The Babb Building
850 Ridge Avenue | 10 am – 4 pm
YOUR EXPERIENCE
Relish the blend of historic and modern features in this iconic building. Enjoy the lovely French-style ballroom, as well as ‘Blitzburgh’, a Steelers-themed fun space for tailgate parties. Other highlights include working vaults, a poker room and fascinating original architecture and technological advances. A volunteer docent will be on-site to offer more information about this building.
ABOUT THIS BUILDING
Since 1970, Babb, Inc.’s headquarters have been based in the old William Penn Snyder mansion located on, what was once, Millionaire’s Row in the Allegheny West neighborhood of Pittsburgh. William Penn Snyder was in the iron ore development business in the Lake Superior area with Henry W. Oliver. He was also the owner of the Shenango Furnace Company.
Built in 1911, it takes up the entire corner of Ridge and Galveston Avenues standing three stories high. It was built in the 18th century French Renaissance style complete with ornate woodworking, marble fireplaces, detailed plaster, stained glass, and an exterior faced in Hummelstown brownstone. The state rooms and the grand staircase in the entryway are more reminiscent of the English Renaissance style that was popular from the Elizabethan to the Georgian eras.
By the 1920s the house was vacant, but in 1930 was bought by the Knight’s Life Insurance Company who put an addition on the building in 1948. The addition was faced with Hummelstown brownstone from the same quarry to match the original.
In 1976 the building was designated a National Historic Landmark.
Photography Allowed: YES
Wheelchair-Accessible Entrance: NO
Public Restrooms: YES
Wheelchair-Accessible Restrooms: NO
Photo ID Required: NO
Proof of COVID Vaccination Required: NO
Face Coverings Required: NO