Architecture in the United States is much richer and more varied than we can think in a country with a short history. Throughout its more than two centuries, it has been able to create new architectural typologies, innovate with diverse materials, and adapt styles brought from Europe. In this short tour, I will show you 10 unique buildings (some are more a set than a building itself) to admire.

1. Capitol in Washington (1800)

The symbol building of Washington is also one of the oldest buildings in the country. It was designed around 1783 and was built in 1800 to accommodate the House of Representatives and the North American Senate.

George Washington himself laid the first stone during a Masonic ceremony and its construction was quite slow due to budgetary problems and shortage of manpower. By desire of the town, a gallery of visitors was included and had to be reduced the initial project to a single wing (the south wing was added under the government of Jefferson). The entire Capitol is a compendium of a look at the Roman past to legitimize the future of the United States.

Undoubtedly a neoclassical building that is singular and symbolic like few others, since it represents an entire country architecturally.

2. French Quarter of New Orleans (late eighteenth and early nineteenth century)

The area called French Quarter or Vieux Carré is the origin of the city of New Orleans. The city grew around this unique architecture. Nowadays it belongs to the National Historic Landmark. Of Spanish origin (New Orleans was purchased along with the state of Louisiana to the Spanish government), much of it was destroyed in a large fire in 1794 and it was rebuilt keeping part of the Spanish style with touches of modernity. It was damaged during the floods caused by Katrina (not as much as other areas of the city) and little by little it has been recovering in these years its former decadent splendor.

Forge galleries, stuccoes, low buildings, and a subtle and graceful elegance characterize this neighborhood that stands out in a country where we are accustomed to high skyscrapers. The American way of the “European” touch.

3. Quincy Market in Boston (1826)

In the center of the city of Boston, there are a series of buildings that remind us of its historical past. Among all of them stands out the beautiful Quincy Market, which rises surrounded by much taller architectural masses. It was built with the idea of ​​providing some uniformity to the area’s trade and was designed by Alexander Parris with a facade as a classical temple. Nowadays it is a gastronomic destination with food stalls all over the world. An essential visit that will take you to a distant time.