Pittsburgh's Mellon Square Re-Opened After Six-Year Wait

Yoshi Silverstein describes the significance of the reopening, calling Mellon Square an icon of mid-century modern design: "A precursor to today’s trendy green roof movement, the plaza was the first in the nation built over a subterranean parking garage. Today, Mellon Square is a showcase for urban revitalization through historic preservation, with a contemporary sensibility and the latest technologies."

Among the details included in Silverstein's complete detailing of the park's past glory are details of the recent renovations: "the park’s bronze basins have been re-patinated. The uplighting and paving has been restored. The cascade fountain was recreated and is flowing again; the water choreography was re-established." Also, "updates include an elevated terrace overlooking Smithfield Street (inspired by early design sketches discovered in the Heinz collections), energy-efficient lighting technologies, and a new plant palette of hardy trees, flowers, grasses and shrubs…"