As part of DOORS OPEN Pittsburgh, an annual two-day event that provides unprecedented access to buildings around the city, we are featuring 20 of the many buildings participating.
Today’s building is the EQT Plaza.
A Brief History of the EQT Plaza
EQT Plaza was formerly known as the CNG Tower and then the Dominion Tower. The skyscraper was built for Consolidated Natural Gas, an energy company in the area. About 20 years ago, CNG was bought by Dominion Energy, which moved out of EQT Plaza in 2007. Two years later, the EQT Corporation moved its corporate headquarters into the building.
EQT Plaza was supposed to be the global headquarters of Allegheny International (better known as the company Sunbeam). Sunbeam used to be the world’s biggest maker of small appliances—chances are mom, dad or a grandparent has an appliance by the brand.
The 32-floor building was finished in 1987. It too is inspired by Art Deco buildings like the Gulf Tower, Koppers Tower and Grant Building. The building was owned between 2005-2010 by real estate firm Blackstone Group. They bought EQT after the bankruptcy of its former owners and got the occupancy up to almost 100%. Almost a decade ago, they told the building to Pearson Realty Services and in 2012, EQT Plaza was obtained by Highwoods Properties, who also owns PPG Place.
For tickets to this outstanding event, you can visit Doors Open Pittsburgh here.
Buildings already featured here on Pittsburgh Beautiful:
Boggs Manion : The Inn on the Mexican War Streets
David L. Lawrence Convention Center
Speakeasy at the Omni William Penn
