Sources: Travel + Leisure, Pittsburgh Business Times, WTAE-TV, TRIB Total Media, MLB, CBS, Covers

Colliers International | Pittsburgh hosted its annual company outing at PNC Park, for the Pittsburgh Pirates vs. the Chicago Cubs.  The one hour and forty-seven minute rain delay couldn’t stop Pittsburgh from the 4-2 win for the Buccos against the Cubs, ending the three-game sweep. In the first two innings, Starling Marte hit two singles and scored twice.  Andrew McCutchen’s three hits drove in two runs leading the Bucco’s to their fourth straight win.

“The generosity of the Principal’s of the Colliers International | Pittsburgh office provided the entire staff with an afternoon at PNC Park to watch our Pirates compete, enjoy each other’s company and have fun. Not even threatening skies or a one and a half hour rain delay could dampen our spirits,” commented Raymond Orowetz, P.E., LEED Green Associate and Vice President of Industrial Brokerage at Colliers International | Pittsburgh.

TripAdvisor.com highlighted PNC Park as number one among America’s top ten best baseball stadiums.  Of the highlights credited for this honor are the expansive city skyline views.  With the exception of the bleacher sections, the skyline view is indeed one of the best and most beautiful in the country, from any seat in PNC Park. Travel + Leisure reports even the highest seat in this stately two-level ballpark (the only one in MLB) is just 88 feet from the field.

The view of the city skyline from PNC Park is filled with architectural gems, including Gateway Center, home to Colliers International | Pittsburgh, as well as the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, considered the first ever “green” convention center and world’s largest “green” building, and PPG Place, located near the Market Square location which has plans for a $400 million, 33-story Tower at PNC Plaza to be built on Wood Street and The Gardens at Market Square, a 17-story high-rise featuring 95,000 SF of office space, a 175-room Hilton Garden Inn, 23,000 SF of retail and a 325-space parking garage.

PNC Park is easily accessible, located on the North Shore between Pittsburgh’s Central Business District and the North Side. On game days, the Roberto Clemente Bridge closes to traffic so fans can walk across it passing decked-out fans waiting in boats and kayaks on the Allegheny River for a stray ball and access the adjoining riverside concourse to the stadium.

When it comes to stadium food, its no wonder Primanti’s was included as a major highlight to make it one of the best ballparks in America.  Named among the country’s manliest sandwiches by Men’s Health Magazine in December 2011, and featured on the Man vs. Food sandwiches segment on The Travel Channel,  Primanti Bros., a Pittsburgh tradition since 1933, is best known for their sandwiches piled high with grilled meat, topped with fresh tomato slices, vinegary slaw and a fistful of french fries, between two slices of Italian bread.  Two new additions to PNC Park include Bridges Burger Company, a made-to-order gourmet burger stand and The Barbecue Pitt, a sandwich stand.  Aramark expanded their menu with some new items, including the Brunch Burger.

A day at one of America’s best baseball stadiums would not be complete without seeing four giant costumed pierogi characters compete between innings in the Great Pierogi Race at PNC Park.  Singing “take me out to the ballgame” is just as much a fan favorite as is rooting for your favorite pierogi, whether it is Jalapeño Hannah, Chester Cheese, Sauerkraut Saul or Oliver Onion.

The Colliers Pittsburgh team

As the Pittsburgh Penguins continue to the third round of the playoffs, Pirates supported their Penguins pride by wearing the team jerseys, such as Lemieux, Cooke and Kunitz, while traveling to Milwaukee and Detroit.  Clint Hurdle, the manager of the Pirates, was given his own customized number 13 Penguins jersey from the NHL franchise.  When the Pirates have their comeback and continue into the playoffs, Penguins have agreed to wear the Pirates jerseys to show their returned support.

Even with the long rain delay, Colliers International | Pittsburgh enjoyed our day together at PNC Park, complete with sports entertainment, beautiful skyline views, and wonderful ballpark food.  But most of all we enjoyed celebrating the big 4-2 win for the Buccos together as a team.