PNC has completed the creation of two of Downtown's newest green spaces--PNC Triangle Park and a living wall, which is the largest in North America.
The 8,000-square-foot Triangle Park, designed by South Side-based LaQuatra Bonci Associates, is located at Liberty and Fifth Avenues adjacent to the new Three PNC Plaza. The pet-friendly park includes bench seating as well as a new bus shelter.
The living wall, located one block from the park, is not only the largest on the continent--it is also the largest soil-based living wall in the world (bigger walls are hydroponic). The 2,380-square-foot vertical garden stretches six stories tall on the south-facing side of One PNC Plaza. The wall reduces traffic noise, impacts stormwater runoff, purifies the air and is visually appealing, says Gary Saulson with PNC. A street-level, 2-by-2-foot green wall educates passersby about the larger, overhead installation.
The wall is a product of Green Living Technologies of Rochester, N.Y. and designed by Mingo Design of New York. PNC acquired all hardware, plants, materials and installers within a 500 mile radius of Pittsburgh.
"Having the largest living wall in North America is another thing that puts the city of Pittsburgh on the map," says Saulson. "Visitors who are expecting a dirty, smoky city are instead going to be surprised by Pittsburgh's beauty and innovation."
PNC has 66 LEED-certified buildings, more than any other company in the world. The company is nearing completion of the 750,000-square-foot, 23-story Three PNC Plaza, which is expected to be one of the nation's largest green mixed-use buildings. It will house the offices of PNC and law firm Reed Smith, as well as a LEED-certified Fairmont Hotel, luxury condominiums, retail space and an underground parking garage.
Writer: Caralyn Green
Source: Gary Saulson, director of corporate real estate, PNC
Photograph copyright Brian Cohen