Over on your right, you are looking at the site of a genuine lost giant of Pittsburgh. Back in 1912, if you craned your neck up right here, you would be staring at the tallest building in the entire city. The First National Bank Building started as a modest high-rise in 1909, but just three years later, it was expanded into a massive 26-story, 118-meter skyscraper.
Imagine the buzz on April 1, 1912, when the very first tenants proudly moved in. The building heavily advertised its state-of-the-art fireproofing. In an era where devastating urban fires were a terrifying threat, that promise of safety was the ultimate luxury.
But stone and steel don't always last forever. By the late 1960s, Pittsburgh National Bank decided it was time for a modern upgrade. Tenants were told to pack up and vacate the building by April 30, 1968. Work began later that year, and the structure was completely demolished in 1969 to clear the way for One PNC Plaza. It is wild how an entire skyline-defining titan can simply vanish.
Take a moment to picture that historic giant. Whenever you are ready, let's wander to our next stop.
