Oliver Building (Pittsburgh) facts for kids
The Henry W. Oliver Building is a tall, 25-story skyscraper located at 535 Smithfield Street in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It stands across from Mellon Square. This impressive building is about 106 meters (348 feet) tall. It was designed by a famous architect named Daniel Burnham and was built between 1908 and 1910. The outside of the building is made of stone and terra cotta, built over a strong steel frame. It cost about $3.5 million to build back then, which would be a lot more money today!
Quick facts for kids Henry W. Oliver Building |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| General information | |
| Type | Commercial offices |
| Location | 535 Smithfield Street Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| Coordinates | 40°26′28″N 79°59′53″W / 40.4411°N 79.9981°W |
| Construction started | 1908 |
| Completed | April 1, 1910 |
| Cost | US$3.5 million ($114 million today) |
| Height | |
| Roof | 105.77 m (347.0 ft) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 25 |
| Floor area | 338,359 sq ft (31,434.6 m2) |
| Lifts/elevators | 14 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | D. H. Burnham & Company |
| Developer | Estate of Henry W. Oliver |
| Designated: | 1974 |
Building History
The Henry W. Oliver Building was built exactly as Henry W. Oliver wanted in his will. Mr. Oliver was a very important person in the steel and coal industries. He wanted this building to be a central place for managing all his businesses. He also wanted it to be a landmark that would stand out in Pittsburgh's growing skyline.
The spot where the Oliver Building now stands was once very important for banking. It was the first home of Mellon Financial, a big bank, from 1869 to 1871. After that, the bank moved to a different location nearby. For many years, a large international law firm called K&L Gates had their main offices in the Oliver Building. However, in 2007, they moved to a bigger building. After they left, the Oliver Building was mostly empty for a while.
New Life as a Hotel
In late 2013, a big change started for the Henry W. Oliver Building. The top floors, from the 15th to the 25th, began to be turned into a hotel. This new hotel is an Embassy Suites Hotel and has 228 rooms. It was planned to open in late 2015.
The hotel's design was created by ThenDesign Architecture. The inside of the hotel is made to honor Henry W. Oliver and the "Industrial Age." This means the decor reflects the time when industries like steel and coal were very important. With the new hotel and a law firm leasing several floors, the building is now over 90% full again!
See also
In Spanish: Oliver Building (Pittsburgh) para niños
