PPG Place

{{short description|Building complex in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania}}

{{Infobox building

| name = PPG Place

| image = Pittsburgh-pennsylvania-ppg-place-2007.jpg

| image_size = 250px

| caption =

| location = 1 PPG Place
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

| coordinates = {{coord|40.4398|-80.0032|region:US-PA|display=inline,title}}

| start_date = January 28, 1981

| completion_date = April 11, 1984

| building_type = Commercial offices

| antenna_spire = {{convert|193.55|m|abbr=on}}

| roof = {{convert|166|m|abbr=on}}

| floor_count = 40

| elevator_count = 23

| parking = 700

| cost = {{US$|200 million}}
(${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|200|1982|r=1}}}} million today)

| floor_area = {{convert|1,499,983|sqft|abbr=on}}{{cite web|title=One PPG Place|url=http://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/one-ppg-place/1874|website=Skyscraper Center|publisher=CTBUH|access-date=2017-07-29}}

| architectural_style = Postmodern

| architect = Philip Johnson
John Burgee

| structural_engineer= Leslie E. Robertson & Associates, R.L.L.P.

| main_contractor = Mellon Stuart Construction and Blount Brothers Construction, Joint Venture

| developer = Johnson/Burgee Architects

| owner = Highwood Properties

| management = Highwood Properties

| references = {{Cite web |url=https://www.emporis.com/buildings/121943 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306075539/https://www.emporis.com/buildings/121943 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=March 6, 2016 |title=Emporis building ID 121943 |work=Emporis}}{{Glass Steel and Stone|474}}{{SkyscraperPage|6696}}{{Structurae|20003288}}

|website = {{URL|http://www.ppgplace.com/}}

}}

PPG Place is a complex in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, consisting of six buildings within three city blocks and five and a half acres. PPG Place was designed by architects Philip Johnson and John Burgee.

Named for its anchor tenant, PPG Industries, which initiated the project for its headquarters, the buildings are all of matching glass design consisting of 19,750 pieces of glass. The complex centers on One PPG Place, a 40-story office building. Groundbreaking ceremonies occurred on January 28, 1981. The complex buildings opened between 1983 and 1984, and a dedication ceremony took place on April 11, 1984. Total cost of construction was $200 million (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|200|1982|r=1}}}} million today). The buildings were sold by The Hillman Company to Highwoods Properties in 2011.{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}}

Construction

File:Oneppgplace.jpg.]]

The project was started by PPG Industries (formerly Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company) to serve as the company's headquarters, after being based in Downtown Pittsburgh since 1895.{{cite web |url=http://www.carnegielibrary.org/exhibit/neighborhoods/downtown/down_n72.html |title=Downtown: PPG Place |publisher=Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh |access-date=December 18, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081017042336/http://www.carnegielibrary.org/exhibit/neighborhoods/downtown/down_n72.html |archive-date=October 17, 2008 }} The company contracted the project to architect Philip Johnson and his partner John Burgee. Designed in the neogothic style but with modern innovations, the complex had many inspirations, including London's Victoria Tower,{{cite web |url=http://www.glasssteelandstone.com/BuildingDetail/474.php |title=One PPG Place |publisher=Glass, Steel, and Stone |access-date=December 18, 2008 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090817094409/http://www.glasssteelandstone.com/BuildingDetail/474.php |archive-date=August 17, 2009 }} and H.H. Richardson's Allegheny County Courthouse and Charles Klauder's Cathedral of Learning in Pittsburgh.{{cite web |url=http://www.galinsky.com/buildings/ppg/index.htm |title=PPG Place, Pittsburgh PA |publisher=Galinsky |year=2007 |access-date=December 18, 2008}} Before the building was constructed, an 8-foot-tall, 600 pound model was made, with glass cut at the Ford City PPG works.{{cite web |url=http://triblive.com/aande/museums/1248913-74/ppg-glass-museum-history-local-model-says-allegheny-program-valley#axzz2NZlIuE3R |title=Museum program touts role of PPG on local glass industry|publisher=Julie Martin |year=2012 |access-date=March 14, 2013}}

During demolition and preparation of the site, a team of University of Pittsburgh anthropologists collected over 10,000 artifacts dating to the 18th century in what was the Kings Garden and Kings Orchard about 1,000 feet from the gate to Fort Pitt, as well as many medical instruments denoting facilities in the area. The team also discovered several stone-lined wells and cisterns dating to around 1800 that were subsequently filled with refuse and artifacts in the early 1800s as the early settlement expanded and the wells went dry.{{Cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HblPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=agYEAAAAIBAJ&dq=pittsburgh+skyscraper&pg=7119,6661225|title=Ocala Star-Banner - Google News Archive Search|website=news.google.com|accessdate=22 December 2023}} The site was the home of the four-story Guskey's Department Store for much of the 20th century.{{cite web|url=http://pgdigs.tumblr.com/post/70864751769/dec-8-2006-ice-and-glass-at-ppg-place-the |title=The Digs: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | Dec. 8, 2006: Ice and glass at PPG Place The |publisher=Pgdigs.tumblr.com |access-date=2016-03-25}}

The buildings are recognized by their 231 glass spires, with the largest one {{convert|82|ft|m}} tall. Also notable are the surfaces of reflective insulating glass, that served to advertise the project's founder. The buildings contain over one million square feet of PPG's Solarban 550 Twindow - 19,750 pieces. The primary building, One PPG Place, is a 40-story tower, with PPG Industries occupying half of the space. The complex also contains a 14-story building, and four 6-story structures. PPG Industries also uses space in one of the other buildings. The lobby of One PPG is a {{convert|50|ft|m|adj=on}}-high entrance that features red glass. The building has 21 elevators, each with walls constructed of clear glass panels enclosing fractured glass. In total, the complex cost $200 million.

The design of the building not only made it distinct, but created high energy-efficiency. Heat in the summer is reflected away from the building by the glass, while in winter infrared heat is reflected and contained within the building. The surface walls feature a barrier construction that effectively separates the interior walls from the exterior. The building also collects heat from computer equipment and recycles it throughout the structure.

Construction of the building highlighted Pittsburgh's "Renaissance II period", which saw the Pittsburgh economy weather steel mill closures, while Pittsburgh Plate Glass remained a Fortune 500 company.{{cite news |url=http://www.pittsburghcitypaper.ws/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A20483 |title=Best Pittsburgh Building: PPG Place |first=Charles |last=Rosenblum |newspaper=Pittsburgh City Paper |date=December 16, 2006 |access-date=December 18, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070107211619/http://www.pittsburghcitypaper.ws/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A20483 |archive-date=January 7, 2007 |url-status=dead }}

Office space opened in August 1983, the retail shops opened in November 1984, and the complex was dedicated on April 11, 1984.{{cite web|url=http://www.ppgplace.com/building_notes.shtml |title=Architectural Notes |publisher=Grubb & Ellis Management Services |year=2008 |access-date=December 14, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121090719/http://www.ppgplace.com/building_notes.shtml |archive-date=November 21, 2008 }}

Buildings and public spaces

File:PPG Place in Pittsburgh in 2016.jpg

PPG Place sits on six city blocks ({{convert|5+1/2|acre|m2|disp=comma}}) bound by Forbes Avenue and the Boulevard of the Allies on its north and south sides, and Stanwix Street and Wood Street to its east and west. The complex consists of six buildings, which surround an open-air plaza:{{cite web |title=About PPG Place |url=http://www.ppgplace.com/about/ |website=PPG Place |access-date=26 May 2020}}

One PPG Place, a 40-floor building with a height of {{convert|635|ft|m}}, and a total capacity of approximately {{convert|1.5|e6sqft|m2}}.{{cite web |title=One PPG Place |url=http://www.skyscrapercentre.com/pittsburgh/one-ppg-place/1874 |website=The Skyscraper Center |publisher=Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat |access-date=26 May 2020}} This is the tallest building in the complex, serving as the complex's centerpiece, and as of 2020 is the third tallest building in Pittsburgh.
Two PPG Place, a 6-floor building.
Three PPG Place, a 6-floor building.
Four PPG Place, a 6-floor building.
Five PPG Place, a 6-floor building.
Six PPG Place, a 14-floor building with a height of {{convert|223|ft|m}}.{{cite web |title=Six PPG Place, Pittsburgh |url=https://www.emporis.com/buildings/121999/six-ppg-place-pittsburgh-pa-usa |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116025809/https://www.emporis.com/buildings/121999/six-ppg-place-pittsburgh-pa-usa |url-status=usurped |archive-date=January 16, 2021 |website=Emporis |access-date=26 May 2020}}

One PPG Place includes the Wintergarden, an {{convert|8000|sqft|m2}} event space with vaulted glass ceilings.{{cite web |title=About the Wintergarden |url=https://www.wintergardenppg.com/about/ |website=Wintergarden at PPG Place |access-date=26 May 2020}} While the Wintergarden is part of One PPG Place, it does not sit within the 40-story tower portion of the building. Instead, it is attached to the side of the tower, facing Stanwix Street.

PPG Place is directly adjacent to Market Square, creating a large and popular public space in downtown Pittsburgh.

=PPG Place Plaza=

File:PPGPlaceIceRink.jpg

The {{convert|1|acre|m2|adj=on|spell=in}} PPG Place Plaza sits between Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue.{{cite web |title=Plaza and Water Feature at PPG Place {{!}} PPG Place |url=http://www.ppgplace.com/directory/plaza/ |website=PPG Place |access-date=26 May 2020}}{{cite web |url=http://www.ppgplace.com/plaza.shtml |title=The Plaza at PPG Place |publisher=Grubb & Ellis Management Services, Inc. |year=2008 |access-date=December 18, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080731093849/http://www.ppgplace.com/plaza.shtml |archive-date = July 31, 2008}} The plaza features a fountain with 140 water jets and uses 280 underground lights. Opened in 2003, it was designed by WET and SWA Group landscape architecture and urban design.{{cite web|url=http://www.ppgplace.com/water_feature.shtml |title=The Water Feature |publisher=Grubb & Ellis Management Services, Inc. |year=2008 |access-date=December 18, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906143929/http://www.ppgplace.com/water_feature.shtml |archive-date=September 6, 2008 }} At the center of the fountain is a pink granite obelisk.

During the winter months, the plaza is converted into an ice skating rink. The rink opened on December 10, 2001, and has become a popular seasonal attraction in downtown. A {{convert|60|ft|m|adj=on}} Christmas tree is in the center of the rink. At {{convert|13456|sqft|m2}}, the surface is over {{convert|6000|sqft|m2}} larger than the famous rink in New York's Rockefeller Center.{{cite web |url = http://www.ppgplace.com/directory/the-rink/|title = MassMutual Pittsburgh Ice Rink at PPG Place|publisher = Highwoods Properties|date = 2015|access-date = January 7, 2016}}{{cite web |url=http://www.nyctourist.com/rock_center_ice.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000301212738/http://www.nyctourist.com/rock_center_ice.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-date=March 1, 2000 |title=The Ice Rink at Rockefeller Center |work=NYC Tourist |year=2007 |access-date=December 18, 2008}}

Reception

Upon completion of the project, architectural critics and the media called PPG Place "the crown jewel in Pittsburgh's skyline," "the towering success of downtown Pittsburgh," and "one of the most ambitious, sensitive and public spirited urban developments since Rockefeller Center." In 2006, readers of the Pittsburgh City Paper voted PPG Place as the best building in Pittsburgh.

In 2005, when the vacancy rate of downtown offices was around 20%, PPG Place was between 87 and 89% full. The management company was able to attract out-of-town corporations to relocate operations to Pittsburgh. News America Marketing, a subsidiary of News Corporation, occupies {{convert|5800|sqft|m2}}. Local Kennametal Inc. rented office space, and LandAmerica Financial Group relocated several area office locations to the 12th floor of One PPG Place. Carnegie Mellon University operates alumni relations from the complex.{{cite news |url=http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_383283.html |title=PPG Place attracts tenants in slow market |work=The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review |first=Ron |last=DaParma |date=October 16, 2005 |access-date=December 19, 2008 }} {{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}