There seems to be a leeeetle bit of disagreement about the merits of the abandoned building at 1021 Chestnut St., aka the old Mercantile Library. The idea of rehabbing it set the profane Philaphilia moderator's teeth on edge. Last year, he put the building in historical context, making a lengthy case for its destruction. But what was once an acclaimed mid-century modern triumph has been acquired by Michael Ryan Architects, who this week explain their devotion in an interview with Ben Leech, the advocacy director for the Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia. [Hidden City via Philaphilia]
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