Wilmerding's Westinghouse Castle coming back to life with new purpose

The lights were back on in the old “Westinghouse Castle” in Wilmerding Wednesday night. A few of the folks who gathered on the lawn in front of the stately Romanesque/Renaissance Revival building probably swore they saw George Westinghouse waving from his old office.

The property of the General Office or “G.O.” of the Westinghouse Air Brake Co. is getting a major facelift. The people gathered there for a ceremony celebrating the beginning of a long restoration and repurposing process for the grand building that dates back to 1890.

After years of vacancy and deterioration, the building is being brought back to life as home to Turtle Creek Valley Arts and part of an expansion of the Westinghouse Arts Academy in Wilmerding. It will allow the arts-focused high school to expand its programming to include a culinary arts program.

“We could not be more pleased to be a part of the restoration of this important piece of Pittsburgh’s history and the industrial history of the nation,” said Bill Malloy, managing partner of the developer, Westinghouse Castle, LP.

“But what really excites us about this project are the new uses for the property and what they will mean to the community in terms of arts education and to the continued development of the Borough of Wilmerding.”

Turtle Creek Valley Arts will sublet most of the property to Westinghouse Arts Academy, but will retain the use of the building during non-school hours and days.

“We’re very, very, very excited because there are some interesting and fantastic uses for the property and they’re going to keep it busy, hopefully, nearly 365 days a year,” said developer Joe Lawrence. “We’re very proud.”

The first of three phases of construction is scheduled to be completed by next spring, with the ground floor becoming a cafeteria, classrooms and a small art gallery. The first floor will be available for use by the Westinghouse Arts Academy at the start of next school year. One more floor per year will be put into use each of the following two school years.

To say the least, it’s an ambitious schedule. And after touring the building the last few days, Malloy was honest about the challenge that lies ahead.

“I’m sorry to report that it has undergone significant deterioration,” Malloy told the gathering. “There are ceilings down. There are walls down. So, we’re taking lots of steps to secure the building. And I’m pleased to report that come Friday afternoon, when it rains out here, it will no longer be raining in there.”

The Castle was purchased in time to save the building, said Malloy, a remark that drew cheers from the crowd.

Seeing the building return to its early grandeur will no doubt be a source of inspiration, not only to developers Malloy and Lawrence, but also to the future inhabitants.

A walk up the Castle’s marble and steel staircase to Westinghouse’s old office reveals a room with stately curved windows that look out onto the campus.

Most of the offices and conference rooms feature ornate wood paneling and fireplaces. The Clock Tower, an integral part of the Castle’s signature look, will be returned to working order as part of the renovation.

“It is with great joy that the residents of Wilmerding can see the renovation of ‘The Castle,’” Mayor Gregory M. Jakub said. “As mayor, a resident and an individual who spent 11 years working in that building, I’m ecstatic. It was my second home, a landmark and iconic piece of history for the Borough of Wilmerding, as well as all who were employed by Westinghouse.

“After many years of frustration, it is a true blessing to see work being done.”

Westinghouse Arts Academy CEO Richard Fosbrink said the renovation of The Castle will create new opportunities for students.

“It’s a demonstration of how our arts-focused school has filled a need, when other schools have cut back on the arts,” he said.

Actual construction on the building will fully begin in four weeks, according to Lawrence.

“George is looking down with a smile,” Jakub said.