PHOTOS BY AZEEZ BAKARE STUDIOS
Built in 1902 and standing 18 stories high, The Arrott Building on Wood Street Downtown was, in its prime, a testament to the extravagance of its day and its owner — the Bathtub King of Pittsburgh, James Arrott.
Topped with howling masks along its cornices, the brick- and terracotta-striped skyscraper acted as headquarters to Arrott’s American Standard company — which produced iron-enameled bathtubs — as well as his separate insurance business.
Since the 1970s, following a failed attempt to convert it into 100 apartments for senior citizens, the office building has sat mostly empty, save for a Subway restaurant on its bottom level.
However, the grand bones of the building, which was added to the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation Historic Landmarks list in 2000, remained intact — and formed the basis for a new boutique hotel.
