Kaufmann's Department Store Warehouse
Also known as: Forbes Med-Tech Center; Forbes-Stevenson Building
Why it's listed
Built in 1901 at the northeast corner of Forbes and Stevenson streets in Pittsburgh's Uptown area, the four-story brick building measures 210 by 90 feet and was designed as a warehouse for Kaufmann's department store. Its Forbes Avenue facade follows the Renaissance Revival style, with a rusticated base, a central shaft and a culminating cornice of dentils and corbels that recall Renaissance palazzo blocks. Segmental and round arches, brick keystones and corbeled parapets mark the upper floors. The building was sold in 1960 and used for storage and offices. Later rehabilitations, including work under the federal Investment Tax Credit program in 1987 to 1992, added new storefront openings and a ramp while retaining much of the original exterior. Its exterior is regarded as largely intact, and it is listed for its commercial role and its architectural design.
Significance in brief: The building is designed in the Renaissance Revival style, with a rusticated base, central shaft and culminating cornice that recall Renaissance palazzo blocks. Its exterior is described as almost completely original and it is associated with commerce. The nomination marks National Register Criteria A and C.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 97000513, listed May 30, 1997. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1401 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh |
|---|---|
| County | Allegheny County |
| Listed | May 30, 1997 |
| Reference number | 97000513 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1901-1946 |
| Architect / builder | Crisman, D. H. (builder) |
| Architectural style | Renaissance Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Rehabilitated in the early 1980s and again between 1987 and 1992; the upper floors house medical laboratories and the first and second floors contain offices. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.43821, -79.98651 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 97000513.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6378692
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.