Pittsburgh Athletic Association facts for kids
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Pittsburgh Athletic Association
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Pittsburgh Athletic Association
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 Location in Pittsburgh
Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | 4215 5th Ave., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
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| Area | 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) |
| Built | 1909-1911 |
| Architect | Janssen & Abbott |
| Architectural style | Venetian High Renaissance |
| Part of | Schenley Farms Historic District (ID83002213) |
| NRHP reference No. | 78002338 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 15, 1978 |
| Designated CP | July 22, 1983 |
The Pittsburgh Athletic Association is a famous building in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was designed by the architect Benno Janssen. This grand building first opened as the home for a private club that focused on sports and social activities. Today, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places because of its important history and design.
Contents
Exploring the Building's Design and Features
This impressive building was finished in 1911. It stands eight stories tall and is made of steel, covered with stone and terra cotta. Its style is called Venetian High Renaissance. This means it looks like the beautiful buildings from the Renaissance period in Venice, Italy.
Architectural Inspiration
The architect, Benno Janssen, was inspired by famous palaces and libraries in Venice. He studied buildings like the Palazzo Corner della Ca' Grande and the Biblioteca Marciana. These were all designed by a famous Italian architect named Jacopo Sansovino. Janssen used these old designs to create a unique look for the Pittsburgh Athletic Association.
Inside the Pittsburgh Athletic Association
When you step inside, you find a grand lobby with high ceilings. These ceilings are decorated with cool patterns and designs. The walls are made of stone, and there's a big marble fireplace. Other special rooms include the Pennsylvania Room, which used to be a billiards room. The Schenley Lounge once displayed many artworks. The Oakland Room was a special place for ladies. There's also a dining room with large, fancy windows and a cozy grille room with a fireplace and curved ceilings.
Location and Nearby Landmarks
The building is located in the Oakland area of Pittsburgh. It sits at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Bigelow Boulevard. From here, you can see other important buildings. These include the University of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning and the William Pitt Union. You can also see the Soldiers and Sailors National Military Museum and Memorial. Interestingly, the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial and the nearby Twentieth Century Club were also designed by Benno Janssen.
A Look at the Club's History
The Pittsburgh Athletic Association social club started in 1908. It was founded by a real estate developer named Franklin Nicola. Before moving into its famous building, the club first operated from another building downtown.
The Club's Activities and Sports
The Pittsburgh Athletic Association was a club where members could enjoy many activities. It had great sports facilities, offered lessons, and even spa services. Members could also enjoy fine dining and stay overnight. Some cool features included a swimming pool on the third floor. There were also basketball and squash courts. The building even had a 16-lane bowling alley! One room was dedicated to Johnny Majors, a famous football coach from the University of Pittsburgh. The club held popular yearly events, like an Easter brunch and a lobster dinner. They also hosted college boxing matches.
Ice Hockey Success
From 1916 to 1920, the PAA had a very strong amateur ice hockey team. Famous Canadian players like Herb Drury and brothers Joe and Larry McCormick played for them. In 1918, the team won the championship of the National Amateur Hockey League. When ice hockey became an Olympic sport in 1920, four players from the PAA team joined the U.S. team. They even won a silver medal!
Later Years and Changes
At its most popular, the club had 2,500 members. Even Fred Rogers, the beloved children's TV host, used to swim there every day. However, in the 2010s, fewer people joined the club. Membership dropped, and the club faced financial challenges. In 2017, the club had to close. The land behind the building was then used to build a 10-story hotel.
New Owners and Future Plans
In 2017, a group called Walnut Capital bought the building for $11.9 million. By 2021, they had spent $25 million to fix up both the outside and inside of the building. The original Pittsburgh Athletic Association club had planned to rent some space in the renovated building. However, they decided not to and instead looked into joining with other clubs. This meant the club no longer had a connection to the building that carried its name. In 2024, the University of Pittsburgh decided to buy the building for $34 million.
In Film
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The Pittsburgh Athletic Association building has even been featured in movies! In 2009, a scene from the film Love & Other Drugs was filmed in the Grill Room. This movie starred Jake Gyllenhaal and Hank Azaria. Also, part of the 2010 movie She's Out of My League was filmed in the building's bowling alley.
See also
- List of American gentlemen's clubs
- Schenley Farms Historic District
