A Tour Of The Former Macy's Downtown Store (Kaufmann's Flagship Store)

Read description before watching!
[Recorded 9/6/15 with Patricknedz] I guess this might count as part two of a video I done of the store back on August 15th of 2015 when I was with Evan (AKA KZbin user "EvMast Productions"). Here's the link to that video:
• Pittsburgh: Urbex Sess...
So away let me continue with the description...
In this video I edited we say our farewells and goodbyes to the former Macy's/Kaufmann's store in downtown Pittsburgh. A little history lesson for yinz (that's Pittsburgher talk for "ya'll"). In 1871 Edgar J. Kauffman founded the first Kaufmann's store on the south side of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania; which was originally a men's clothing store. In either 1877 or 1887 the store later moved to the corner of Fifth Avenue and Simthfield Street. In 1898 the store later expanded to Forbes Aveune. In 1913 the original either 1877 or 1887 building on the corner of Smithfield and Fifth was demolished and rebuilded.
In 1929 [due to a major flood that happened at the time] the place went under a major renovation which included the installation of wooden escalators made by Otis (also more to add; not only that, but the installation of several Otis Single-Controlled elevators; which I believe the cabs were still original to then when they were converted to autotronic). In 1953-'55 another major renovation and an addition which included new stainless steel escalators and newly automated elevators. In 2006 Kaufmann's was bought out by the New York company R.H. Macy's Company.
This store holds a place in my heart and it was my most favorite department store. I sure wish this store was open a little longer. Too bad the company that is redeveloping the whole city of Pittsburgh is an asshole!
As a bonus we also get to get a little look of the abandoned/vacant floors in this building including floor 12 which I finally got to see where the Kaufmann's old executive offices and stuff were.

[@benjamindeforest9363]

I loved this video. I am 64 now. My mom did not drive when we lived in Pittsburgh and we would take the bus up route 51 from Pleasant Hills to go downtown. It was a wonderland of skyscrapers, traffic, people, and just energy. The early 1960s and I am a small child. I can still remember sitting at that counter at the TicToc Cafe with my mom. Thank you for capturing that before it was gone.

[@NathanDavisVideos]

You're welcome!

[@JosephPratt1986]

This is fantastic. I remember shopping at both Macy's and Kaufmann's when the stores were in Downtown Pittsburgh. I ate at the Tic Toc Restaurant a few times in my younger days.

[@NathanDavisVideos]

I remember Kaufmann's too. Although I didn't visit the downtown store when it was STILL a Kaufmann's, I still liked Kaufmann's WAAAY BETTER than Macy's.

[@NathanDavisVideos]

The Kaufmann's store I'm familiar with the most was the one at Ross Park Mall, and the one up in Erie at Millcreek Mall.

[@jjryan1352]

Half a world and decades away, I still remember walking in the lobby was like entering a fancy New York City building. The lobby was so charming and quaint. Of course the elevators and escaltors bring back memories too.

[@NurseSue425]

Back in the day this was my happy place.

[@NathanDavisVideos]

Sure wish it was still around now; and STILL a Kaufmann's as well. It most likely would have stayed fully opened (with ALL THE FLOORS) if May Company wasn't bought-out by R.H. Macy's Co. as well as Federated Department Stores.

[@davidgrowden769]

wow I remember when you could go up all floors. I grew up in the south hills this place will always hold a special place in my heart.

[@joannakapsha4199]

I really miss when it was Kaufmann’s. I wish Kaufmann’s still exist. I think they should’ve kept Macy’s by remodeling TicToc and bakery and remodeling 2 or 3 floors for other departments and selling or renting above floors to rent out as offices or other independently small non franchise businesses

[@NathanDavisVideos]

TBH... I wish they would have stuck to the plan of downsizing the store to only 4 floors instead of completely shuttering it. Then I'm pretty sure that hidden Schindler MT 300A (the one that Ryan Rediy filmed) would have actually stood a little longer.

[@kodidodd5486]

building looks so different now on the inside

[@luckystarlyndle]

Great video. This building and the Gimbles building was epic. I loved going to both and just going everywhere. The two basements were loaded with stuff back in the day. So was the Gimbles bargain basements. Great places that will never be the same. Happy we got to experience them growing up.

[@NathanDavisVideos]

Sure wish I was around to see Gimbles when it was still in operation. Too bad that place closed 6 years before I was born. Say didn't Gimbles also had a sub-basement?

[@luckystarlyndle]

+Nathan Andrew Davis (Bantam Jeep Elevators) Yes, if I remember correctly... You went down so far then you went down more steps and it was another basement area. Tons of merchandise. I remember tones of clothes and shoes. I can remember being on that sort of mid landing part and finding this workout outfit I saw somebody wearing on TV. I wanted it so bad lol! But it was so expensive. I was like 16 years old. Gimbles was great. Wish you could have saw it. It had this big candy area on the ground floor and you could smell the peanuts. It was like Kaufmanns. It went on forever. Merchandise galore on each floor. I never rode the elevators but I'd ride the escalators to the 13th floor. I don't remember the eating place on the 13th though. I just remember riding the escalators to those top floors. I don't think they had woods. I on,y recall riding the wooden escalators at Kaufmanns. Gimbles used to decorate their windows so pretty for Christmas.

[@luckystarlyndle]

+Nathan Andrew Davis (Bantam Jeep Elevators) It would be so busy at holiday time. When it changed to Burlington they only used a few floors. The basement was still used but not all of it. I was never in it when it changed to Saks Fifth Ave. not sure what they used of it. Gimbles, Kaufmanns and Hornes were so awesome to go to back then. I would love to go back in time and experience them again especially with a video camera. Oh, one more thing about Gimbels...it had this vintage lighting...you'd prob know all about it if you'd see it but no other store had the look it did.

[@RF-vg5kv]

I worked there in early 2000s when it was Kaufmans and remember going there as a kid . Very sad to see such a iconic place close.

[@NathanDavisVideos]

And now from what I'm beginning to hear; the place is now abandoned like they postponed the project.

[@yaywhewclips242]

Kaufmann's bought our local Sibley's chain. Then MAcy's took over and ruined it. K was a nice store, good sales

[@EWPA14]

Jared & I individually rode the new elevators. The hotel 1s are 3300 with FI GS.

[@NathanDavisVideos]

Oh really?!!! Link to video please!

[@EWPA14]

Sorry but they haven’t even been filmed yet. As the hotel’s not open yet, we were told not to film, but could ride. Jared said to message him on FB for video proof.

[@EWPA14]

Here check Skype I’m sending you something.

[@MelancoliaI]

Did you guys just walk in? Could you do that i n 2015? Awesome footage, just confused

[@NathanDavisVideos]

Well it WAS a department store originally. They didn't convert the place to condos/apartments until later on.

[@OnyxDash]

Stuff Goes To Century III & Then To Logan Valley

[@NathanDavisVideos]

Oh the irony!

[@joannakapsha4199]

Do you have any footage when it was Kaufmann’s

[@NathanDavisVideos]

I wish I did. Unfortunately I don't think I can find any footage of this store when it was still Kaufmann's. At least; for now...

[@OnyxDash]

i was there when you filmed

[@jimrootismypresident3067]

why r there a bunch of elevators in the same hall lol

[@NathanDavisVideos]

It's an OLD SCHOOL department store; they were known to have that (especially the old downtown ones -- like this one.)

[@EWPA14]

Can you please remove my last name from the description? As if you search my full name, it draws attention to these videos, & I don’t like that.

[@NathanDavisVideos]

I have removed your last name from the description. You're welcome. Sorry about that.

[@EWPA14]

Alright. Thanks for doing that!

[@earthmama10]

Thanks for the tour. Wish you could have seen the wooden escalators.

[@NathanDavisVideos]

+earthmama10 You're welcome Debie!

[@OPG2711]

5959th view :).