University of Pittsburgh Cathedral of Learning, and a view from the 36th floor

[lovelplants]

cool view...

[TheInternetIsMagic]

Did you know this building had to be sandblasted after the industrial era in Pittsburgh? The building became so dirty from the soot that the factories released into the air, the building became dark and discolored. There is a piece of the building that they have not sandblasted for historical purposes. It is quite interesting. If you are ever in the area, go one and take a look. Also, it is free to go up to the top floor. Just remember to be quiet as there are classes in session.

[patricknedz]

@TheInternetIsMagic yes there was a documentary of this building where they showed them cleaning the building with sandblasters, and stuff, there are pictures of what it used to look like, it was so dirty back then. I would imagine what it would be like it live in pittsburgh when they had all the steel factories in operation.

[patricknedz]

@TheInternetIsMagic I have also been told it was supposed to be 52 stories, but in the great depression they had to make it shorter because of funding.

[mmonicque]

Are the stairs wood?

[patricknedz]

@mmonicque they are iron and stone

[mmonicque]

@patricknedz Okay, I thought at first the stairs were made of that.

[patricknedz]

@mmonicque the stairs on the top floor are iron and marble

[mmonicque]

@patricknedz I was talking about the stairs on the top floor, sorry I didn’t say what stairs.

[FranceHopper]

Wow. The craftsmanship in there completely blows Drexel's Main Building out of the water. It's not nearly as tall either (although we do have about four 4th floors due to additions).

[patricknedz]

@FranceHopper yeah its truly amazing building

[georgef551]

Uhh, Marriott Marquis in NYC is 574 feet, making it taller than this building.

The Atlanta one is 544 feet.

[patricknedz]

@georgef551 then thats why we shouldnt use wikipeadia, it is wrong sometimes, it said it was 400 something, this building is still amazing and more that just an otis series one elevonic, I do know this building is 100% open to the public and is free. and the elevator buttons have become rare, as most buildings with these buttons have been modernized, I dont know of any still remaining but there may be some. I dont know of another skyscraper as gothic of this covered in stone

[georgef551]

@patricknedz

Actually, at least the NYC fact came from non Wiki sources (miultiple). 574 feet is indeed accurate.

[patricknedz]

@georgef551 I only looked up the atlanta one, I know the hotel floors are much more compact and close together then this building and office buildings, I dont know why hotels do that, of course the easiest way to tell is the amount of stairs between floors, I have been in hotels and the amount of stairs is pretty short, at least the ones I been to

[georgef551]

@patricknedz

It's true, the floors are less tall, because it's residential construction, and they don't need to heat up wasted space, so most hotels, for residential floors, are 9 feet apart (8 for actual floor to ceiling, the other foot for mechanicals and steel framing).

BTW: I was right: There's a crappy YT vid of a guy running the 86 flights of the ESB. Neither of us will top him. :)

[srojtas96]

i see my old school on the back window! the one with the stone and red siding haha :D on top of the hill

[sarahedwards2]

Why no 39?

[patricknedz]

@sarahedwards2 there is a 39th floor but the elevator doesnt go to it, and the stairs are locked because its only mechanical on 39 and 40 was a private floor, 41 and 42 are mechanical