Surprise! The Atterbury Will Debut Inside Downtown’s Historic Fulton Building

LOBBY RENDERING COURTESY THE ATTERBURY

The team inside Downtown’s historic Fulton Building — currently home to the Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel — has been keeping an exciting secret under wraps.

This summer, the city will debut its newest hotel, The Atterbury, inside the beloved Pittsburgh landmark, which is known for its distinctive seven-story archway. An official opening date has yet to be announced. 

The new venue will join Marriott’s Autograph Collection® after a multi-million-dollar transformation, which quietly began last September. All 300 guest rooms have since been renovated, and the hotel now houses 12,500 square feet of meeting space, a new contemporary American restaurant, a restored grand rotunda and skywell, plus a robust local art program. 

SUITE RENDERING COURTESY THE ATTERBURY

General manager Chris Johnson says the hope is The Atterbury will become “Pittsburgh’s living room,” welcoming in all from near and far. 

“We want to invite everyone down,” he says, “And invite everyone in.”

The newest iteration of the 13-story hotel is rooted in history, yet tweaked for modern travelers. Scannable QR codes throughout the property will allow guests to learn local facts, from historic tidbits to information about unique art groupings found on each elevator landing. 

PHOTO: PITTSBURGH MAGAZINE ARCHIVES

Art themes will range from the city’s earlier industrial identity to more contemporary references such as Heaven, Pittsburgh’s now-defunct version of Studio 54 that once called the building home. Throughout the hotel, spaces have been designed to deeply connect guests with the people and places of Pittsburgh.

Upon first entering, visitors will encounter an airy lobby and open-space market with wooden shelves, much like an early-1900s grocer would have had. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the 6th Avenue sidewalk as a way to “invite the city in,” a theme found throughout the revamped property. 

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Behind the reception desk, guests are immediately greeted by portraits of architect Grosvenor Atterbury (and his wife Estelle), who designed the building, which was constructed for Carnegie Steel magnate Henry Phipps in 1906. 

Johnson describes Atterbury as a “total Renaissance dude,” with a passion for the arts, as well as someone who knew how to draw people into cities by offering comforts to which they’d grown accustomed. 

Atterbury was also “green” before his time. For example, the original 30-foot-wide skylight, which stretches over the marble lobby, had windows that opened to let in river air and created a form of natural air conditioning. 

“The whole design is beautiful, but there’s a purpose to it,” Johnson marvels.

FULTON ROOM RENDERING COURTESY THE ATTERBURY

All Autograph Collection venues offer a distinctive experience that gives guests a sense of place. For Pittsburgh, this means a six-minute, music-and-light experience that’s shown twice a day, with images projected onto the soaring rotunda and an accompanying soundtrack. Initial vignettes will show the city through the centuries, from its initial Native inhabitants to steel workers and modern-day residents. Everyone is invited in to enjoy the show.

When it comes to The Atterbury’s location, just steps from the Allegheny Riverfront and smack-dab in the heart of the Cultural District, Johnson feels there’s no better address. 

“We are located at the corner of Main and Main,” he says, referencing the hotel’s proximity to dozens of restaurants, bars and theaters as well as to Acrisure Stadium and PNC Park, both located a short walk away on the North Shore.

The hotel’s core dining will take place in the lobby and the Drafting Room, a vibrant new restaurant and bar inspired by the precision and creativity of an architect’s studio. Open for all-day dining, the venue will have 22 dining seats, 16 bar seats and eight outdoor sidewalk seats. The space features opulent marble floors and whimsical touches like apothecary drawers; Johnson calls it all “unbelievably well-designed.”

“Fare here will be straightforward American,” he adds, “Elevated but not over the top.” 

BAR RENDERING COURTESY THE ATTERBURY

An forward-thinking cocktail and mocktail program will be served alongside Pennsylvania craft beer, approachable wines and coffee drinks by La Colombe. The Fulton Room, also on the ground floor, will serve as an elegant lounge and social gathering space nearby.

Details from the past remain throughout the hotel, such as the original Fulton’s interlocking double-F (found above the elevators) or the grand chandeliers designed to pay homage to Pittsburgh’s paddleboat days. 

Recent updates will enhance already-loved spaces, such as the grand lobby staircase — popular amongst locals who drop in for photo opps on special occasions like graduations. Now, a carpet runner will show off the once-hidden marble, a prominent feature of the dramatic stairs. 

While all corridors have the same look, the decor and layouts of guest rooms and suites differ between floors. A corner king room, for example, might showcase colors and wall vinyls appropriate for the building’s original era; in the same room, a gallery wall showcases a vintage floor plan of the next-door theater alongside a piece of modern sculpture that honors the city’s iconic yellow Sister Bridges bridges below. 

“It all just connects you with the city,” Johnson says. 

KING ROOM RENDERING COURTESY THE ATTERBURY

In some bathrooms, excerpts from Henry Phipps’s diary have been handwritten and turned into alluring wallpaper. In other rooms, early 1900s-era Depression glass fixtures disseminate light into magical starburst patterns across the ceiling. 

Whimsical, destination-inspired touches exist as well — such as wall hooks that spell out “Burgh” and “do not disturb” door hangers that familiarize guests with local Pittsburghese. Will you choose: “Don’t be so nebby” or “Time to redd up?”

Those looking for added luxury may book one of the hotel’s few rooms with soaking tubs or the two rooms with balconies. Or, for a true indulgence, rent out the spacious Presidential Suite with soothing blue tones, killer river views and soaring skylight. Rumor has it that Lady Gaga once made this her temporary home while she was passing through the area on tour.

Johnson finds the hotel’s evolution to be “a very cool next life for the building.” People are no longer looking for your “dad’s hotel,” he says. “They’re seeking so much more than just a bed and pillow.” 

He hopes that, when guests leave, they don’t necessarily walk away remembering only what an amazing view they had from their room. Instead, he’d rather they cling to memories like, “I felt so good in that hotel.” 

He describes the hotel’s vibe as comfortable, approachable and cool. “If the front desk [staff] are wearing jeans and sneakers,” he jokes, “you’re OK.”

The staff hopes to cater to community members, too, by creating perks like SIN (Service Industry Night) cards. This means anyone in the service industry can enjoy 20% discounts on designated evenings. 

“Let’s take care of the folks who do what we do,” Johnson says.

As a true history buff, the GM admits to feeling like a 10-year-old while strolling through The Atterbury’s storied halls. “It’s such a joy to be able to be in this space and work in this building,” he says. 

He can’t wait to share that with others. Johnson adds has some tricks up his sleeve, so stay tuned; perhaps there will be a bartender slinging cocktails in the elevator, or other “little surprises that touch the heart,” he says.