Oliver Building (Pittsburgh)
Encyclopedia
The Henry W. Oliver Building is a 25-storey
, 106 m (347.8 ft) skyscraper at 535 Smithfield Street, across from Mellon Square
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
. The building was designed by Daniel Burnham
and built 1908-10, consisting of a stone and terra cotta
facade over a steel frame.
The structure was completed as per the parameters of its namesake's will. Oliver planned that the building both serve as a way to consolidate the management of his steel and coal operations, and as a way to leave a mark on the city's growing skyline. For many years, the primary tenants in the building were international law firm K&L Gates, but in 2007, they moved to the larger Ariba Building, which became known as K&L Gates Center
. Since their departure, the building has been only about 40% occupied.
Storey
A storey or story is any level part of a building that could be used by people...
, 106 m (347.8 ft) skyscraper at 535 Smithfield Street, across from Mellon Square
Mellon Square
Mellon Square is an urban park in Downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is the first Modernist park built above a parking garage. With its distinctive black-and-white geometric pavement, it is a prominent feature and gathering spot of Downtown Pittsburgh....
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. The building was designed by Daniel Burnham
Daniel Burnham
Daniel Hudson Burnham, FAIA was an American architect and urban planner. He was the Director of Works for the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. He took a leading role in the creation of master plans for the development of a number of cities, including Chicago and downtown Washington DC...
and built 1908-10, consisting of a stone and terra cotta
Terra cotta
Terracotta, Terra cotta or Terra-cotta is a clay-based unglazed ceramic, although the term can also be applied to glazed ceramics where the fired body is porous and red in color...
facade over a steel frame.
The structure was completed as per the parameters of its namesake's will. Oliver planned that the building both serve as a way to consolidate the management of his steel and coal operations, and as a way to leave a mark on the city's growing skyline. For many years, the primary tenants in the building were international law firm K&L Gates, but in 2007, they moved to the larger Ariba Building, which became known as K&L Gates Center
K&L Gates Center
K&L Gates Center is one of the major distinctive and recognizable features of Downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.K&L Gates Center , was completed in 1968. It has 39 floors, and rises 511 feet or 156 meters above Downtown Pittsburgh...
. Since their departure, the building has been only about 40% occupied.