The Grant Building: A Historical Marvel in Pittsburgh’s Skyline
The Grant Building, named after James Grant, a British soldier who led a failed battle against the French at Fort Duquesne, still stands tall as one of the most significant landmarks of Pittsburgh. It’s a symbol of the city’s transformation and a testament to its past. This monumental structure has been a cornerstone of the city skyline since the late 1920s. From its flashing Morse code beacon to its rich history, the Grant Building is more than just a towering edifice.
A New Skyline For Pittsburgh
In the late 1920s and early 1930s, Pittsburgh witnessed a drastic change in its skyline with the construction of the Koppers Tower, Gulf Tower, and the Grant Building. Designed by architects Henry Hornbostel and Eric Fisher Wood, the 485-foot-tall Grant Building became the tallest building in Pittsburgh in 1929. It held this title until the completion of the Gulf Building in 1932.
Grant Building: The Construction
The construction of the Grant Building, a U-shaped structure, took three years. It was built to be a modern office building, a beacon of the city’s growing professional population.
Architectural Splendor
The Art Deco movement experienced a peak in popularity during the 1920s and 1930s, with many historians noting the start of World War II as its demise. In the short span of two decades, Art Deco had a great influence on architecture, with many American cities bearing evidence of this due to the development boom that occurred at the time. Art Deco shifted away from the traditional historicism of Beux-Arts and Neo-Gothic buildings, embracing modernity and the machine age instead. This meant favoring simple and powerful designs comprised of geometric shapes, neat lines, and symmetrical patterns. Ornaments still featured prominently in the design, yet they were more daring and lavish than before, often inspired by ancient civilizations or industrial images, as opposed to nature.
Belgian and Swedish granite, limestone, buff brick, and cast stone were used in the construction of the Grant Building, with terra-cotta ornamentation being a key feature of its Beaux-Arts architectural design. The lower floors are wrapped in granite, and the upper floors are constructed with limestone, buff brick, and cast stone.
Amenities and Features
The Grant Building offered its tenants numerous amenities. Its proximity to the Allegheny County Court House and the City County Building made it an ideal location for lawyers and other professionals. It also featured a walking tunnel, allowing tenants to reach their appointments without having to deal with inclement weather or polluted air. Perhaps the most unique feature was the shower facilities on every floor, a luxury in the 1920s.
Historical Tenants
The tenants of the Grant Building in its early days were primarily law firms, corporate headquarters, and other professional services. This is a reflection of the city’s development and the building’s purpose as a modern office space.
The Morse Code Beacon
The Grant Building is famous for its Morse code beacon that flashes the word P-I-T-T-S-B-U-R-G-H. The beacon, visible up to 75 miles away, served as a guide for pilots and a symbol of the city’s identity.
Code: .–. .. – – … -… ..- .-. –. …. (PITTSBURGH in Morse Code)
KDKA: The Pioneer Radio Station
The Grant Building was also the home of KDKA, the first American radio station to broadcast regularly scheduled programs. The radio station used the building’s antenna for its broadcasts, further enhancing the building’s historical significance.
Significant Changes
The Grant Building and the city of Pittsburgh have seen many changes since the 1920s. From being a soot-filled city to becoming one of the most improved cities globally, Pittsburgh’s transformation is mirrored in the Grant Building’s evolution. The building, undergoing several updates, now boasts a post-modern design.
Grant Street: The Hub
Grant Street, the street on which the Grant Building is located, has been the center of Pittsburgh’s corporate and governmental operations. This fact further underlines the building’s significance in the city’s development and history.
Today, the Grant Building continues to serve as a modern office space for the city’s professionals. Even though its subterranean tunnels and floor showers are forgotten relics of the past, the Morse code beacon continues to flash the city’s name, reminding everyone of the building’s historical significance.
The Grant Building is not just a structure of brick and mortar. It’s a symbol of Pittsburgh’s past, present, and future. Its beacon, flashing the city’s name in Morse code, serves as a constant reminder of the city’s resilience and its journey through time.
