Pitt buys Twentieth Century Club building
Hall to Pitt.
The University of Pittsburgh has acquired the Twentieth Century Club building, an Oakland landmark known for its art deco-style ballroom. According to Allegheny County real estate records, Pitt paid $4.9 million for the elegant structure located at 4201 Bigelow Blvd., a block from the Cathedral of Learning.
The university closed on the deal near the end of March, about six months after the Twentieth Century Club — a women’s group dating back to 1894 — put the building up for sale as its membership dwindled.
“Pitt agreed to acquire the property prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic with the intention of preserving the building in this historic district,” spokesman Kevin Zwick said. “The university continues to look ahead toward future
campus development and planning that meets the Pitt community’s needs.”
The university does not yet have a specific use in mind for the real estate.
“We are in the early stages of the planning process for the property and have yet to make final decisions about its future,” Mr. Zwick said.
Oakland is one of the hottest real estate markets in the Pittsburgh region, with several major office projects in the works along Fifth and Forbes avenues. Pitt has been among the major players in the neighborhood, both as a tenant and a property owner.
Gaining control of the Twentieth Century Club gives the university another property in the heart of its campus.
Constructed in 1911, the building doubled in size in 1930, receiving an Italian Renaissance makeover by famed architect Benno Janssen, who also designed the Pittsburgh Athletic Association a block away.
At 54,340 square feet, the Twentieth Century Club was Mr. Janssen’s third major project in Oakland behind the PAA and the Masonic Temple, according to Jones Lang LaSalle, the real estate firm that marketed the building.
The club features three meeting and banquet rooms that can hold more than 100 people, three private dining rooms for up to 280 people, four lounges, two libraries and a conference room.
Its art deco-style ballroom has been the setting for countless wedding receptions. The club has billed it as one of the finest examples of the style remaining in the United States.
The sale of the building represents a bittersweet moment for the club. Only nine years ago, members voted to keep the doors open after agreeing to help sustain the club financially.
“It’s been for all of us a very difficult decision,” club president Joan Nilson said Wednesday. “We love the club.”
Beyond the wedding receptions, the building for years hosted Monday morning lectures on topics ranging from business and architecture to gardening and political cartoons.
Among the speakers have been members of the White House staff, including a chief usher and chef. In 2014, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto took part in a VIP reception at the venue as part of his inauguration activities.
Before selling the building, the club hosted some “lovely final events,” Ms. Nilson said. “All of the members have very fond, warm memories of the building,” she noted.
The club also has given artifacts to the Senator John Heinz History Center. “This will be preserved for the future,” Ms. Nilson said.
It also auctioned off a number of items, from kitchen equipment and rugs to plates and dishes with the Twentieth Century Club logo.
Ms. Nilson said proceeds from the sale of the building will be distributed in accordance with the club’s bylaws. She declined to elaborate, saying it was the private business of the club.
As the building was being put up for sale, Ms. Nilson noted the club itself hoped to stay intact and find another place to meet.
That effort has been complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic. As more restrictions are eased in the weeks ahead, club members will determine what they can and want to do, she said.
“I have no crystal ball here on this,” she added.
Pitt also had been considering taking 30,199 square feet of office space in the PAA clubhouse as part of a $25 million rehab being done by Shadyside developer Walnut Capital. But that deal reportedly is on hold at the moment.