While PNC Bank readies the foundation for the world’s greenest skyscraper, they’re quietly opening another structure, the Lantern Building, as a tribute to the region’s banking history.
The new 800-square-foot facility, located at 600 Liberty Avenue, is part of the P
NC Legacy Project, a program designed to honor, document and preserve the history of banks that PNC has acquired.
The exhibit is free to the public, and features interactive multimedia displays that highlight the city’s culture, commerce and community.
Within the exhibit a touchscreen timeline chronicles Pittsburgh’s history from the late 19
th century, and features a listening experience using
oral histories collected from prominent community leaders, from the Zambelli Brothers to Carol Brown, former executive director of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.
David O’Neil, an oral historian and the founder of Story Trust, produced the stories that tell of the city’s numerous transformations. Mary Beth Corrigan, an archivist and curator who has curated other PNC Legacy Projects, oversaw the development of the exhibit.
The Innovation Wall, also part of the exhibit, recognizes 230 organizations that have recieved PNC support.
The building, redesigned by Pittsburgh-based EDGE studio, makes use of an existing storefront, but the former Liberty Travel structure is hardly recognizable. Gone are the billboards that had once adorned the façade. A revolving door, green and grey zinc panels, and channel glass bring the space in line with PNC’s other nearby properties.
The Lantern Building sits adjacent to the Fairmont Hotel, and its sleek modern materials complement the towering glass structure.
And while it might not be as large as the planned green tower on Wood Street, the new Lantern Building does feature a green roof that’s used to naturally cool the building and lowering energy consumption, as well as address storm water management.
The building will not be used for any banking operations, however, its second floor will be used as a meeting space.
In addition to Pittsburgh, Legacy exhibits exist in Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Cleveland, Fredericksburg and Annapolis.
The Legacy exhibit will be open to the public on Thursday, August 2
nd.
Writer: Andrew Moore
Source: Emily Krull, PNC Bank; EDGE studio