View source for PPG Place

{{short description|Building complex in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox building
| name               = PPG Place
| image              = Pittsburgh-pennsylvania-ppg-place-2007.jpg
| image_size         = 250px
| caption            = 
| location           = 1 PPG Place<br />[[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$|200 million}}<br /> (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|200|1982|r=1}}}} million today)
| floor_area         = {{convert|1,499,983|sqft|abbr=on}}<ref>{{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}}</ref>
| architectural_style = [[Postmodern architecture|Postmodern]]
| architect          = [[Philip Johnson]]<br />[[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         = <ref>{{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]]}}</ref><ref>{{Glass Steel and Stone|474}}</ref><ref>{{SkyscraperPage|6696}}</ref><ref>{{Structurae|20003288}}</ref>
|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 [[Henry Hillman|The Hillman Company]] to Highwoods Properties in 2011.{{Citation needed|date=August 2022}}

==Construction==
[[File:Oneppgplace.jpg|thumb|left|The complex as seen from [[Mount Washington, Pittsburgh (mountain)|Mount Washington]].]]

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.<ref name=carnegie>{{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 }}</ref> The company contracted the project to [[architect]] [[Philip Johnson]] and his partner [[John Burgee]]. Designed in the [[Gothic Revival architecture|neogothic style]] but with modern innovations, the complex had many inspirations, including [[London]]'s [[Victoria Tower]],<ref name=glass>{{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 }}</ref> and [[Henry Hobson Richardson|H.H. Richardson's]] [[Allegheny County Courthouse]] and [[Charles Klauder]]'s [[Cathedral of Learning]] in Pittsburgh.<ref name=galinsky>{{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}}</ref>  Before the building was constructed, an 8-foot-tall, 600 pound model was made, with glass cut at the [[Ford City, Pennsylvania|Ford City]] PPG works.<ref name=martin>{{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}}</ref>

During demolition and preparation of the site, a team of [[University of Pittsburgh]] [[anthropologist]]s 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 (Pennsylvania)|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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>  The site was the home of the four-story Guskey's Department Store for much of the 20th century.<ref>{{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 &#124; Dec. 8, 2006: Ice and glass at PPG Place The |publisher=Pgdigs.tumblr.com |access-date=2016-03-25}}</ref>

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.<ref name=carnegie/>

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.<ref name=carnegie/>

Construction of the building highlighted Pittsburgh's "[[History of Pittsburgh#Reinvention (1973–present)|Renaissance II period]]", which saw the Pittsburgh [[Pittsburgh#Economy|economy]] weather [[steel mill]] closures, while Pittsburgh Plate Glass remained a [[Fortune 500]] company.<ref name=cp>{{cite news|url=https://www.pghcitypaper.com/news-2/best-pittsburgh-building-ppg-place-1334578/|title=Best Pittsburgh Building: PPG Place|last=Rosenblum|first=Charles|date=December 14, 2006|newspaper=[[Pittsburgh City Paper]]|access-date=December 18, 2008}}</ref>

Office space opened in August 1983, the retail shops opened in November 1984, and the complex was dedicated on April 11, 1984.<ref name=building>{{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 }}</ref>

==Buildings and public spaces==
[[File:PPG Place in Pittsburgh in 2016.jpg|thumb|left|PPG Place buildings surrounding the public plaza]]
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:<ref>{{cite web |title=About PPG Place |url=http://www.ppgplace.com/about/ |website=PPG Place |access-date=26 May 2020}}</ref>

{{flowlist}}
* 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}}.<ref name="ctbuh">{{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}}</ref>  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.<ref name="ctbuh" />
* 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}}.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
{{endflowlist}}

One PPG Place includes the Wintergarden, an {{convert|8000|sqft|m2}} event space with vaulted glass ceilings.<ref>{{cite web |title=About the Wintergarden |url=https://www.wintergardenppg.com/about/ |website=Wintergarden at PPG Place |access-date=26 May 2020}}</ref>  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, Pittsburgh|Market Square]], creating a large and popular public space in downtown Pittsburgh.

{{clear left}}

===PPG Place Plaza===
[[File:PPGPlaceIceRink.jpg|thumb|The Rink at PPG Place]]
The {{convert|1|acre|m2|adj=on|spell=in}} PPG Place Plaza sits between Third Avenue and [[Fourth Avenue (Pittsburgh)|Fourth Avenue]].<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = July 31, 2008}}</ref> The plaza features a [[fountain#Animated fountain|fountain]] with 140 water jets and uses 280 underground lights. Opened in 2003, it was designed by [[WET (Water Entertainment Technologies)|WET]] and SWA Group landscape architecture and urban design.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> 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 City|New York's]] [[Rockefeller Center]].<ref>{{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|archive-date = September 14, 2024|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240914230956/https://www.ppgplace.com/directory/the-rink/|url-status = dead}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>

==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]]."<ref name=carnegie/> In 2006, readers of the ''[[Pittsburgh City Paper]]'' voted PPG Place as the best building in Pittsburgh.<ref name=cp/>

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 (1980–2013)|News Corporation]], occupies {{convert|5800|sqft|m2}}. Local [[Kennametal|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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of tallest buildings in Pittsburgh]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*[[Franklin Toker]], <u>Buildings of Pittsburgh</u>, Society of Architectural Historians, Chicago, Center for American Places, Santa Fe, University of Virginia Press, Charlottesville, 2007. {{ISBN|0-8139-2650-5}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [http://www.ppgplace.com/ www.ppgplace.com]

{{s-start}}
{{succession box
| before=[[Fifth Avenue Place (Pittsburgh)|Fifth Avenue Place]]
| title=[[Pittsburgh Skyscrapers by Height]]
| years=635 feet (194 m) <br />40 floors
| after=[[BNY Mellon Center (Pittsburgh)|BNY Mellon Center]]
}}
{{succession box
| before=[[Oxford Centre]]
| title=[[Pittsburgh Skyscrapers by Year of Completion]]
| years=1984
| after=[[EQT Plaza]]
}}
{{s-end}}
{{PPG Industries}}
{{Pittsburgh}}

[[Category:Downtown Pittsburgh]]
[[Category:Skyscraper office buildings in Pittsburgh]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Pittsburgh]]
[[Category:Philip Johnson buildings]]
[[Category:John Burgee buildings]]
[[Category:Postmodern architecture in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Modernist architecture in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Gothic Revival skyscrapers]]
[[Category:Squares in the United States]]
[[Category:Urban public parks]]
[[Category:Office buildings completed in 1984]]
[[Category:1984 establishments in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Headquarters in the United States]]
[[Category:Gothic Revival architecture in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:PPG Industries]]