Washington Education Center

By Eli Pousson - originally posted to Flickr as Washington Education Center,

CC BY-SA 2.0

Location:

177 40th St, Pittsburgh, PA 15201

Description:

The Washington Education Center in Pittsburgh’s Lawrenceville neighborhood began as Washington Elementary School around 1868. In 1908, a new building was erected on the site, and in 1936–37 the structure was expanded and rebuilt under the guidance of architects Charles W. Bier and Marion M. Steen. This expansion transformed the facility into a vocational-technical high school serving up to 900 students.

Architecturally, the building showcases a blend of Late Victorian and Art Deco styles. The exterior features solid brickwork with modest decorative motifs, while inside, the layout included specialized vocational spaces—bricklaying, printing, drafting, mimeograph, testing labs—and a 384‑seat auditorium. The design reflected both the educational ambitions of the era and the practical needs of trade instruction.

After serving as a vocational training center until its closure in 2006, the building found new life as a boutique hotel. In 2019 it reopened as the TRYP by Wyndham Pittsburgh/Lawrenceville, repurposed sensitively to retain its historic character while adding 108 guest rooms, restaurants, and local art. Despite financial struggles facing the hotel in recent years, the structure remains a striking example of adaptive reuse.

The building is celebrated for its significance in educational history and its contribution to the architectural tapestry of Lawrenceville. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (1986) and recognized as a historic landmark by the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation. Its conversion into a hotel demonstrates a successful balance between preservation and modern urban renewal.