Snyder Mansion-turned-workplace a hit with employees on Pittsburgh's North Side
It’s not every day a job interview takes place in a historic mansion.
But for Logann Woodley of Franklin Park, interviewing inside a sprawling brownstone built for the late Pittsburgh steel and iron magnate William Penn Snyder sealed the deal. Today, it’s the headquarters of Babb, Inc., an insurance broker.
“I walked in and said, ‘This is crazy. This is beautiful.’ I was in love with it immediately. It was a big factor of my decision to come to work here,” Woodley said of the impressive stone mansion at the corner of Ridge and Galveston avenues in Allegheny West, a neighborhood near Pittsburgh’s North Shore.
Her first day on the job resulted in a learning curve.
“I just walked in circles or went back to where I started,” Woodley explained of getting lost navigating her way around the four-story building. “It’s a work perk. It’s relaxing and the energy of the home is welcoming and inviting.”
The building, located at 850-845 Ridge Ave., is one of a handful of mansions still standing along what was known as Millionaire’s Row during the turn of the century.
Babb is co-owned by Russell Livingston, his brother Ron Livingston Jr. and patriarch Ron Livingston Sr.. Russell Livingston stressed the significance of owning a building that once held court alongside majestic mansions during Pittsburgh’s industrial period.
“It’s an opportunity to be the custodian of some of Western Pennsylvania history by maintaining one of the region’s historic resources,” he said.
Babb Inc. bought the mansion for $550,000 in 1969 and 55 years later it remains the anchor business there and rents to four other businesses.
“We were in Gateway in Downtown Pittsburgh and it was a challenge logistically to manage a business in four different offices,” Livingston said. “My dad found the building and was on a committee asked to seek alternative office space.”
Livingston Sr., 94, discovered the historic mansion was for sale and decided it would be perfect.
“I looked all over and there were all kinds of buildings but none of them really interested me. I had to kidnap my partners from Downtown Pittsburgh to get them there to see it,” Livingston Sr. joked. “I saw the building as something unique to our business. Everyone was always impressed by the work environment and the boardroom — we didn’t lose many sales.”
Livingston Sr. recalled numerous social events hosted in the ballroom, including performances by the Westinghouse Choir, two operas hosted by the Pittsburgh Opera Company and a Pittsburgh beauty contest.
“I took great pride in that building,” said Livingston Sr., who is now retired. “I never felt like I was going to work. It was a second home to me.”
The 1911 residence was constructed for $450,000. It still boasts original Italian marble and parquet floors, stained glass, intricate hand-carved oak woodwork, detailed plaster, marble fireplaces, a ballroom, billiard room and indoor garage — just some of the luxury amenities in the French Renaissance-influenced building that was more than 30,000 square feet.
“This is a luxury for us to have this space,” said Russell Livingston, who lives in Fox Chapel.
William and Mary Snyder raised two children in the 50-room mansion that featured state-of-the-art amenities such as a push-button elevator, a central vacuum system and air conditioning.
Snyder, born in 1861 in Hollidaysburg, got his start working in an iron mill in the Strip District when he was a teenager.
He later was president of the Clairton Steel Company and founded the Shenango Steamship Company.
The couple were renowned for their parties and social events. Architect George Orth — who also did the Snyder’s Wilpen Hall estate in Sewickley Heights — designed the mansion with classical revival features and a box shape that was commonplace in Manhattan, but was rare in Pittsburgh’s architectural landscape.
Their surrounding Ridge Avenue neighbors included Andrew Carnegie, Henry O. Tanner, Lois Weber, Henry Phipps, H.J. Heinz, William Thaw and Colonel James Anderson.
Snyder died at home at age 59 in 1921 and is buried in Allegheny Cemetery.
Babb employee Michael Sinchak has been the building’s property manager for 19 years. It’s listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1976 and is designated as a historic landmark by the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation.
“We can clean 24/7, 365 and not do anything else,” Sinchak said of the building, which now totals more than 60,000 square feet after an addition was constructed.
Sinchak said working in a mansion is fun and said it’s the ultimate hide-and-seek spot with all the nooks and crannies throughout. His favorite locations in the building are the lobby and the roof.
“The lobby has all the wood and the openness and the roof has all the views,” Sinchak said. “By the time I leave here every day, I have over 10,000 steps in. I am everywhere here.”
Jess Hawkins of Hampton has worked at Babb for eight years.
“Me and my mom would always look at old buildings and the ballroom is my favorite room,” Hawkins said.
The ballroom was considered one of the most beautiful in Pittsburgh and served as the setting for the Snyders’ daughter’s debutante ball.
The sparkling oversized chandeliers are original. The ballroom is still utilized for Babb events.
“It’s unchanged since I started here,” said Sandy Sanderson, a Babb employee of 49 years. “We’ve had some awesome parties here — live bands and more.”
The poker room, an intimate room that once welcomed captains of Pittsburgh’s coal, iron, ore, glass and steel industries, appeals to Sanderson.
“Doesn’t this look like a cigar and bourbon room? It’s a manly room,” Sanderson said.
Many of the rooms have buttons, which were used to summon servants.
Jeanne Krachala described her work environment in a landmark architectural mansion as amazing.
“I’m so blessed to be in such a historical building and every time I come in, I see something different — the woodwork, the stained glass and the uniqueness of everything,” Krachala said.
During the holidays, Babb decorates the mansion extensively for their employees and tenants.
“Even the elevator is decorated during Christmas,” said 24-year employee Krachala.
The elevator is the oldest operating one in Allegheny County, according to Russell Livingston.
The ballroom is frequently used for business meetings and social gatherings.
It features two original crystal chandeliers that have been in continuous operation since 1911.
“We use the space to support people and to entertain people. It’s not unusual for us to have fundraisers here,” Russell Livingston said. “And we use the building to enrich the lives of our employees. There are resources (including) free parking, fresh fruit, dry cleaning, quiet spaces and more.”
Blitzburg, a renovated Steelers-themed section of the original enclosed garage, was installed after the implosion of Three Rivers Stadium.
Russell Livingston, a 1980 Fox Chapel Area High School graduate, paused to reflect on what Mr. Snyder would think of his mansion now.
“I think he’d be proud of the fact that we’re an integral part of this neighborhood,” he said. “I think he would have respect for the fact that we maintained the bones of this place, the deep rich history and I’d think he’d approve.”
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
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