The History of The CARLYLE

The Union National Bank building at Fourth Avenue and Wood Streets was constructed in 1906. Designed by the architectural firm of MacClure & Spahr, the building displays an austere version of the Classical Revival style, executed in gray granite. MacClure & Spahr was one of the most prominent architectural firms to practice in Pittsburgh during the first two decades of the 20 th century. The firm's other work included Downtown office buildings and homes for Pittsburgh's industrial leadership, including the Heinz family. The adjoining Commonwealth Trust Company building, built simultaneously with the Union National Bank, was later joined with its neighbor. The Fourth Avenue Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985, with the Union National Bank building a contributing building within the district.

About The Developer

David W. Bishoff is President of E.V. Bishoff Company. Having roots in the Pittsburgh area dating back to the early 1800s, Mr. Bishoff’s company has been investing in downtown Pittsburgh since 1992. When the opportunity presented itself, the company had the foresight to purchase virtually the entire city block in which the Carlyle is now located. This property includes three high rises, three mid rises, and a parking facility. Having traveled extensively throughout Europe and the United States, Mr. Bishoff not only understands what true downtown living is, but is of the belief that it was time to bring true downtown living to Pittsburgh. A commitment was made early in the development process that included the adherence to a development criteria that demanded that his company create the single best downtown high rise living experience that Pittsburgh could offer. "We had the experience and desire to pattern the Carlyle living experience after the great metropolitan downtown centers of the world; Chicago, Washington D.C, Paris, London, and New York as opposed to the communities built by production builders of the area," explained Mr. Bishoff. This commitment was central to every decision that was made throughout the construction process and is responsible for the sculptured doorways that enhance the sense of arrival to each and every home, the floor planning that created low density floors with a maximum of four residences per floor on the lower floors and only three on the upper floors, windows that allow light to flood every room, privacy that not only comes from the low density floors, but privacy that results from the engineering of sound deadening materials that separate each and every residence. Mr. Bishoff’s statement “A residence should be stately and magnificent, welcoming yet exclusive and private” is continually reinforced by decision after decision that has been made in the development of The Carlyle. The Carlyle is not Pittsburgh’s version of downtown living. The Carlyle is what other major metropolitan areas have enjoyed for generations. And it is now a reality, all because of a commitment to both quality and design that was made and kept.