(Credit for Photo: Photo Provided with Release Courtesy of Allegheny Health Network)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) Inside the historic South Tower at Allegheny General Hospital, the hospital’s founders etched into a stone wall the words: “Erected for the benefit of mankind to save life, relieve suffering and conserve health.”

After nearly 90 years of serving that mission, the 22-story facility is set to undergo a multi-year, $36 million exterior restoration project aimed at preserving the building and extending its lifespan for future generations.

Contractors are expected to begin erecting scaffolding next month. The scaffolding will surround the tower in phases throughout the project’s four-year timeline.

The restoration will include repairs to the masonry façade and ornamental terra cotta, along with the replacement or restoration of more than 800 windows. Approximately 60,000 square feet of roofing at multiple elevations will also be repaired or replaced.

Hospital officials said the project will combine traditional craftsmanship with modern restoration techniques to preserve the structure’s historic features, including the cathedral windows at the top of the tower.

The project is expected to be completed in 2030. Mascaro Construction Company will serve as the general contractor.

Officials said patient care and hospital operations will continue uninterrupted during construction.

The South Tower has also recently gained national attention as the backdrop and inspiration for “The Pitt,” an HBO Max medical drama produced by Warner Bros. Television.