Real Estate Blog - "Ironing" out the wrinkles of architecture

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"Ironing" out the wrinkles of architecture

Have you ever wondered where the "Flatiron" style of architecture came from?

I never really thought about it, until I read this article in the Lancaster Newspapers. According to the article, the Flatiron styled buildings are named after antique household "irons".

Yes, the bane of every housewife in the world -- whether in by-gone eras or in today's modern Rowenta world -- was the influence for this triangular style of architecture. If you click on the link to the article, you can see some excellent photos of examples.

There are a number of "flatiron" buildings in Historic Lancaster City - many of them historic warehouses as well as a few apartment buildings. I always thought they were just "triangular" shaped buildings.

Who knew?

Which makes me wonder:

Will they ever come out with a "Permanent Press" architectural style?

Wash and Wear?

I guess those with rates that are adjusting are "hanging out to dry". (bad pun ~ I admit ~ but couldn't help myself!)

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Posted by Jeannie Kontis, Lancaster PA Real Estate & Lancaster County Homes for Sale on 11/14/2008 06:46 PM

Comments (6)

Historic Architecture in the Regional (Localism) Channel

flatiron architecture, the origin of home styles, historic homes in lancaster

Originally posted at: Lancaster PA Real Estate Blog: "Ironing" out the wrinkles of architecture

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6 Comments on "Ironing" out the wrinkles of architecture

NOV

2008

Jeannie, I am always facinated by that building in NYC---and never had an idea WHY it was built that way. Thank you for the explanation, I thought this was very interesting.

Carole ~ I'm glad you enjoyed learning about it! I started a series recently about the origin of different styles of buildings, and I think I'll have to add this one to it.

I'll be on a mission to find more buildings like these as I drive around town!

NOV

2008

Thanks for sharing this. There are a couple of buildings like that in a city near us, and they are so interesting.

NOV

2008

Hi Jeannie,

I remember the flatiron building in NYC from when I was a kid. At that time, I never thought about where the name came from. I only figured it out years later when I started collecting antiques.

I always thought that shoe warehouse building on Park Avenue in Lancaster was an interesting piece of architecture.

NOV

2008

I had found out about that from the tour guide in New York City when we got to the Flatiron Building. I like tour guides because they always tell you interesting things. Since you have been a very bad tour guide here by not telling me what the "modern Rowenta world" is, I guess I'll have to visit GoodSearch -- LOL.

Russel, I am a bad tourguide! Sorry about that!

Well, this is a "flat iron" of byegone days:

(Creative Commons license photo by 1vintage1 on flickr)

and this is the Rowenta of the modern world:

(Creative Commons photo by paul posadas on flickr)

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