In the 1890s the City Beautiful urban planning philosophy emerged in the U.S. in response to the squalor and physical chaos caused by very rapid industrial and urban growth in the late 19th century. The movement’s goal was to beautify, introduce physical order, and bring monumental grandeur into the urban mess, to improve the physical, emotional, and moral health of cities’ residents. Oakland was the Pittsburgh neighborhood in which these principles took architectural form, thanks to Cleveland-born real estate developer Franklin Nicola. By the 1930s, the City Beautiful monuments were joined by several buildings constructed by or for the educational institutions with which Oakland is now so closely identified.
This tour will take in six Oakland buildings on the stretch of Fifth Avenue from the Mellon Institute to Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum that have become icons of institutional Oakland.
Tour Meeting Point: Entrance to Mellon Institute, 4400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh 15213
Tour Ending Point: Schenley Plaza, 4100 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh 15213
Please arrive 10 minutes before the start time in order to ensure that the tour gets underway on time. Dress for the weather (Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation’s tours proceed in all weather!), and wear comfortable clothing.
By purchasing a ticket for this tour, you acknowledge that you are physically able to undertake the tour, assume all personal risk during the tour, consent to being photographed during the tour, and permit PHLF to use your image in our communications.
This tour is handicap accessible. Please notify us of your needs two business days in advance of the tour.