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University Club (University of Pittsburgh)
Encyclopedia
University Club is an eight-story building of the University of Pittsburgh
designed by Henry Hornbostel
and completed 1923 that is a contributing property
to the Schenley Farms National Historic District
on the school's campus in Pittsburgh
, Pennsylvania
, United States
. It serves as a faculty club with publicly accessible dining, banquet, and conference facilities, while the upper four floors serve as housing for the families of out-of-town hospital patients.
to be closer to the city's college campuses, settling into the 1923 classical-style limestone building designed by architect Henry Hornbostel. An addition to the building was added in 1963. The club ceased operations in November, 2004 and the building was acquired by the University of Pittsburgh
for $3.1 million in 2005 for use as a faculty club, conference center, and banquet and event facility.
Following acquisition of the University Club, the University of Pittsburgh conducted a $20.2 million renovation designed by Landmark Design Associates with Massaro Corporation serving as the general contractor. The renovation converted the University Club for use as a faculty club, banquet and conference facility, and for housing for families of hospital patients. The building features a grand lobby with a curved staircase, a ballroom with a 600-pound crystal chandelier, high ceilings, a library room, and 10 feet (3 m) windows with sweeping views of the university campus. The renovation plans called for grand lobby to remain but renovations were to be conducted in the lounge area on the first floor. Floors 1-4 were to become a 4000 square feet (371.6 m²) faculty club, 4000 square feet (371.6 m²) fitness center, 18000 square feet (1,672.3 m²) conference and banquet facility, 4000 square feet (371.6 m²) kitchen facility, coffee shop, and 8000 square feet (743.2 m²) of offices. The upper floors, five through eight, have 48 guests rooms that are rented to Family House which helps families of hospital patients with housing. Renovation was completed and the club reopened on April 1, 2009.
Members-only faculty and staff club facilities include the College Lounge for bar and casual food and the University Club’s library and reading room which are located on the first floor, as well as the Fraternity Grill for higher-end dinning located on the second floor. A professionally-managed fitness center will be located in the basement of the building and will have separate areas for aerobics, strength and exercise equipment.
Publicly accessible facilities include a first-floor Brioche Dorée French Café, banquet facilities on the second floor suited for wedding receptions and other large gatherings, second- and third-floor small and large meeting or break-out rooms available to the University and outside communities, and a restored roof terrace that will host special events.
In addition, space was renovated to accommodate the Office of Research previously located in Thackeray Hall
, as well as flexible conference facilities to accommodate up to 300 people. The building will serve within the university's educational mission with the presence of Family House which will provide learning and outreach opportunities for students and faculty in Pitt’s Schools of Medicine
, Pharmacy
, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
, and Social Work
. Graduate students in health and physical activity will also be among the health coaches working in the fitness center.
and the University Health Center of Pittsburgh (today known as the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
). Following its opening in 1983, it has provided a special "home away from home" for more than 100,000 patients and families who must travel to Pittsburgh for treatment of serious or life-threatening illnesses. The $4.5 million renovation of the upper four floors of the University Club for the Family House began in January 2008 and was designed by Designstream Architectural Studio, while Massaro Corporation acted as construction manager on the project. Ribbon cutting was held in late April, 2009 and guest began to be accommodated in mid-May. The completion of the project marked the opening of the fourth location for Family House, which has three other locations in Oakland
and Shadyside
, and added 48 rooms that will support the needs of an additional 4,600 guests annually.
.
Ranging from mid-19th century pieces to newly commissioned works, several pieces depict local scenes including the "Edgar Thomson Works" by Ron Donoughe hanging outside the library, "Monongahela Incline" by Tom Ruddy hanging in the lower lobby, "Early Morning Bear Run" by Wang Yubao in a vestibule near the Thackeray Street entrance, and in the club’s main vestibule, a pair of Louis Orr etchings of the Cathedral of Learning
and Heinz Chapel, as well as a depiction of the university's early 20th century "Acropolis" plan for the campus designed by Henry Hornbostel
. The most visible piece is an acrylic painting that hangs behind the reception desk of the University Club itself by Bedford, Pennsylvania
artist Kevin Kutz, whose work “Cumberland Arches" also hangs in the second floor ballroom. An untilted Virgil Cantini
sculpture that hangs in a third-floor lounge. Among the new works purchased for the club are reproductions of several plates from John James Audubon
’s The Birds of America
.
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
designed by Henry Hornbostel
Henry Hornbostel
Henry Hornbostel was an American architect.He designed more than 225 buildings, bridges, and monuments in the United States; currently 22 are listed on the National Register of Historic Places....
and completed 1923 that is a contributing property
Contributing property
In the law regulating historic districts in the United States, a contributing resource or contributing property is any building, structure, or object which adds to the historical integrity or architectural qualities that make the historic district, listed locally or federally, significant...
to the Schenley Farms National Historic District
Historic district (United States)
In the United States, a historic district is a group of buildings, properties, or sites that have been designated by one of several entities on different levels as historically or architecturally significant. Buildings, structures, objects and sites within a historic district are normally divided...
on the school's campus in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
, 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...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It serves as a faculty club with publicly accessible dining, banquet, and conference facilities, while the upper four floors serve as housing for the families of out-of-town hospital patients.
History
The building was originally home to the private social club named the "University Club" established in 1890. Initially located Downtown Pittsburgh, the club founded was chartered to bring together college graduates who enjoyed literature, art and other culture. It later moved to OaklandOakland (Pittsburgh)
Oakland is the academic, cultural, and healthcare center of Pittsburgh and is Pennsylvania's third largest "Downtown". Only Center City Philadelphia and Downtown Pittsburgh can claim more economic and social activity than Oakland...
to be closer to the city's college campuses, settling into the 1923 classical-style limestone building designed by architect Henry Hornbostel. An addition to the building was added in 1963. The club ceased operations in November, 2004 and the building was acquired by the University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
for $3.1 million in 2005 for use as a faculty club, conference center, and banquet and event facility.
Renovation
Members-only faculty and staff club facilities include the College Lounge for bar and casual food and the University Club’s library and reading room which are located on the first floor, as well as the Fraternity Grill for higher-end dinning located on the second floor. A professionally-managed fitness center will be located in the basement of the building and will have separate areas for aerobics, strength and exercise equipment.
Publicly accessible facilities include a first-floor Brioche Dorée French Café, banquet facilities on the second floor suited for wedding receptions and other large gatherings, second- and third-floor small and large meeting or break-out rooms available to the University and outside communities, and a restored roof terrace that will host special events.
In addition, space was renovated to accommodate the Office of Research previously located in Thackeray Hall
Thackeray Hall
Thackeray Hall is an academic building of the University of Pittsburgh and a contributing property to the Schenley Farms National Historic District at 139 University Place on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States.Thackeray Hall houses Pitt's...
, as well as flexible conference facilities to accommodate up to 300 people. The building will serve within the university's educational mission with the presence of Family House which will provide learning and outreach opportunities for students and faculty in Pitt’s Schools of Medicine
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine is a medical school located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. The School of Medicine is also known as Pitt Med, and is ranked as a “top medical school” by U.S. News & World Report in the publication's categories of research and primary care...
, Pharmacy
University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy
The University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy is the graduate pharmacy school of the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Founded in 1878, it offers Doctor of Pharmacy and Doctor of Philosophy degrees, as well as a residency training program...
, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
The University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences is one of the schools of the University of Pittsburgh, one of six dedicated to Health Sciences....
, and Social Work
University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work
The University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work, one of the 17 schools within the University of Pittsburgh located in Pittsburgh, PA, is the fifth-oldest school of social work in the United States. The School of Social Work offers an undergraduate degree in Social Work, a masters in Social...
. Graduate students in health and physical activity will also be among the health coaches working in the fitness center.
Family House
Family House was first conceived in 1980 by the Women's Auxiliary of the American Cancer SocietyAmerican Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is the "nationwide community-based voluntary health organization" dedicated, in their own words, "to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and...
and the University Health Center of Pittsburgh (today known as the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is an $9 billion integrated global nonprofit health enterprise that has 54,000 employees, 20 hospitals, 4,200 licensed beds, 400 outpatient sites and doctors’ offices, a 1.5 million-member health insurance division, as well as commercial and...
). Following its opening in 1983, it has provided a special "home away from home" for more than 100,000 patients and families who must travel to Pittsburgh for treatment of serious or life-threatening illnesses. The $4.5 million renovation of the upper four floors of the University Club for the Family House began in January 2008 and was designed by Designstream Architectural Studio, while Massaro Corporation acted as construction manager on the project. Ribbon cutting was held in late April, 2009 and guest began to be accommodated in mid-May. The completion of the project marked the opening of the fourth location for Family House, which has three other locations in Oakland
Oakland (Pittsburgh)
Oakland is the academic, cultural, and healthcare center of Pittsburgh and is Pennsylvania's third largest "Downtown". Only Center City Philadelphia and Downtown Pittsburgh can claim more economic and social activity than Oakland...
and Shadyside
Shadyside (Pittsburgh)
Shadyside is a neighborhood in the East End of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. It has zip codes of both 15232 and 15206, and has representation on Pittsburgh City Council by the council member for District 8...
, and added 48 rooms that will support the needs of an additional 4,600 guests annually.
Art
The University Club features more than three dozen works of art that are displayed throughout the building. Appraised at approximately $40,000, the collection includes oils, watercolors, acrylics, tapestries, etchings, prints, and photography. Approximately half the art, including tapestries and prints on canvas, were purchased by the university for specific locations in the building during its renovation prior to its opening in 2009. Other works are on loan from the University Art Gallery, or are ones that once hung in a previous, but now-defunct faculty club, called the Pitt Club, that was previously housed in the Gardner Steel Conference CenterGardner Steel Conference Center
Gardner Steel Conference Center is an academic building of the University of Pittsburgh and a contributing property to the Schenley Farms National Historic District and a Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation Historic Landmark....
.
Ranging from mid-19th century pieces to newly commissioned works, several pieces depict local scenes including the "Edgar Thomson Works" by Ron Donoughe hanging outside the library, "Monongahela Incline" by Tom Ruddy hanging in the lower lobby, "Early Morning Bear Run" by Wang Yubao in a vestibule near the Thackeray Street entrance, and in the club’s main vestibule, a pair of Louis Orr etchings of the Cathedral of Learning
Cathedral of Learning
The Cathedral of Learning, a Pittsburgh landmark listed in the National Register of Historic Places, is the centerpiece of the University of Pittsburgh's main campus in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States...
and Heinz Chapel, as well as a depiction of the university's early 20th century "Acropolis" plan for the campus designed by Henry Hornbostel
Henry Hornbostel
Henry Hornbostel was an American architect.He designed more than 225 buildings, bridges, and monuments in the United States; currently 22 are listed on the National Register of Historic Places....
. The most visible piece is an acrylic painting that hangs behind the reception desk of the University Club itself by Bedford, Pennsylvania
Bedford, Pennsylvania
Bedford is a borough in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, west of the State Capital, Harrisburg. It is the county seat of Bedford County. Bedford was established in the mid-18th century. Population counts follow: 1890, 2,242; 1900, 2,167; 1910, 2,385. The population was 3,141 at the 2000...
artist Kevin Kutz, whose work “Cumberland Arches" also hangs in the second floor ballroom. An untilted Virgil Cantini
Virgil Cantini
Virgil David Cantini was an enamelist,sculptor and educator. He was well known for innovation with enamel and steel and received both local and national recognition for his work, including honorary awards, competitive prizes and commissions, along with a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1957...
sculpture that hangs in a third-floor lounge. Among the new works purchased for the club are reproductions of several plates from John James Audubon
John James Audubon
John James Audubon was a French-American ornithologist, naturalist, and painter. He was notable for his expansive studies to document all types of American birds and for his detailed illustrations that depicted the birds in their natural habitats...
’s The Birds of America
Birds of America (book)
The Birds of America is a book by naturalist and painter John James Audubon, containing illustrations of a wide variety of birds of the United States. It was first published as a series of sections between 1827 and 1838, in Edinburgh and London....
.