State Office Building | Historic Pittsburgh

1935/1980

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Title
State Office Building
Identifier
MSP285.B007.F07.I03
Source Identifier
MSP285.B007.F07.I03
Description
The State Office Building, located in the Golden Triangle in downtown Pittsburgh, was Pittsburgh’s first multi-story skyscraper in color. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held on January 12, 1955, for this $8.5 million, 16-story structure designed by the architectural firm of Altenhof and Bown. The two lower floors of the building contained white marble, while the main shaft of the structure was sheathed in blue aluminum panels, each was framed by natural aluminum. The use of colored metal panels was an innovation for Pittsburgh based Alcoa (Aluminum Company of America). Other features of this building included, bluish-green windows of glass that retard 40 percent of heat generated by sunlight, partitions that can be moved for efficient office arrangements, a battery of electronically operated freight and passenger elevators, and a completely soundproof interior.
Genre
photographs
Subject
State Office Building (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
Gateway Center (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
Downtown (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
Commercial buildings--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh.
Skyscrapers--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh.
Source
Allegheny Conference on Community Development Photographs, 1892-1981, MSP 285, Library and Archives Division, Senator John Heinz History Center
Contributor
Detre Library & Archives, Heinz History Center
Collection
Allegheny Conference on Community Development Photographs
Rights Information
Copyright Not Evaluated. The copyright and related rights status of this Item has not been evaluated. Please refer to the organization that has made the Item available for more information. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use.
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