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DOWNTOWN - Touted by its designers as the most advanced "green" building in Pittsburgh, PNC Bank's new operations center on the Monongahela River -Firstside Center - reflects the vision of a green-friendly company and architect.
According the Gary Saulson, the head of PNC's realty services, Firstside had to meet certain corporate priorities. "It was important to the leadership [of PNC] that be Firstside be located in Pittsburgh or Downtown. We wanted to make it appealing, functional, safe and environmentally friendly. Sustainability was a big issue," Mr. Saulson said.
Eschewing the traditional corporate organization of office space where senior managers in private offices are segregated from their colleagues, PNC stipulated that Firstside floor space be open, thereby substantially reducing its use of drywall. Not only will this save PNC money, but it's also an environmentally sound approach since drywall never degrades.
PNC has embraced its riverside location even though other developers reportedly avoided it.
The fifth floor cafeteria will give diners scenic views of the Monongahela River and Mount Washington.
In addition, Mr. Saulson boasts of Firstside's proximity to the Eliza Furnace trail, which will terminate at Firstside.
Firstside's principal architect, Elmer Burger 11 of the Downtown architectural firm of L.D. Astorino, said he believes Firstside will mesh well with nearby buildings and infrastructure.
And Mr....