Albert Frankel

Albert Brur Frankel (March 1, 1868 – June 27, 1957) was a Swedish-American architect who lived the majority of his life in East St. Louis, Illinois. He is most known for designing the Spivey Building, the only skyscraper ever constructed in the city.

Biography Frankel was born in Stockholm, Sweden on March 1, 1868 to Lars and Theresa Frankel. The three, along with his elder brother August, immigrated to the United States in 1870. Despite no confirmation, it can be believed the family was fleeing the country due to economic hardship and the Swedish famine of 1867–1869. The family was confirmed to be living in East St. Louis, Illinois by 1880. He was viewed as an esteemed architect by the turn of the century. He had been practicing the craft for 15 years by 1902. Meaning his studies began by age 18-19, likely from nearby McKendree College, now McKendree University. His brother is stated as being a mechanic by 1906. We know that same year that Frankel was the superintendent of the Elks Building where his office was located at 206 Collinsville avenue. Frankel is identified as living with his wife Harriet Campbell by 1910. By 1940, Albert and his wife had both moved to Los Angeles. Harriet died in 1954 at the age of 88, preceding Albert, who died on June 27, 1957 aged 89. They are both buried within Forest Lawn Memorial Park in the Hollywood Hills. They are two of the earliest-born people in the cemetery.

Architectural works Albert was largely a local architect who assisted in the creation of many structures in the City of East St. Louis, St. Clair County, and parts of Southern Illinois. Although, many of the records that attest certain structures to his design are lost.

Joyce House 1901 1005 Pennsylvania Ave, East St. Louis Katherine Dunham MuseumFirst Methodist Church 1904? 1301 Summit Ave?, East St. Louis Demolished (2002)Murphy Building 1909 234 Collinsville Ave, East St. Louis Demolished (2015)Ainad Temple (In conjunction with William Ittner) 1923 609 St Louis Ave, East St. Louis In useSpivey Building 1927 417 Missouri Ave, East St. Louis Abandoned (1980)