Mellon Institute of Industrial Research

Courtesy the Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives at the Senator John Heinz History Center.

Location:

4400 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Description:

The Mellon Institute of Industrial Research is a monumental example of Neoclassical architecture, located on Fifth Avenue in Pittsburgh's Oakland neighborhood. Founded in 1913 by Andrew W. Mellon and Richard B. Mellon, the institute was created to promote private-sector scientific research in partnership with universities and corporations—a novel concept at the time. Originally affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh, it became an independent institution in 1928 before merging with the Carnegie Institute of Technology in 1967 to form Carnegie Mellon University.

The current Mellon Institute building, completed in 1937, was designed by architect Benno Janssen and is widely recognized as one of the most iconic buildings in Pittsburgh. Its exterior is defined by a massive colonnade of 62 limestone Ionic columns, each standing four stories tall, making it one of the largest single-use classical colonnades in the world. The building’s design was inspired by the grandeur of Greek temples and the U.S. Treasury Building, symbolizing intellectual strength and civic dignity. Its polished limestone façade, symmetrical lines, and monumental scale exude a sense of permanence and gravitas.

Originally housing advanced laboratories and research facilities, the building played a pivotal role in industrial innovation throughout the 20th century, hosting research in fields such as chemistry, materials science, and metallurgy. Today, it serves as part of Carnegie Mellon University, primarily housing departments within the Mellon College of Science. The building remains a powerful architectural statement and a symbol of Pittsburgh’s historic commitment to education, research, and industrial advancement.