Hunt Armory Explained

Hunt Armory
Designated Other1:CPHD
Designated Other1 Abbr:CPHS
Designated Other1 Date:February 27, 2014[1]
Designated Other2:PHLF
Designated Other2 Date:2014[2]
Location:324 Emerson Street, Shadyside, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Nearest City:Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Coordinates:40.4561°N -79.9239°W
Built:1916
Architect:W.G. Wilkins Co.
Builder:Dawson Construction Co.
Architecture:Classical Revival
Added:November 14, 1991
Refnum:91001697

Hunt Armory (also known as Pittsburgh Armory) is a former armory located at 324 Emerson Street in the Shadyside neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was designed by Pittsburgh architects W.G. Wilkins Co. Announced on August 29, 1909 and budgeted at $450,000 ($ in present-day terms) it was completed by 1916. The armory was named after Spanish–American War hero, metallurgist, and industrialist Captain Alfred E. Hunt (1855–1899), best known for founding the company that would eventually become Alcoa, the world's largest producer and distributor of aluminum. The Hunt Armory occupies an entire city block covering an area of 56000square feet, also reported as 1.84 acres.[3]

For many years, it was used (along with the Syria Mosque) as the city's main auditorium. Until the Pittsburgh Civic Arena was completed in 1961, the Hunt Armory was the largest auditorium in Pittsburgh and was frequently the host for concerts and political events including:

The Armory is closed for military use, but continues to be used for other purposes.[6] In 2008, it hosted the Handmade Arcade.[7]

By 2015, historically appropriate redevelopment was being planned[8] under the City's Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). In November 2021, the site opened as a public skating rink,[9] becoming the first indoor community ice rink opened within the city of Pittsburgh in 25 years.[10]

Hunt Armory has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places since November 14, 1991. It received City of Pittsburgh historic landmark status on February 27, 2014.[1] [11]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bill No. 2014-0019 . City of Pittsburgh . December 3, 2020.
  2. Book: Historic Landmark Plaques 1968–2014 . 2014 . Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation . Pittsburgh . 19 . April 20, 2021.
  3. News: Pa. state senator makes push to preserve Hunt Armory in Shadyside . Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . 2013-09-14 . Zullo . Robert . 2022-03-20 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130915234119/http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-city/pa-state-senator-makes-push-to-preserve-hunt-armory-in-shadyside-703309/ . 2013-09-15 .
  4. Web site: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Google News Archive Search. news.google.com. 9 May 2018.
  5. Web site: The Pittsburgh Press - Google News Archive Search. news.google.com. 9 May 2018.
  6. Web site: Roy A Hunt Foundation. rahuntfdn.org. 9 May 2018. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20080626035141/http://www.rahuntfdn.org/armory.shtml. 26 June 2008.
  7. News: Gormly . Kellie B. . Handmade Arcade offers distinctive crafts . . November 8, 2008 . February 10, 2013 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304061033/http://triblive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/ae/more/s_597366.html . March 4, 2016 .
  8. Web site: Hunt Armory Introduction . Pittsburgh City Council . 2015-11-20 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20151121064523/http://pittsburghpa.gov/district8/hunt-armory . 2015-11-21 .
  9. Web site: Lauer . Hallie . Indoor ice rink at Shadyside's Hunt Armory scores a goal with skaters . Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . 20 February 2022.
  10. Web site: Pittsburgh Penguins . Hunt Armory Ice Rink . NHL.com . NHL . 20 February 2022.
  11. Web site: Hunt Armory in Shadyside gets historic status. post-gazette.com. 9 May 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170530023949/http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2014/02/25/Hunt-Armory-in-Shadside-gets-historic-status/stories/201402250143. 30 May 2017.