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Alumni Hall (University of Pittsburgh)
Encyclopedia
Alumni Hall at the University of Pittsburgh
is a Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation
Historic Landmark http://www.flickr.com/photos/arejay/879959859/in/pool-phlf/ that was formerly known as the Masonic Temple in Pittsburgh. Constructed in 1914-1915, it was designed by renowned architect Benno Janssen
of Janssen & Abbot Architects. Other buildings in Pittsburgh’s Oakland
Cultural District designed by Janssen include the Pittsburgh Athletic Association
, Mellon Institute, and Pitt’s Eberly Hall
(which was known as Alumni Hall prior to 1998).
The building’s design is that of a classical temple with a well-defined base, midsection and ornamental terra cotta pediment, topped with a clay tile roof. The structure is steel, clad primarily in limestone with terra cotta details. The rear elevation is brick.
on Pitt’s campus and runs 120 feet (36.6 m) deep. It is nine stories high with two-story spaces throughout, has 98000 square feet (9,104.5 m²) of functional space as well as an additional 12000 square feet (1,114.8 m²) accommodating entrances, corridors, stairwells, and elevators. There are three main entrances on Fifth, Lytton, and Tennyson Avenues.
acquired the former Masonic Temple on December 23, 1993 for $8.5 million ($ in dollars). A two-year, $16 million ($ in dollars) renovation of the structure and its adaptation for use by the University departments began in November 1998 and was completed in February 2000. During the initial design process, a study was performed to evaluate the architectural and historic significance of each major area of the building. As a result, four main lobbies, the ballroom and three main entrances, and portions of several two-story spaces on the third and fifth floors were kept and restored. Special attention was given to restore the Masonic Temple’s original historic condition. As such, approximately 95% of the existing historical light fixtures were rewired, retrofitted with energy–efficient lamps, refinished, and rehung in their original locations. Nearly all of the original wood doors, window casings and baseboards were refinished and reinstalled. Five new automatic elevators were installed and original bronze and stainless steel cabs were retrofitted to two of the new elevator platforms. Approximately 100 original bronze door hardware sets were modified to ADA
compliance, refinished and reinstalled. One thousand square feet of marble flooring originally from Pennsylvania Hall (the previous home of Pitt’s medical school since torn down) was utilized in vestibules, corridors, elevator lobbies and cabs. Marble from the Masonic Temple’s original marble restroom stalls was also recycled for use in these areas. The building was decorated and furnished in a color scheme of primarily blues, mauves and burgundy to complement the mahogany woodwork.
Renovations included replacement of the building’s electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems and the addition of air conditioning. A wheelchair-accessible entrance was added at Tennyson Avenue and the entire building was brought up to ADA
guidelines. Modern emergency fire and electrical systems were added as well as conduits for wiring installations for data and power for 380 of the building’s classroom seats.
, Alumni Hall now houses Pitt’s Alumni Relations offices and Alumni Center, the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid, the headquarters of the Pitt Pathfinders, a 270-seat Natural Science Lecture Hall, the Office of Governmental Relations, the Institute of Politics, the Center for Instructional Development and Distance Education, and the University of Pittsburgh Katz School of Business’s
Mellon Financial Corporation Hall that houses the Center for Executive Education. The lobby of Alumni Hall is also the home to Pitt’s Legacy Gallery. On the first floor, Alumni Hall also features the Connolly Ballroom that seats 400 for dinner or 500 theater-style. The ballroom balcony contains a portrait gallery of former Pitt chancellors. The seventh floor auditorium lobby/reception area houses the collection of oil paintings, “365 Views of the Cathedral of Learning
,” completed in 1997-1999 by renowned Spanish artist Felix de la Concha
. Each painting features the Cathedral of Learning
from a different vantage point for each of 365 days.http://mac10.umc.pitt.edu/u/FMPro?-db=ustory&-lay=a&-format=d.html&storyid=4242&-Find The auditorium on the seventh floor serves as the primary venue for the Kuntu Repertory Theatre
. The building also contains various study areas.
tells of an ghost resembling a distinguished-looking gentleman dressed in a black tuxedo, perhaps an old, lost Mason
, that sometimes appears to wandering the corridors and stairwells of the building.
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
is a Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation
Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation
The Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in 1964 to support the preservation of historic buildings and neighborhoods in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA....
Historic Landmark http://www.flickr.com/photos/arejay/879959859/in/pool-phlf/ that was formerly known as the Masonic Temple in Pittsburgh. Constructed in 1914-1915, it was designed by renowned architect Benno Janssen
Benno Janssen
Benno Janssen was an American architect.-Childhood, Education and Career:Benno Janssen was born in St. Louis, Missouri, the son of Oscar Janssen and Thekla Susenbeth. Janssen studied at the University of Kansas. In 1899, he began working in architecture in Boston, Massachusetts. He also continued...
of Janssen & Abbot Architects. Other buildings in Pittsburgh’s Oakland
Oakland (Pittsburgh)
Oakland is the academic, cultural, and healthcare center of Pittsburgh and is Pennsylvania's third largest "Downtown". Only Center City Philadelphia and Downtown Pittsburgh can claim more economic and social activity than Oakland...
Cultural District designed by Janssen include the Pittsburgh Athletic Association
Pittsburgh Athletic Association
The Pittsburgh Athletic Association is a private social club and athletic club in in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Its clubhouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places....
, Mellon Institute, and Pitt’s Eberly Hall
Eberly Hall
Eberly Hall is an academic building on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Designed by architect Benno Janssen and dedicated in 1921, Eberly Hall was originally named Alumni Hall, and is still sometimes referred to as "Old Alumni Hall"...
(which was known as Alumni Hall prior to 1998).
The building’s design is that of a classical temple with a well-defined base, midsection and ornamental terra cotta pediment, topped with a clay tile roof. The structure is steel, clad primarily in limestone with terra cotta details. The rear elevation is brick.
Dimensions
Alumni Hall spans 200 feet (61 m) along Fifth AvenueFifth Avenue (Pittsburgh)
Fifth Avenue is one of the longest streets in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. It begins downtown and moves eastward for about seven or eight miles...
on Pitt’s campus and runs 120 feet (36.6 m) deep. It is nine stories high with two-story spaces throughout, has 98000 square feet (9,104.5 m²) of functional space as well as an additional 12000 square feet (1,114.8 m²) accommodating entrances, corridors, stairwells, and elevators. There are three main entrances on Fifth, Lytton, and Tennyson Avenues.
Restoration and Renovation
The University of PittsburghUniversity of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
acquired the former Masonic Temple on December 23, 1993 for $8.5 million ($ in dollars). A two-year, $16 million ($ in dollars) renovation of the structure and its adaptation for use by the University departments began in November 1998 and was completed in February 2000. During the initial design process, a study was performed to evaluate the architectural and historic significance of each major area of the building. As a result, four main lobbies, the ballroom and three main entrances, and portions of several two-story spaces on the third and fifth floors were kept and restored. Special attention was given to restore the Masonic Temple’s original historic condition. As such, approximately 95% of the existing historical light fixtures were rewired, retrofitted with energy–efficient lamps, refinished, and rehung in their original locations. Nearly all of the original wood doors, window casings and baseboards were refinished and reinstalled. Five new automatic elevators were installed and original bronze and stainless steel cabs were retrofitted to two of the new elevator platforms. Approximately 100 original bronze door hardware sets were modified to ADA
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 is a law that was enacted by the U.S. Congress in 1990. It was signed into law on July 26, 1990, by President George H. W. Bush, and later amended with changes effective January 1, 2009....
compliance, refinished and reinstalled. One thousand square feet of marble flooring originally from Pennsylvania Hall (the previous home of Pitt’s medical school since torn down) was utilized in vestibules, corridors, elevator lobbies and cabs. Marble from the Masonic Temple’s original marble restroom stalls was also recycled for use in these areas. The building was decorated and furnished in a color scheme of primarily blues, mauves and burgundy to complement the mahogany woodwork.
Renovations included replacement of the building’s electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems and the addition of air conditioning. A wheelchair-accessible entrance was added at Tennyson Avenue and the entire building was brought up to ADA
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 is a law that was enacted by the U.S. Congress in 1990. It was signed into law on July 26, 1990, by President George H. W. Bush, and later amended with changes effective January 1, 2009....
guidelines. Modern emergency fire and electrical systems were added as well as conduits for wiring installations for data and power for 380 of the building’s classroom seats.
Uses of Alumni Hall
Originally an event center and meeting facility for area MasonsFreemasonry
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge...
, Alumni Hall now houses Pitt’s Alumni Relations offices and Alumni Center, the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid, the headquarters of the Pitt Pathfinders, a 270-seat Natural Science Lecture Hall, the Office of Governmental Relations, the Institute of Politics, the Center for Instructional Development and Distance Education, and the University of Pittsburgh Katz School of Business’s
Joseph M. Katz School of Business
The Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business is the business school of the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, and ranks among one of the top business schools in the United States. The school enrolls approximately 200 full-time MBA students, 400 part-time students, and 70...
Mellon Financial Corporation Hall that houses the Center for Executive Education. The lobby of Alumni Hall is also the home to Pitt’s Legacy Gallery. On the first floor, Alumni Hall also features the Connolly Ballroom that seats 400 for dinner or 500 theater-style. The ballroom balcony contains a portrait gallery of former Pitt chancellors. The seventh floor auditorium lobby/reception area houses the collection of oil paintings, “365 Views of the Cathedral of Learning
Cathedral of Learning
The Cathedral of Learning, a Pittsburgh landmark listed in the National Register of Historic Places, is the centerpiece of the University of Pittsburgh's main campus in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States...
,” completed in 1997-1999 by renowned Spanish artist Felix de la Concha
Felix de la Concha
Félix de la Concha is a painter. Born in León, Spain, he resides in Iowa City and Madrid with his wife, poet Ana Merino.In 1985 he was selected to participate in the Primera Muestra de Arte Joven where his work was awarded...
. Each painting features the Cathedral of Learning
Cathedral of Learning
The Cathedral of Learning, a Pittsburgh landmark listed in the National Register of Historic Places, is the centerpiece of the University of Pittsburgh's main campus in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States...
from a different vantage point for each of 365 days.http://mac10.umc.pitt.edu/u/FMPro?-db=ustory&-lay=a&-format=d.html&storyid=4242&-Find The auditorium on the seventh floor serves as the primary venue for the Kuntu Repertory Theatre
Kuntu Repertory Theatre
Kuntu Repertory Theatre is an African-American repertory theatre based at the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States.Dr. Vernell A. Lillie founded it in 1975 as a way of showcasing the playwright Rob Penny...
. The building also contains various study areas.
Ghost legend
A legend dating to the building's use as a Masonic templeMasonic Lodge
This article is about the Masonic term for a membership group. For buildings named Masonic Lodge, see Masonic Lodge A Masonic Lodge, often termed a Private Lodge or Constituent Lodge, is the basic organisation of Freemasonry...
tells of an ghost resembling a distinguished-looking gentleman dressed in a black tuxedo, perhaps an old, lost Mason
Freemasonry
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge...
, that sometimes appears to wandering the corridors and stairwells of the building.