The Pittsburgh City-County Building is a defining civic landmark in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh, housing municipal government offices and courts for both the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. Its prominent location and continuous public use make the condition of its masonry facade a matter of both structural integrity and civic pride. By 2018, decades of exposure to Pittsburgh's climate had deteriorated mortar joints, produced surface staining, and compromised facade elements requiring comprehensive attention.
Graciano Corporation served as general contractor for the full scope of exterior masonry and facade restoration, working under the direction of the City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Works. The project addressed conditions across the building's exterior, restoring the masonry to a sound, clean, and weathertight condition.
Scope of Work
Services Performed
- Tuckpointing and repointing of masonry joints throughout the exterior
- Masonry restoration across brick and stone facade elements
- Masonry cleaning to remove decades of surface soiling
- Facade repairs addressing cracking, spalling, and displaced masonry units
- Caulking at critical joints and transitions
- Abrasive cleaning of masonry surfaces
Civic Masonry at Scale
Municipal buildings of this era present particular challenges in masonry restoration. The mortar joint systems in civic structures from this period were often formulated to exacting standards, and replacement mortar must be carefully matched in composition, color, and hardness to avoid creating stress differentials that accelerate deterioration. Graciano's crews evaluated existing mortar conditions before specifying replacement mixes, ensuring compatibility with the original masonry units.
Abrasive and chemical cleaning was deployed to remove surface soiling without damaging the masonry substrate. The cleaning phase required careful sequencing around building operations, as the City-County Building remained fully occupied and in continuous use throughout the restoration program.
Pittsburgh Civic Landmark Work
The Pittsburgh City-County Building is one of several significant civic and institutional landmarks where Graciano Corporation has performed masonry restoration in the Pittsburgh region. The company's history in Pittsburgh spans projects including Carnegie Museum, Heinz Hall, the Pittsburgh Athletic Association, and other major institutions in the Cultural District and downtown corridor. This depth of local experience informs every aspect of how Graciano approaches work on Pittsburgh's public buildings.
About Graciano Corporation
Founded in 1916, Graciano Corporation is one of the oldest and most experienced masonry and concrete restoration firms in the United States. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, with additional offices in New York, NY, and Florida, Graciano performs approximately 90% of all work in-house with its own skilled journeymen. The company is a WBENC-certified Woman Business Enterprise and has built its reputation on the most demanding public-sector and landmark restoration projects across the eastern United States.