Tallest school building in the western hemisphere; the tallest in the world is at Moscow State University.

The building is set in a terraced lawn at the University of Pittsburgh campus on the city's east side.

The Commons Room on the first floor is four stories high, with a vaulted ceiling, Indiana limestone walls, and a green Vermont slate floor.

Three memorial classrooms galleries surround the Commons Room, each with its own theme.

The first gallery, the Nationality Rooms, commemorate the nationalities making up Pittsburgh's population. They were designed in the styles of 17 different nations by foreign architects.

The second gallery contains rooms interpreting the history of western Pennsylvania.

The third gallery contains memorials to the creators of Pittsburgh.

The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

An extensive facade cleaning project began in March 2007.