PNC Park
PNC Park is a Major League Baseball stadium which is located on the North Shore of Pittsburgh, is the Pittsburgh Pirates' fifth home. Right after the constrained implosion of the Pirates' previous home, Three Rivers Stadium, it opened to the local public. The opening ceremony took place during the 2001 MLB season. PNC Park is located along the Allegheny River, just East of its predecessor, with a beautiful view of the Downtown Pittsburgh skyline. PNC Park, built of steel and limestone, has a natural grass playing surface. The seating capacity is 38,747 for baseball.
The PNC Park is under the ownership of the Sports & Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. It is operated by Pittsburgh Pirates. The stadium broke ground on April 7, 1999 (23 years ago) and it officially opened to the local public on March 31, 2001 (21 years ago). Built in collaboration with Heinz Field and the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, the park cost $216 million and took 24 months to complete. This is faster than most modern stadiums scattered across the nation.
PNC Park was built in the "retro-classic" style which is similar to many previous venues such as Pittsburgh's Forbes Field. The park also included unique features such as the use of limestone all over the building's facade. Because of its location, timeless design, and clear angles of the field from every seat, PNC Park is widely regarded as one of the best ballparks in America. Also, the views of the Pittsburgh skyline and Allegheny River makes it even more attractive.
Outside of PNC Park, statues of Pirates Hall of Famers Honus Wagner, Willie Stargell, Roberto Clemente, and Bill Mazeroski can be seen. The ballpark was designed by Kansas City-based Populous (formerly HOK Sport). He also designed many other major league ballparks in the late 20th as well as early 21st centuries.
On July 11, 2006, PNC Park offered to host the 77th Major League Baseball All-Star Game. It was the fifth All-Star Game to be held in Pittsburgh and the first since the year 1994. The previous night, PNC Park offered to host the Home Run Derby. On May 6, 2003, the Pitt Panthers and the Duquesne Dukes played their first collegiate baseball game at PNC Park, a rivalry known as the City Game.
Some of the notable concerts which took place at the PNC Park include Jason Aldean, Ed Sheeran, Zac Brown Band, Billy Joel, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, Pearl Jam, Jimmy Buffett, Dave Matthews Band, and Metallica.