Griest, W.W., Building
Also known as: Lancaster Federal Building; PP and L Building
Why it's listed
Fourteen stories tall and built of steel frame with Indiana limestone cladding, the Griest Building rises at the northwest corner of Penn Square in Lancaster. Construction took place in 1924 and 1925, with demolition of the earlier Hirsh Building starting in April 1924 and the building dedicated on September 22, 1925. Architect C. Emlen Urban designed it in the Italian Renaissance Revival style, using two-story Corinthian pilasters, arched ground-floor windows, and sculpted panels. The building is regarded as Lancaster's only skyscraper and its most visually prominent landmark. It is important for its exterior design, which is considered the culmination of Urban's career. Its classical details and craftsmanship are seen as unmatched in the city. Its construction marked the city's commercial growth during the 1920s. The building was built for the Conestoga Traction Company, the Edison Electric Company, and the Lancaster Gas Light and Fuel Company, and was named for utility head William Walton Griest.
Significance in brief: The building is regarded as Lancaster's preeminent building and is linked to the city's modernization during the early twentieth century. The nomination argues its preserved exterior, sculpted classical details and Italian Renaissance Revival design make it architect C. Emlen Urban's most mature work. It is presented as the culmination of his career in applying historical styles to modern building types.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 99000755, listed June 25, 1999. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 8 N. Queen St., Lancaster |
|---|---|
| County | Lancaster County |
| Listed | June 25, 1999 |
| Reference number | 99000755 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1924-1925 |
| Architect / builder | C. Emlen Urban (architect) |
| Architectural style | Italian Renaissance Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The exterior is described as in excellent condition and the interior as significantly altered; a 1976 rooftop tower is the most significant exterior alteration. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Lancaster City Historic District |
| Coordinates | 40.03825, -76.30636 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 99000755.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7946040
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.