Burke Building

The Burke Building at 209-211 4th Avenue is a commercial structure from the 1800s with a strictly symmetrical design and classical architectural details. It has multiple stories and displays the construction methods used in major office buildings in American cities during that period.

The building was designed in 1836 by architect John Chislett and was among Pittsburgh's first large office structures. It remarkably survived the Great Fire of 1845, which destroyed much of the city.

The building occupies a spot in what was once Pittsburgh's financial heart, showing how merchants shaped the city's business district. Its classical columns and balanced proportions reveal what businesspeople valued in architecture during the 1800s.

The building sits in downtown Pittsburgh and is easy to spot and photograph from the street. Since it is a protected historic property, access inside may not always be available or depends on special viewing times.

It is the last large example of Greek Revival architecture still standing in Pittsburgh, making it a rare architectural remnant. This makes it an important point for tracing Pittsburgh's early urban development.

Location: Pittsburgh

Architectural style: Greek Revival architecture

Address: 209 Fourth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

GPS coordinates: 40.44000,-80.00250

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:06