Historical Highlight: The Omni William Penn Hotel, Pittsburgh’s Timeless Icon
Written by Christine Julia Dingzon
The Omni William Penn Hotel, located in the heart of Downtown Pittsburgh, has been a part of the city’s history, luxury, and elegance since 1916. Built by industrialist, Henry Clay Frick, the hotel was designed to be one of the best hotels in the world. A team from Janssen and Abbot created the hotel's architecture. They were inspired by Beaux-Arts architecture and implemented its fascinating characteristics of Roman and Greek Classism in the hotel. This choice of architecture set a high standard for beauty and sophistication in the city.
Upon the hotel’s opening in March 1916, it became a favorite spot for notable guests to visit, from former Presidents to Hollywood Stars like President Theodore Roosevelt and famous actress Mary Pickford. There were also fun innovations created within the building like Lawrence Welk’s bubble machine.
As the hotel’s success grew, the hotel expanded. Renovations began in 1928, where several rooms were added and an exclusive ballroom, known as the Urban Room was created at the top of the hotel to add to the hotel’s elegance and luxury. The William Penn Hotel slowly became the second tallest hotel at the time, turning it into a popular destination for conventions, events, and gatherings.
Due to significant events that affected America's economy, like the Great Depression, the hotel went through several ownership changes, causing a major renovation in the 1980s which reduced the number of rooms to 650, focusing on providing larger, more comfortable accommodations to guests, while keeping the historic charm of the building. In 2001, Omni Hotels & Resorts took over, continuing to blend the hotel’s classic style with modern features.
Today, the Omni William Penn Hotel is recognized as a member of Historic Hotels of America. It remains a proud part of Pittsburgh’s history, offering guests a chance to experience its timeless elegance and warm welcome. The William Penn Hotel continues to be a landmark that honors the past while looking forward to the future.
