Will there ever be a building taller then the Steel Building in Pittsburgh? (Philadelphia: lease, house)

[_Buster]

Originally Posted by Gee Whiz

That is true. Coming south on Route 28, the US Steel Building looks like a massive free standing monolith from certain points. It is not until you start crossing the Veterans Bridge or pass underneath it that the skyline opens up. The height of the Steel Building/UPMC Tower is great for the skyline from view points north and west, but from points east, be it northeast or southeast, it does look awkward. Indeed a couple in the 20-30 range will help give it more balance. Also, the old Mellon Arena site sits on high ground. So a building of 300 feet may actually look 350 feet when compared to the office towers in the lower triangle around Wood Street and Gateway Center. As an aside, anybody living in Crawford Square or the Lower Hill who complains about proposed buildings being "too tall" and will "block their view" will sound rather silly. You can't block the forest with trees. Tenants living there will be the beneficiary of a nice new neighborhood. If you are not happy, someone will gladly take your place.

If a taller one ever was built, I think the best location for balance in the skyline might be the parking lots near the Oxford center.

[wpipkins2]

Originally Posted by _Buster

If a taller one ever was built, I think the best location for balance in the skyline might be the parking lots near the Oxford center.

Or the civic arena site. A slender 600' tower with a spire would be cool.

[PITairport]

Originally Posted by Gnutella

I don't think Pittsburgh will ever have one taller than the U.S. Steel Tower. It's not really important to have a taller one anyway. What's more important is that a couple of 20- to 30-story skyscrapers get built east of Grant Street so the skyline doesn't look so awkward from the east and northeast.

Originally Posted by Gee Whiz

That is true. Coming south on Route 28, the US Steel Building looks like a massive free standing monolith from certain points. It is not until you start crossing the Veterans Bridge or pass underneath it that the skyline opens up. The height of the Steel Building/UPMC Tower is great for the skyline from view points north and west, but from points east, be it northeast or southeast, it does look awkward. Indeed a couple in the 20-30 range will help give it more balance. Also, the old Mellon Arena site sits on high ground. So a building of 300 feet may actually look 350 feet when compared to the office towers in the lower triangle around Wood Street and Gateway Center.

I really gotta disagree here. The shape and proportions of Pittsburgh's skyline is what makes it so much more attractive and dramatic than cities such as Indianapolis and Denver.

Look at some of the great skylines of the world... Hong Kong, Chicago, Singapore, etc. The tallest signature skyscrapers in these cities are not in the middle of downtown, but on or near the edge where they stand out even more.





I love that Pittsburgh's skyline has a "front" and a "back", and I love coming around the Hazlewood bend on the Parkway East inbound and seeing that wall of Pittsburgh's tallest buildings. It projects an image of a strong city. Why marginalize that with 20-30 story Buncher style garbage?

If Pittsburgh ever gets a super tall, I think the best place would be on the northeast side of downtown to the outside of the USX Tower so as to continue and increase that theme. Oxford's parking lot wouldn't be bad either though.

Originally Posted by Summersm343

Exactly. That's my point. I have no doubt there are plenty of firms looking, but no company large enough like a comcast or pnc willing to fill a large amount of office space in Pittsburgh. 1,000 footers are 1mill+ in office space.

Up to 1 million sq ft is exactly what USS was looking for before they postponed their new HQ search:


"U.S. Steel reportedly is weighing a traditional Downtown office setting against a campus-like setting, one that the land in the Strip or in Findlay could accommodate. It is said to be looking for 800,000 to 1 million square feet of space, enough not only for the 1,800 employees in U.S. Steel Tower but also for workers now at other locations in the region."
Strip, Findlay considered for U.S. Steel headquarters - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

[MathmanMathman]

For some reason, Comcast is building a super tall.

Comcast Announces Plans To Build Philadelphia’s Tallest Skyscraper « CBS Philly

With a hotel on top. Seems like Pittsburgh would offer better views at the top. Somehow Comcast thinks its building will promote collaboration.

[guy2073]

Can you imagin staying at the comcast hotel. You start out paying 98 dollars for the night then at 2 am they double the price.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth...ce_(Pittsburgh) there is an interesting. Part at the end talking about how the city limited the heigth of the building so it kept the skyline intact

[RightonWalnut]

Originally Posted by MathmanMathman

For some reason, Comcast is building a super tall.

Comcast Announces Plans To Build Philadelphia’s Tallest Skyscraper « CBS Philly

With a hotel on top. Seems like Pittsburgh would offer better views at the top. Somehow Comcast thinks its building will promote collaboration.

I'm a little confused what you mean by "for some reason?"

Comcast is exactly the type of company to fill a supertall. They are one of the largest media companies in the world and quickly becoming one of the largest tech companies as well. They already fill 80% of a 975 foot tower and desperately need the space. It has nothing to do about a view up top, it has everything to do with demand. Philly has the demand for skyscrapers/highrises right now which is why there are about 30 or more going up.

[wpipkins2]

Originally Posted by Summersm343

I'm a little confused what you mean by "for some reason?"

Comcast is exactly the type of company to fill a supertall. They are one of the largest media companies in the world and quickly becoming one of the largest tech companies as well. They already fill 80% of a 975 foot tower and desperately need the space. It has nothing to do about a view up top, it has everything to do with demand. Philly has the demand for skyscrapers/highrises right now which is why there are about 30 or more going up.

Nevermind the haters. I'm excited about this project. Philadelphia will have one of the best skylines in the US. This tower along with the infill projects will greatly improve the inner core

[speagles84]

Originally Posted by Summersm343

I'm a little confused what you mean by "for some reason?"

Comcast is exactly the type of company to fill a supertall. They are one of the largest media companies in the world and quickly becoming one of the largest tech companies as well. They already fill 80% of a 975 foot tower and desperately need the space. It has nothing to do about a view up top, it has everything to do with demand. Philly has the demand for skyscrapers/highrises right now which is why there are about 30 or more going up.

Cuz it isn't in Atlanta

[Herodotus]

Originally Posted by wpipkins2

Nevermind the haters. I'm excited about this project. Philadelphia will have one of the best skylines in the US. This tower along with the infill projects will greatly improve the inner core

I remember going to Philly in the 80's, and thinking how pitiful the skyline was for such a big city. They've come a long way since scrapping the "Gentleman's Agreement", not to have anything above Billy Penn's hat.

[_Buster]

Originally Posted by guy2073

Can you imagin staying at the comcast hotel. You start out paying 98 dollars for the night then at 2 am they double the price.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth...ce_(Pittsburgh) there is an interesting. Part at the end talking about how the city limited the heigth of the building so it kept the skyline intact

Your room service meal will arrive promptly between 10 and 2.