WEB: www.studentaffairs.pitt.edu/studentunions

PHONE: (412) 648-7815

The William Pitt Union is the hub for socializing among students at the University Of Pittsburgh.

Commonly known locally as Pitt, the University Of Pittsburgh is a state-related research university that began in 1787. The university is comprised of 17 undergraduate and graduate schools located in various buildings in the city’s Oakland neighborhood — effectively making it Pitt’s campus.

The building was constructed in 1898 as the Schenley Hotel in magnificent beaux arts style filled with stunning marble. Its existence is owed to local real estate developer Franklin Nicola (1860-1938) who sought to create a first-class guest house in Oakland. At least four US Presidents — starting with Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924) — have stayed at the Schenley as well as celebrities such as actress Lillian Russell (1860-1922), tenor Enrico Caruso (1873-1921) and actor Henry Fonda (1905-1982).

Pitt acquired the hotel in 1956 and carefully renovated it to its current use with an emphasis on retaining most of the Schenley’s unique elements. It was renamed in honor of English statesman William Pitt (1708-1778) for whom Pittsburgh is also named.

Today, the William Pitt Union features a number of lounges as well as performance and meeting spaces. The grand William Pitt Union Ballroom is dominated by a vaulted ceiling, mirrored walls, detailed moldings and capped by two crystal chandeliers.

STANDARD HOURS:
Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.; Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.; Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 1:30 a.m.; Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 a.m.

PARKING:
The university has a variety of parking facilities.

PORT AUTHORITY ROUTES:
61A–61B–61C

Upcoming Events

Address
4200 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 United States