[Evergrey]

warning: contains no Utica content

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3650/3404463291_1f5805a30b_o.jpg

here we go... a stroll through Downtown Pittsburgh... you can supplement what you're viewing with these two recent articles:

Despite recession, Pittsburgh in a building boom (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090326/ap_on_bi_ge/pittsburgh_housing_boom_1)

Historic buildings find green future in Pittsburgh (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/01/business/01pitt.html?_r=2)

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC06983.jpg?t=1238556755

the pale blue structure has undergone a remarkable residential transformation... previously it was a blight
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC06986.jpg?t=1238556880

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC06987.jpg?t=1238556953

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC06989.jpg?t=1238557063

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC06990.jpg?t=1238557146

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC06994.jpg?t=1238557331

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07000.jpg?t=1238557468

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07001.jpg?t=1238557519

there are many of these old skinny buildings along Liberty and Penn... and they have proven popular as residential conversions
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07002.jpg?t=1238557612

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07003.jpg?t=1238558642

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07004.jpg?t=1238558679

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07005.jpg?t=1238558696

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07009.jpg?t=1238558791

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07010.jpg?t=1238558820

Three PNC Plaza is nearing completion... this 780,000 sq. ft. "green" mixed-use tower will feature office space, retail, condos and a Fairmont Hotel
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07011.jpg?t=1238558849

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07012.jpg?t=1238558912

Heinz Hall... home of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07013.jpg?t=1238558935

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07018.jpg?t=1238559036

the Century Building is undergoing residential conversion
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07025.jpg?t=1238559100

PNC Bank's trio of towers... from left... 2 PNC, 1 PNC and 3 PNC
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07015.jpg?t=1238559144

I really like the shape of 3 PNC from this angle... looking south along Sixth St.
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07016.jpg?t=1238559172

the building at left is a condo conversion... with a few new floors added on top... the building at right was converted to a hotel a few years ago
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07029.jpg?t=1238570969

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07030.jpg?t=1238571004

one of Downtown Pittsburgh's many substantial older towers that tend to get lost amidst the tall, dense skyline... I wonder what this one's called
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07031.jpg?t=1238571043

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07035.jpg?t=1238571068

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07036.jpg?t=1238571100

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07037.jpg?t=1238571128

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07038.jpg?t=1238571157

the new condos of mixed-use development Piatt Place can be seen in the distance... formerly a Lazarus Department store... the lower levels feature office space and restaurants... while 65 condos were built on top with an interior courtyard in the sky
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07040.jpg?t=1238571336

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07041.jpg?t=1238571373

the 1915 Flemish Gothic Union Trust Building is undergoing a major "green" renovation by a Los Angeles real estate company... it's always been one of my favorites... but I never realized it was so colorful until now... Siemens has just consolidated its Power Generation unit in the building... which was largely vacant until recently
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07043.jpg?t=1238571414

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07045.jpg?t=1238571439

The Park Building (1896) is Pittsburgh's oldest existing skyscraper... unfortunately the 60s happened and it was defaced with some unfortunate materials
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07047.jpg?t=1238571466

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07048.jpg?t=1238571491

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07049.jpg?t=1238571530

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07051.jpg?t=1238571574

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07053.jpg?t=1238571596

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07054.jpg?t=1238571912

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07055.jpg?t=1238571929

Market Square has seen a remarkable improvement in its retail mix lately... the square itself will be undergoing a makeover soon
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07056.jpg?t=1238571970

the historic G.C. Murphy department store in Market Square is undergoing residential conversion
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07057.jpg?t=1238572033

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07058.jpg?t=1238572052

this cluster of small buildings between Market Square and Three PNC were dilapidated until recently... they're now being restored as a mixed-use complex
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07059.jpg?t=1238572167

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07061.jpg?t=1238572190

the subway extension will burrow under the Allegheny River... connecting the North Shore to Downtown
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07062.jpg?t=1238572594

Fourth Ave... one of my favorites
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07063.jpg?t=1238572668

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07069.jpg?t=1238572713

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07071.jpg?t=1238572757

the Arrott Building is spectacular
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07073.jpg?t=1238572790

this 1906 skyscraper is undergoing residential conversion
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07074.jpg?t=1238572874

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07076.jpg?t=1238611197

Piatt Place
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07078.jpg?t=1238611231

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07080.jpg?t=1238611261

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07085.jpg?t=1238611302

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07086.jpg?t=1238611327

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07087.jpg?t=1238611355

Sixth St. Bridge
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07090.jpg?t=1238611396

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07093.jpg?t=1238612626

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07098.jpg?t=1238612689

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07099.jpg?t=1238612712

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07102.jpg?t=1238612735

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07103.jpg?t=1238612753

Ft. Duquesne Bridge
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07104.jpg?t=1238612774

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07106.jpg?t=1238612796

Ft. Pitt Bridge
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07107.jpg?t=1238612938

hello again
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07108.jpg?t=1238612958

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07112.jpg?t=1238612993

Heinz Field... home of the reigning NFL champions... the Sixburgh Steelers!
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07113.jpg?t=1238613006

traveling into the confluence
http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07116.jpg?t=1238613047

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07117.jpg?t=1238613059

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07120.jpg?t=1238613092

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07123.jpg?t=1238613130

[Ex-Ithacan]

Too much eye candy, my diabetes can't take it. Beautiful stuff Eg. Gotta love downtown Pittsburgh. And 4th Ave is my favorite too. Thanks.

[holladay]

http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC06990.jpg

Great tour, EG! Love those tall skinny guys from the turn of the century.

[ColDayMan]

I prefer Utica.

[Swinefeld]

Nice tour! Go, Pittsburgh.

[SpongeG]

cool set

[PA Pride]

Where are all the people? Oh yeah..... EVERYWHERE!

[boden]

Where is Pittsburgh's Cornhill?:D
Seriously fabulous photos!:tup: :tup: :tup:

[flar]

Great tour, EG! Love those tall skinny guys from the turn of the century.

I prefer to think of them as gals ;)

Great shots, this one is very sparkly: http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07117.jpg?t=1238613059

[Kingofthehill]

DAMN!

This thread has seriously made me want to visit Pittsburgh. The charming old buildings, the human scale, the scenery. Talk about a holy trnity. Oh my. How is transit ridership? What kind of reputation does the T have?

BTW, this has got me thinking...everybody (who's capable of it, anyways) should make a photo thread showing what their city's Downtown gained during the "boom".

[AaronPGH]

Great job Evergrey! I always love this time of year. The whole city seems to come out of hibernation and everyone's like "woah! people live here!". :cool:

[mhays]

Love it. Also, had no idea K&L Gates has its name on a skyscraper of that size. The "Gates" is Bill Sr., by the way.

[holladay]

I prefer to think of them as gals ;)



But buildings aren't boats... Some of them are gals but lots of 'em aren't. Maybe these are more like old fellas hanging out on the street curb. :)

[STLgasm]

I love that city. Downtown Pittsburgh definitely screams "big city" with its narrow canyons and Eastern hustle bustle that is lacking in comparable cities in the Midwest.

[MplsTodd]

Awesome thread! One of my favorite downtowns anywhere!

[Buckeye Native 001]

Simpsons reference for the win :tup:

[BG918]

Definitely on my list of places to visit along with the other Ohio Valley cities of Louisville and Cincinnati.

[PA Pride]

Love it. Also, had no idea K&L Gates has its name on a skyscraper of that size. The "Gates" is Bill Sr., by the way.

You know, you bring up a great point. In downtown Pittsburgh, the newest signage is K&L Gates named for Bill Gates Sr. And in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh, work is being completed on the new $100 million Gates School of Computer Science which was built based on a $20 mil. grant from Bill Gates Jr.

http://www.cmu.edu/cmnews/extra/extra_art/060421_gates_4_lg.jpg
Source: http://www.cmu.edu/cmnews/extra/060407_gates.html

[holladay]

^ Oh yeah, that's a new Mack Scogin Merrill Elam project. Has anyone posted updates for it on SSP? I searched, but nothing turned up.

[PA Pride]

^ Oh yeah, that's a new Mack Scogin Merrill Elam project. Has anyone posted updates for it on SSP? I searched, but nothing turned up.

No photo updates for a long time in our development thread. It should be finished soon though and then we'll get some pictures.

[Wheelingman04]

One of the best downtowns in America.

[pj3000]

awesome downtown pittsburgh tour

pittsburgh loves the logo on its skyscrapers, much to my chagrin

[TXLove]

Pittsburgh looks so damn good!

[JMancuso]

that city needs a statue of the bus.

[pj3000]

that city needs a statue of the bus.

god, no. if they ever did that, they might as well put up a statue of terry bradshaw too. then pittsburgh could have both of its biggest steeler phonies in bronze.

[st steven]

Looks fantastic, great shots. I'm trying to put together a Pittsburgh trip for the Cards-Pirates series in August.

[Drewcifer]

Pittsburgh looks nice but you should have gone to Utica.

[jonjj]

Pittsburgh always has that great feel to it. I am glad to see more residential in the downtown area as it can become quite still after working hours at times. I know it seems like a huge task but I would personally love to see the eventual elimination of that freeway running along the river. It always brings back the good old days of steel mills.
Question: I have read that there is a casino being built somewhere in the downtown area. Where is the site for that?
Pittsburgh is one of those hidden gems most in the country overlook. Great shots.

[PhillyRising]

If Dahntahn Picksburgh's population swells.....watch out!

It's a great time of the year when the northlands come out of their winter hibernation.

Good job Evergrey.

[kcexpress69]

Great shots Evergrey!! Quite a bit of activity in Pittsburgh has been shown through your lense!! Keep it going!! :D

[DetroitSky]

Great stuff!

[Pittsburgh1192]

.
Question: I have read that there is a casino being built somewhere in the downtown area. Where is the site for that?


Rivers Casino is currently being built on the North Shore, which is across the river, right in between Heinz Field and PNC Park. Very nice shots evergrey. It makes me happy to see that the population decline is reversing, our economy is thriving, and our skyline is looking better than ever!

[dugdogmaster]

Oh yeahhhh!!!

[bomberguy]

Pittsburgh looks awesome!

Makes me want to buy a pirates hat.

[Burgh15]

Great shots Evergrey! I was in downtown a few weeks ago for a conference and it was great to see all of the life on the streets.

[JackStraw]

Excellent job Evergrey. I re-opened my account when I saw your thread so I could compliment your work. You did an amazing job showing off our city. Thanks for showing Pittsburgh for what it is.

[Thundertubs]

Fort Awesome.

[Evergrey]

Excellent job Evergrey. I re-opened my account when I saw your thread so I could compliment your work. You did an amazing job showing off our city. Thanks for showing Pittsburgh for what it is.

please stay! we missed you! I even posted a New Kensington article for you!

[photolitherland]

wow, look at all of the people just walking around. You never see that in southern cities like Houston. Must be due to all of the colleges and such around there. Great tour. I have a friend that goes to Carnegie Mellon and Im so jealous of him now!

[PA Pride]

Excellent job Evergrey. I re-opened my account when I saw your thread so I could compliment your work. You did an amazing job showing off our city. Thanks for showing Pittsburgh for what it is.

WHOA! Where'd you go dude? Are you gonna stick around? Welcome back.

[dugdogmaster]

Excellent job Evergrey. I re-opened my account when I saw your thread so I could compliment your work. You did an amazing job showing off our city. Thanks for showing Pittsburgh for what it is.

Please stay!?!

Get laid?:banana: :whip:

[peanut gallery]

I love all the street-level shots. Pittsburgh is clearly very photogenic from up close and afar.

[mthq]

great pics! i must visit!

[mSeattle]

Gorgeous

[EventHorizon]

great work! I really like shot of 3 PNC from the north shore!

[jbraski]

Thank you Evergrey! Those were truly spectacular photos of Pittsburgh. I lived there (Bloomfield) recently for a Landscape Architecture job but got laid-off in January.I moved from Northern Minnesota out to PA in June and had to move back. I can't believe how much it has changed since then! Keep up the outstanding work and I look forward to keeping in touch with one of my favorite cities:yes: through your photos! Thanks again.

[pwright1]

What a cool downtown. The old buildings are just beautiful.

[OfCourse]

Well, I'm impressed. Heh.

[Evergrey]

I prefer to think of them as gals ;)

Great shots, this one is very sparkly: http://i531.photobucket.com/albums/dd360/pittsburghrules/downtown%20pittsburgh/DSC07117.jpg?t=1238613059

Yes, I was very pleased with the way that one turned out... I suppose the silhouette / sparkly aspect may have been created by an intense zoom which limited the sunlight... I'm no expert

DAMN!

This thread has seriously made me want to visit Pittsburgh. The charming old buildings, the human scale, the scenery. Talk about a holy trnity. Oh my. How is transit ridership? What kind of reputation does the T have?


Metro Pittsburgh's core county of Allegheny has the highest percentage of workforce riding transit outside the BosWash corridor, Bay Area and Cook County (Illinois)... Portland's core county was right behind as of 2007... things may have changed with the recent surge in transit usage during the $4 gas era of 2008. Half of Downtown's workforce takes transit. Pittsburgh is a very transit-dependent city and there are a high number of car-free households here. Sadly, the transit agency is always in trouble due to its own excessive legacy costs and the lack of a dedicated source of funding from Pennsylvania.

The T has a reputation as a clean, pleasant ride. And it's free within downtown! I really enjoy it, but unfortunately only have rare opportunities to take it... since it currently only goes in one direction... to the south. There are three lines... two that run parallel about 25 miles into the southern suburbs... and a short loop through the southern city neighborhood of Allentown. Unfortunately, few city neighborhoods are served by the T. The subway portion is currently being extended under the Allegheny River to the North Shore in the vicinity of the stadiums, where it will emerge above ground. Sadly, this short link currently has no further expansion plans... though the transit authority has mentioned it as being the first link to the North Hills and the Airport... whenever that may be. Unfortunately, there still exists no LRT link between Pennsylvania's second and third largest employment centers... Downtown Pittsburgh and the Oakland neighborhood to the east.

Love it. Also, had no idea K&L Gates has its name on a skyscraper of that size. The "Gates" is Bill Sr., by the way.

The sign was just placed on that 511 ft. skyscraper a couple weeks ago as K&L Gates has just consolidated its international HQ in that building. You are probably aware that Pittsburgh-based Kirkpatrick & Lockhart merged with Seattle-based Gates & Ellis in 2007, resulting in one of the largest law firms in the U.S.

Simpsons reference for the win :tup:

I'm glad someone got it... it was rather obscure... I just loved that old civic boosterism filmstrip from that episode... I love that element of the series... from the old educational filmstrip on zinc to Troy McClure's narration of the disco teenage bunnies having sex

I also love the frequent references to Albany and Utica

god, no. if they ever did that, they might as well put up a statue of terry bradshaw too. then pittsburgh could have both of its biggest steeler phonies in bronze.

this controversial statement needs some elaboration

wow, look at all of the people just walking around. You never see that in southern cities like Houston. Must be due to all of the colleges and such around there. Great tour. I have a friend that goes to Carnegie Mellon and Im so jealous of him now!

Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh are located in the Oakland neighborhood... a few miles east of Downtown. However, Downtown Pittsburgh has a number of growing educational institutions... such as Point Park University, the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Culinary Institute, etc. Duquesne University is adjacent to Downtown.

[Buckeye Native 001]

I'm glad someone got it... it was rather obscure... I just loved that old civic boosterism filmstrip from that episode... I love that element of the series... from the old educational filmstrip on zinc to Troy McClure's narration of the disco teenage bunnies having sex

Just so happens that "City on the...grow?" was from one of my favorite episodes "$pringfield (Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Legalized Gambling)"

Its a shame no city in this country (or anywhere to my recollection) literally has streets paved with gold.

[jomaled]

Beatiful, lively, lovely, quite densely urban! I love Pittsburgh.