Motor Square Garden

Motor Square Garden is a steel-framed building in East Liberty featuring a distinctive blue dome and yellow brick exterior. The expansive interior showcases exposed steel girders and large skylights that flood the atrium with natural light and define the industrial character of the space.

The Mellon family financed construction between 1898 and 1900, initially establishing the building as East Liberty Market House for a real estate venture. Within years, it shifted to housing automobile exhibitions, marking a major change in how the space served the community.

After being repurposed as an automobile exhibition space in the early 1900s, the venue hosted sporting events including boxing matches and basketball games that drew crowds from across the region. The building's transformation from a market into an entertainment destination shaped how people in Pittsburgh experienced commerce and leisure during the early 20th century.

The building is located on Baum Boulevard and now functions as headquarters for the American Automobile Association and nursing school. Access may be limited in some areas since the space primarily serves office and educational purposes rather than being open as a public museum.

The building was designed by Boston-based Peabody and Stearns, merging industrial functionality with the spaciousness of a traditional market hall. This blend of practical engineering and refined architecture made it stand out among exhibition venues of that era.

Location: Pennsylvania

Architects: Peabody and Stearns

Architectural style: Art Nouveau architecture

GPS coordinates: 40.45978,-79.92726

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:46