The Wash House is an example of the Romanesque Revival style with its massing, springing arches, and recessed entrance. Although this building joined several other bath houses in Pittsburgh, it was the first of its kind to offer laundry facilities in Pittsburgh, and in fact was only the third public wash house in the United States. For perspective, New York City opened their first public wash facility (the People’s Washing and Bathing Association at 141-143 Mott Street) in 1852 while it wasn’t until 1918 that Chicago constructed a bath house with laundry facilities.