|
|
Of all Pittsburgh's architects, Osterling was the most flamboyant.
His Union Trust Building was built with Frick money and designed to be
the most sumptuous shopping arcade in the world. The churchlike structures
on the roof have spawned rumors of secret chapels, but actually they just
hide mundane mechanical necessities like elevator motors.
If the exterior of the union Trust Building is flamboyant, the interior
is simply breathtaking. The central rotunda is my favoite place to bring
first-time visitors to Pittsburgh.
The Iroquois Building in Oakland shows Osterling's love of unusual
detail. As with every great architect's work, his buildings give you something
to look at from any distance.