Brass Building Lofts

Strip District, Pittsburgh, PA

Status: Completed 2015

Building Type: Apartments

 

Area: 29,000 SF

Located at 3179 Penn Avenue in the Strip District, The Brass Building is a 14-unit apartment complex with Indovina Associates Architects’ offices on the ground floor. Built in 1904 as a brass manufacturing facility, the building’s heavy timber construction, 14-foot ceilings, and detailed red brick exterior reflect its industrial heritage and remain desirable over a century later.

 

When Indovina Associates Architects acquired the building, their renovation focused on preserving and enhancing its historic features. The restoration included meticulously cleaning the brick and sandstone exterior, installing new matching windows, and adding a corten steel elevator and stair tower for access. This material was chosen for its durability and visual compatibility with the original structure.

 

Inside, sandblasted beams and ceilings highlight the beauty of the century-old wood. Exterior walls were treated differently throughout: some were left raw for an industrial feel, while others were painted white for a clean, gallery-like look. This approach gives each of the 14 units a unique character, unified by the simplicity of white walls and new hardwood floors.