List of tallest buildings in Pittsburgh
![A view of a city nestled at the point where two rivers merge. There are yellow bridges crossing the rivers and a large fountain at the point where they meet. The city steps back from a park surrounding this fountain.](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a8/PittSkyline082904.jpg/350px-PittSkyline082904.jpg)
Pittsburgh, the second-largest city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, is home to 135 completed high-rises,[1] 29 of which stand at least 300 feet (91 m) tall. The tallest building in Pittsburgh is the 64-story U.S. Steel Tower, which rises 841 feet (256 m) and was completed in 1970.[2] It also stands as the fourth-tallest building in Pennsylvania and the 43rd-tallest building in the United States. The second-tallest skyscraper in the city is BNY Mellon Center, which rises 725 feet (221 m).[3]
The history of skyscrapers in Pittsburgh began with the 1895 completion of the Carnegie Building; this structure, rising 13 floors, was the first steel-framed skyscraper to be constructed in the city.[4][5] It never held the title of tallest structure in the city, however, as it did not surpass the 249-foot (76 m) tower of the Allegheny County Courthouse, which was completed in 1888.[6] The Carnegie Building was later demolished in 1952 to make way for an expansion of a Kaufmann's (now Macy's) department store.[7] Pittsburgh experienced a large building boom from the late 1960s to the late 1980s. During this time, 12 of the city's 21 tallest building were constructed, including the city's three tallest structures, the U.S. Steel Tower, BNY Mellon Center, and PPG Place. The city is the site of 10 skyscrapers at least 492 feet (150 m) in height, of which two rank among the tallest in the United States. As of 2014[update], the skyline of Pittsburgh is ranked 18th in the United States and 77th in the world with 25 buildings rising at least 330 feet (100 m) in height.[8]
Unlike many other major American cities, Pittsburgh was the site of relatively few skyscraper construction projects in the 2000s decade. The most recently completed skyscraper in the city is Three PNC Plaza, which rises 344 feet (105 m) in height and was completed in 2009. As of 2013[update], the largest high-rise development under construction in Pittsburgh is the 545-foot (166 m) Tower at PNC Plaza, which is expected to be complete by 2015. Overall, as of May 2014[update], there were five high-rise buildings under construction or proposed for construction in Pittsburgh.[1]
Tallest buildings
This list ranks Pittsburgh skyscrapers that stand at least 300 feet (91 m) tall, based on standard height measurement. This includes spires and architectural details but does not include antenna masts. An equal sign (=) following a rank indicates the same height between two or more buildings. The "Year" column indicates the year in which a building was completed.
Rank | Name | Image | Height ft / m |
Floors | Year | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | U.S. Steel Tower | ![]() |
841 / 256 | 64 | 1970 | 46th-tallest building in the United States, 4th tallest in Pennsylvania. Has been the tallest building in the city since 1970, and was the tallest building in the state from 1970 until the 1987 completion of One Liberty Place in Philadelphia. Tallest building constructed in Pittsburgh in the 1970s. Known as the USX Tower between 1986 and 2000.[2][9] |
2 | BNY Mellon Center | ![]() |
725 / 221 | 54 | 1983 | 103rd tallest building in the U.S. Tallest building constructed in Pittsburgh in the 1980s. Formerly known as One Mellon Center.[3][10] |
3 | One PPG Place | ![]() |
635 / 194 | 40 | 1984 | [11][12] |
4 | Fifth Avenue Place | ![]() |
616 / 188 | 31 | 1988 | [13][14] |
5 | One Oxford Centre | ![]() |
615 / 187 | 45 | 1983 | [15][16] |
6 | Gulf Tower | ![]() |
582 / 177 | 44 | 1932 | Tallest building constructed in Pittsburgh in the 1930s.[17][18] |
7 | Tower at PNC Plaza | ![]() |
545 / 166 | 33 | 2015 | Opened October 2, 2015.[19][20][21] |
8 | Cathedral of Learning | ![]() |
535 / 163 | 42 | 1936 | Second-tallest university building in the world, behind the main building of Moscow State University. Tallest building in the city located outside of Downtown.[22][23] |
9 | 525 William Penn Place | 520 / 158 | 41 | 1951 | Tallest building constructed in Pittsburgh in the 1950s.[24][25] | |
10 | K&L Gates Center | ![]() |
511 / 156 | 39 | 1968 | Tallest building constructed in Pittsburgh in the 1960s Formerly known as One Oliver Plaza.[26][27] |
11 | Grant Building | ![]() |
485 / 148 | 40 | 1929 | [28][29] |
12 | Koppers Tower | 475 / 145 | 34 | 1929 | Tallest building constructed in Pittsburgh in the 1920s.[30][31] | |
13 | Two PNC Plaza | ![]() |
445 / 136 | 34 | 1975 | [32][33] |
14 | EQT Plaza | ![]() |
430 / 131 | 32 | 1987 | [34][35] |
15 | One PNC Plaza | ![]() |
424 / 129 | 30 | 1972 | [36][37] |
16 | Regional Enterprise Tower | ![]() |
410 / 125 | 30 | 1953 | First skyscraper with an all-aluminum facade. Formerly known as the Alcoa Building.[38][39] |
17 | Three PNC Plaza | ![]() |
361 / 110 | 23 | 2009 | Tallest building constructed in Pittsburgh in the 2000s.[40] |
18 | Federated Tower | 358 / 109 | 27 | 1982 | [41][42] | |
19 | 11 Stanwix Street | ![]() |
355 / 108 | 23 | 1969 | Formerly known as the Westinghouse Tower.[43][44] |
20 | Oliver Building | ![]() |
347 / 106 | 25 | 1910 | Tallest existing building constructed in Pittsburgh in the 1910s.[45][46] |
21 | Three Gateway Center | ![]() |
344 / 105 | 24 | 1952 | [47][48] |
22 | Centre City Tower | - | 341 / 104 | 26 | 1971 | [49][50] |
23 | William S. Moorhead Federal Building | ![]() |
340 / 104 | 23 | 1964 | [51][52] |
24 | Bell Telephone Building | ![]() |
339 / 103 | 20 | 1923 | [53][54] |
25 | Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown | ![]() |
333 / 102 | 22 | 1959 | Tallest hotel building in the city. Formerly operated as a Hilton property.[55][56] |
26 | Frick Building | ![]() |
330 / 101 | 20 | 1902 | Tallest existing building constructed in Pittsburgh in the 1900s.[57][58] |
27 | Four Gateway Center | ![]() |
305 / 93 | 22 | 1960 | [59][60] |
28= | City View | ![]() |
300 / 91 | 24 | 1964 | Formerly known as Washington Plaza.[61][62] |
28= | Commonwealth Building | - | 300 / 91 | 21 | 1906 | [63][64] |
28= | The Carlyle | ![]() |
300 / 91 | 21 | 1906 | [65] |
- indicates building is still under construction, but has been topped out
Timeline of tallest buildings
This list shows chronologically the buildings that held the title of tallest building in Pittsburgh.
Name | Image | Street address | Years as tallest | Height ft / m |
Floors | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Trinity Episcopal Cathedral | ![]() |
328 Sixth Avenue | 1872–1888 | 200 / 61 | N/A | [66] |
Allegheny County Courthouse | ![]() |
436 Grant Street | 1888–1902 | 249 / 76 | 5 | [6] |
Farmers Bank Building[A] | ![]() |
301 Fifth Avenue | 1902–1910 | 344 / 105 | 27 | [67] |
Oliver Building | ![]() |
535 Smithfield Street | 1910–1912 | 347 / 106 | 25 | [46] |
First National Bank Building[B] | ![]() |
511 Wood Street at Fifth Avenue | 1912–1928 | 387 / 118 | 26 | [68] |
Grant Building | ![]() |
330 Grant Street | 1928–1932 | 485 / 148 | 40 | [29] |
Gulf Building | ![]() |
707 Grant Street | 1932–1970 | 582 / 177 | 44 | [18] |
U.S. Steel Tower | ![]() |
600 Grant Street | 1970–present | 841 / 256 | 64 | [9] |
Tallest destroyed
This list ranks Pittsburgh skyscrapers that stood at least 300 feet (91 m) tall but have since been demolished or destroyed.
Name | Height feet / m |
Floors | Year Completed |
Year Destroyed |
Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
First National Bank Building | 387 / 118 | 26 | 1912 | 1970 | Demolished to make room for One PNC Plaza.[69][70] |
Farmers Bank Building | 344 / 105 | 27 | 1902 | 1997 | Demolished due to lack of tenants.[71][72] |
See also
Notes
- A. ^ This building was demolished in 1997 due to lack of tenants.[73]
- B. ^ This building was demolished in 1970 to make room for One PNC Plaza.[74]
References
- General
- Specific
- ^ a b "About: Pittsburgh". Emporis.com. Retrieved 2013-02-13.
- ^ a b "U.S. Steel Tower". Emporis.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ a b "One Mellon Center". Emporis.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "Steel City - Manufacturing Metropolis: 1876-1945". Pittsburgh History Series. WQED Pittsburgh. Archived from the original on 2008-03-18. Retrieved 2008-04-05.
- ^ "History of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania". Archived from the original on 2008-06-01. Retrieved 2008-04-05.
- ^ a b "Allegheny County Courthouse & Jail". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved 2008-04-05.
- ^ "Carnegie Building". Emporis.com. Retrieved 2008-04-05.
- ^ "Cities with the most skyscrapers". Emporis.com. Retrieved 2015-05-25.
- ^ a b "US Steel Tower". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "Mellon Bank Center". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "One PPG Place". Emporis.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "One PPG Place". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "Fifth Avenue Place". Emporis.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "Fifth Avenue Place". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "One Oxford Centre". Emporis.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "One Oxford Centre". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "Gulf Building". Emporis.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ a b "Gulf Building". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ Belko, Mark. "PNC shows off tower, its crown jewel". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2015-10-02.
- ^ "Tower at PNC Plaza". Skyscraper Page. Retrieved 2014-05-17.
- ^ "Tower at PNC Plaza". Emporis. Retrieved 2014-05-17.
- ^ "Cathedral of Learning". Emporis.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "Cathedral Of Learning". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "Three Mellon Center". Emporis.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "Three Mellon Center". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "FreeMarkets Center". Emporis.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "FreeMarkets Center". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "Grant Building". Emporis.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ a b "Grant Building". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "Koppers Building". Emporis.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "Koppers Building". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "Two PNC Plaza". Emporis.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "Two PNC Plaza". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "Dominion Tower". Emporis.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "Dominion Tower". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "One PNC Plaza". Emporis.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "One PNC Plaza". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "Regional Enterprise Tower". Emporis.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "Regional Enterprise Tower". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "Three PNC Plaza". PNC.com. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
- ^ "Federated Tower". Emporis.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "Federated Tower". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "Westinghouse Tower". Emporis.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "Westinghouse Tower". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "Oliver Building". Emporis.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ a b "Oliver Building". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "Three Gateway Center". Emporis.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "Three Gateway Center". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "Centre City Tower". Emporis.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "Center City Tower". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "William S. Moorhead Federal Building". Emporis.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "William S. Moorehead Federal Building". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "Bell Telephone Building". Emporis.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "Bell Telephone Building". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "Pittsburgh Hilton & Towers". Emporis.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "Hilton Pittsburgh & Towers". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "Frick Building". Emporis.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "Frick Building". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "Four Gateway Center". Emporis.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "Four Gateway Center". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "Washington Plaza". Emporis.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "Washington Plaza". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "Commonwealth Building". Emporis.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "Commonwealth Building". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "The Carlyle". Emporis.com. Retrieved 2007-12-25.
- ^ "Trinity Episcopal Cathedral". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved 2008-04-05.
- ^ "Farmers Bank Building". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved 2008-04-06.
- ^ "First National Bank". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved 2008-04-06.
- ^ "First National Bank Building". Emporis.com. Retrieved 2007-12-28.
- ^ "First National Bank". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved 2007-12-28.
- ^ "Farmers Bank Building". Emporis.com. Retrieved 2007-12-28.
- ^ "Farmers Bank Building". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved 2007-12-28.
- ^ "Farmers Bank Building". Emporis.com. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
- ^ "First National Bank Building". Emporis.com. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
External links
- Diagram of Pittsburgh skyscrapers on SkyscraperPage
Further reading
- Six page Pittsburgh Post-Gazette feature on some of the city's iconic skyscrapers
- Who owns the sky? news feature
- 1982 news feature on city's skyscraper boom
- News feature