This Art Deco apartment block was built in 1928 or shortly after.(1) At first glance it looks like a simple rectangular modernist box, but a second glance reveals some rich decorative details.
The building is on Centre Avenue, which is a neighborhood border on city planning maps; thus it is technically in Bloomfield, but most Pittsburghers would probably say Shadyside.
Addendum: The architects were Marks & Kann, according to the Charette, the magazine of the Pittsburgh Architectural Club.(2)
Footnotes
- The January 26, 1928, issue of Iron Trade Review mentions that bids are in for this building and an “early award expected.” (↩)
- Source: The Charette, January, 1928: “409. Architect: Marks & Kann, Home Trust Building, Pittsburgh, Pa. Owner: Ambassador Corporation. Title: Apartment Building and Garage. Location: 4733 Center Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. Ready for bids about January 12. Approximate size: 100′ x 104’6″—eight stories and basement, 74 suites; 666,000 cu. ft. Garage 62 cars—130,000 cu. ft. Brick and stone construction. Bar joist or Junior I Beam and slab.” (↩)
