Andrew Carnegie welcomed 2,000 people to the Carnegie Music Hall in 1895. His goal was to make the space the center of musical culture in Pittsburgh, and since then, the stage has hosted greats such as Luciano Pavarotti, Ella Fitzgerald, Arlo Guthrie, David Byrne, Norah Jones and Harry Bellefonte.
The Music Hall closed in June 2023 for its most substantial renovation since it opened focusing on critical updates such as new wiring and climate control, including, for the first time, modern air-conditioning—as well as improved accessibility.
McKim & Creed provided structural engineering services for the Carnegie Music Hall renovation project. The firm’s expertise was instrumental in addressing the project’s unique challenges, including developing floor framing solutions to accommodate new floor openings and transitions within the vintage clay-tile-arch system. McKim & Creed also determined the structural working capacity and coordinated methods for attaching theater lighting and modern sound equipment suspended from the building superstructure with minimal retrofitting. The scope of work encompassed detailed structural analysis and design to ensure structural integrity and functionality to this historic building.
The project deliverables included contract documentation for the necessary framing modifications, seating attachments, and other unique conditions exposed during construction. The renovated Carnegie Music Hall opened to the public in August 2024.