hale Building, often called Philadelphia’s most bizarre skyscraper