Though
not as flashy as the PPG building, Fifth Avenue Place's
unique design and spire make it one of the icons of
the Pittsburgh skyline. Rising from the central business
district, the 31-story tower's most prominent feature
is a 178-foot tall white mast that is flanked by two
wide expanses of granite. The effect is sort of like
someone's hands in prayer, or perhaps holding a sword
to the sky. The spire appears round, but is actually
a 12-sided tube. It is designed to sway up to three
feet in strong winds. The four triangles actually
hide the mechanics necessary for running the skyscraper.
More importantly, the unique roof design allows the
building to meet height restrictions while still making
its presence known. The tower has a clean, modern
look, while sitting on a piece of history. The first
and second floors house a shopping mall. This is an
appropriate homage to the structure that formerly
occupied this space: The Jenkins Arcade, which was
the city's first mall.
-
Fifth Avenue Place is clad in two kinds of granite:
Spanish Pink from Porrino, Spain; and Taivassalo
from Finland.
- Fifth
Avenue Place is illuminated by 64 floodlights at
night.
