Commonwealth Building (Pittsburgh) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Commonwealth Building |
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Fourth Avenue
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| General information | |
| Location | 316 Fourth Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| Coordinates | 40°26′21″N 80°00′03″W / 40.43917°N 80.00083°W |
| Completed | 1906 |
| Height | |
| Roof | 300 ft (91 m) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 21 |
| Floor area | 80,000 sq ft (7,432 m2) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Frederick J. Osterling |
The Commonwealth Building is a tall skyscraper in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was once known as the Commonwealth Trust Bank. This impressive building stands about 300 feet (91 meters) high and has 21 floors. It was finished in 1906. Today, it's one of the 26th tallest buildings in Pittsburgh, sharing that spot with The Carlyle and Washington Plaza.
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Building History
The Commonwealth Building was constructed in 1906 for a company called the Commonwealth Trust Company. Building work started in June 1906.
Construction Challenges
During construction, there was a short break in August 1906. Workers went on strike because they wanted higher wages. They were earning $1.75 a day, but union workers on a nearby building were getting $2.00 a day. The problem was solved quickly, and by August 5, 1906, the building's main structure was already up to the twelfth floor.
A New Home for Business
The building was fully completed in 1907. The Commonwealth Trust Company moved into their new offices by April 1. They had previously been located at a different address on Fourth Avenue. The building was very modern for its time. It had five special elevators, built by the famous Otis Elevator Company, to help people get to all twenty floors.
Important Offices and Events
Over the years, the Commonwealth Building was home to many important offices. It served as the headquarters for the Steel Workers Organizing Committee. This group later became the United Steelworkers, a large union that helps steel workers.
In 1927, Andrew J. Kelley Jr., who was the president of the Commonwealth Trust Company, passed away suddenly in his office in the building.
Future Plans
For a while, the Commonwealth Building was empty. But in January 2019, exciting plans were announced. The building will be renovated and turned into an apartment complex. It will have 150 apartments and shops on the ground floor. This means the historic building will have a new life!
