History

In 2008, Mellon Square was named one of America’s Ten Great Public Spaces by the American Planning Association, drawing attention to this landmark in downtown Pittsburgh. Mellon Square, which opened in 1955, is the first modern garden plaza to be built atop a parking garage, and its design makes it a forerunner of today’s rooftop gardens. 

The square was envisioned by Richard King Mellon as part of downtown’s Renaissance. In planning two new buildings for Alcoa and U.S. Steel, Mellon included plans for some much-needed open space (which would also serve as a memorial to his father, Richard Beatty Mellon, and his uncle, Andrew Mellon). The 1.37-acre square was financed by the A.W. Mellon Educational and Charitable Trust, Sara Mellon Scaife, and the Richard King Mellon Foundation.

Mellon Square was designed by landscape architect John Ormsbee Simonds along with his frequent collaborators, architects Mitchell and Ritchey. Simonds, who was based in Pittsburgh, in 1972 published Landscape Architecture, an important text in the profession of landscape architecture. Simonds intended Mellon Square to be an oasis in the city that was beautiful, functional, and lively.

Today’s Mellon Square has faded somewhat, with cracks, corrosion, and dying trees becoming standard sights. The park feels rundown, even though it still attracts many visitors. The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy is leading an effort to return Mellon Square to its intended design and restore its vibrancy as a public space.

Parking Garages: A Multilevel History

Listen to an NPR story containing an original broadcast clip about the construction of Mellon Square.

Historic Video of Downtown Pittsburgh's Traffic Evolution

Here's a short film clip from 1955 showcasing how Pittsburgh's Golden Triangle changed to accommodate the increase in motor vehicle traffic.  Mellon Square and its parking garage appear near the end.