100 Years on Highland Avenue

One hundred years later, Highland Towers, which was
designed by architect Frederick G. Scheibler Jr.,remains
 a unique and pleasant resident of Shadyside.

When it opened on South Highland Avenue in Pittsburgh’s Shadyside neighborhood in 1913, Highland Towers Apartments was the height of modernity.

The building, which originally contained four 10-room flats, featured such mod cons as electrical connections in every room, clothes dryers, a central vacuum cleaning system and a room for servants in each unit.
 

This interesting architectural
detail can be found on the
facade of Highland Towers.

But architect Frederick G. Scheibler Jr., who designed many houses and apartments in the East End during his career, created an early modern gem that remains a delight to the eyes of passersby.

Scheibler, who was influenced by the work of Frank Lloyd Wright and Louis Sullivan while he was designing the structure, used four different colors of brick in patterns that impart a pleasing texture to the exterior.

Inside, he employed Rookwood tile, Carerra glass in the bathrooms and art glass windows.

“The Progressive Architecture of Frederick G. Scheibler Jr.” by Martin Aurand, published by the University of Pittsburgh Press, contains a chapter about Highland Towers that features floor plans and promotional materials used to sell the apartments when they opened in 1913.

The Pitt Press posted a digital edition of the book at www.upress.pitt.edu/BookDetails.aspx?bookId=34290

One hundred years later, Highland Towers still is the best-looking apartment block in that section of Shadyside.