Doors Open Pittsburgh continues…
David Lawrence Convention Center – David Lawrence was one of Pittsburgh’s greatest mayors, leading the ‘Renaissance’ era in the 1950s. He has been honored by having the convention center named after him.
The convention center is built along the Allegheny River at the edge of downtown.
It features a couple of gardens in an urban space.
For Doors Open Pittsburgh the highlight was being able to go on the roof.
The building is interesting but the views from the roof are great.
Troy Hill
A telescope with style.
The north side of Pittsburgh is very hilly, hence the hodgepodge of buildings in no uniform order.
A railroad bridge across the Allegheny River.
Detail on the 16th Street Bridge.
In Pittsburgh you can have a bridge any color you like as long as it is yellow.
A different angle view of Gateway Center and Mt Washington.
The Gulf Building – Sadly it was not open for DOP.
The Pennsylvanian – one more look.
Benedum Center – The Benedum Center opened in 1927 as the Stanley Theater, which name remained on it until the 1980s. Many rock concerts were held in this classic theater (Bob Marley played his last show here), although by the 1970s numerous modifications had taken away much of it’s classic look.
That all changed in the 1980s, with a $43 million dollar restoration that returned it to its original look, complete with opulent lobbies.
The theater seats 2,800 people in elegance.
Today it is used primarily for the opera.
The highlights however are the spectacular lighting, especially the main chandelier.
The additional lighting would be the centerpieces elsewhere, but here they are secondary to the main chandelier.
Byham Theater – The Byham is a great old theater, opened in 1903 as a vaudeville house. Had we not just been to the Benedum Center, it would’ve seemed more impressive.
Our final stop – what an amazing weekend in Pittsburgh thanks to Bonnie and her fantastic volunteers, and the buildings who were willing to welcome visitors.
First Presbyterian Church – This church was completed in 1853, replacing another building that had been built on this spot in 1805.
Downtown Pittsburgh has many impressive churches, and First Presbyterian is second to none.
Another great pipe organ.
The most impressive feature (to me) are the massive doors at one end.
Although many would say the most impressive feature are the massive Tiffany stained glass windows.
RDZ Photography 