Could Pittsburgh do with a defining structure? (York, Liberty: credit, arena)

[ctoocheck]

I don't think we need a singular defining structure. We have defining natural features (3 rivers, the Point, hills and inclines), bridges (I think the 3 Sisters Bridges is perhaps the best example), and an entire skyline ensemble, all of which I think are stronger than any singular structure.

[FreightTrainRunning]

How about a steel domed arena made so that the top could open up in good weather. That would be iconic. Oh, wait.

[Katarina Witt]

I was thinking The Point is Pittsburgh's defining place.

[MathmanMathman]

Originally Posted by North Beach Person

I like this:



and this:

The problem there is that those are night shots. It should be night and day. And it needs a thing...not a skyline. I raised the same question on the Atlanta board and they offered the Atlanta skyline. Not really recognizable except to locals and it can and does change.

[MathmanMathman]

Originally Posted by ferrarisnowday

I think we have several things that fit the bill, they just don't have as much publicity as the Sydney Opera House or St. Louis Arch.

The Point and its fountain
The Cathedral of Learning
The inclines
The bridges (in particular the 3 sisters)
Grandview Ave.
Carson Street

The Point and fountain are probably the best feature, but clearly they have not really caught on as an icon. I mean, most of the time the fountain doesn't even work. It's not a culturally known recognized symbol of Pittsburgh.

Cathedral of Learning, like I said, really speaks to Pitt.

The rest of the stuff given are not really known except to locals.

Pittsburgh is not alone of course. I can't think of an icon for Atlanta, Phoenix, or Houston. Show Houston's skyline and most will say...what city is that? Chicago's best symbol I can think of is the Sears/Willis Tower. Not a particularly great icon, but it is known.

[MathmanMathman]

Originally Posted by Hopes

The tall buildings you reference are in cities that have less hilly topography so you can see for miles and miles. At the top of the triangle, you can see very far, but it's not spactacular because of the hills and the weather making visibility difficult for miles.

The USX Tower used to appear very tall because it was up on the hill by itself. It doesn't look as tall now that One Mellon and Oxford are there too. But it was our icon. It still does define our city. Even though it says UPMC on the outside, we all know in our hearts the true meaning of the building. It will always be an icon to Pittsburghers, unless we stop teaching generations our history and that would be a shame.

A lot of places have local icons. Atlanta has The Varsity. Well known to locals but not a national symbol of Atlanta. There's also Stone Mountain, a huge mountain of rock, but a lot of people don't even know of it. It's about 15 miles from the city center so people don't associate the two.

And the hills aren't really an issue. Just need something that when seen instantly pegs the spot as Pittsburgh. For St Louis, the Gateway Arch was a brilliant idea. It gives an otherwise nondescript place a cachet.

[MathmanMathman]

Originally Posted by ctoocheck

I don't think we need a singular defining structure. We have defining natural features (3 rivers, the Point, hills and inclines), bridges (I think the 3 Sisters Bridges is perhaps the best example), and an entire skyline ensemble, all of which I think are stronger than any singular structure.

They are probably the best features Pittsburgh has, but as an icon, it is not widely known. It's not seen as a single icon. That simplicity is what is needed.

[MathmanMathman]

Originally Posted by GeneW

How about a steel domed arena made so that the top could open up in good weather. That would be iconic. Oh, wait.

That also came close. But never really caught on as a symbol of Pittsburgh.

[PITairport]

Originally Posted by MathmanMathman

St Louis has its Gateway Arch and Seattle its Space Needle (Sydney its Opera House). Could Pittsburgh do with an iconic building to make it stand out more?

I think Pittsburgh lost an opportunity for some signature architecture with the Science Center and perhaps the Casino.


At least none of these monstrosities were ever built:

[MathmanMathman]

Originally Posted by Katiana

I was thinking The Point is Pittsburgh's defining place.

As I said, best candidate so far. But...hasn't caught on as a cultural icon of Pittsburgh.