Planning Commission recommends 412 Boulevard of the Allies for historic designation

Pittsburgh’s Planning Commission on Tuesday unanimously recommended 412 Boulevard of the Allies for historic designation.

Construction on the building was completed in 1927, according to the historic nomination.

The site originally housed a hospital, then a pharmaceutical research, manufacturing and sales company, said Sarah Quinn with Pittsburgh’s Department of City Planning. Later, the Art Institute of Pittsburgh was located in the building.

The building is co-owned by the city, the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh and the Urban Redevelopment Authority. All three will utilize office spaces in the building after renovations there are completed, Quinn said, and the URA already has moved into its space at the site.

The city bought the Downtown building so it could relocate several offices and services from the John P. Robin Civic Center at 200 Ross St., which is more than a century old.

“Architecturally, this building is a great example of an early skyscraper even though it’s only nine stories tall,” Quinn said.

The structure is a recognizable landmark along Boulevard of the Allies, she said, “because of its grandeur.”

“It’s definitely an eye-­catching, unique building,” she said.

The building was designed by Joseph Kuntz, who also designed Hunt Armory on Emerson Street in Shadyside. The Hunt Armory last year was converted to a public ice skating rink.

The Historic Review Commission already had recommended the building for historic designation.

The Planning Commission followed suit Tuesday, unanimously voting to recommend the building for the designation. Commissioners Jennifer Askey, Christine Mondor and Dina Blackwell were not present for the vote.

The recommendation now moves to Pittsburgh City Council.