Co-working company Beauty Shoppe has transformed a historic building in Pittsburgh into one its collaborative workspaces, adding contemporary furniture while retaining characterful details.

The Pitt Building is a three-storey, landmarked brick structure in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Beauty Shoppe, also based in the city, renovated the top floors of the 100-year-old building and carefully restored its original features.

Encompassing a foyer, a boardroom and phone booths, and a spacious lounge, the project joins Beauty Shoppe's collection of co-working projects in the US. These include a branch in Cleveland, which occupies a similarly historic building and includes a public cafe.

The Pitt Building features white wall and window frames, and high ceilings that make the central work area feel spacious and bright.

Two curved pink couches are the focal point of the main room and are arranged with their backs against each other. Smaller chairs, plants and a collection of tables decorate the space.

Pieces of furniture were sourced from local craftsman Zach Kruszynski of Bones and All, including tables in the lounge, the conference room table, and desks. The studio similarly provided custom booths and tables for the Cleveland location.

The main work area also features a bar-like counter with pink cushioned stools, and two larger work tables at one end. Beyond are dark-painted phone booths, appearing as closets with mirrored doors.

As a designated landmark, Pitt Building's interiors had to be carefully restored rather than stripped of their details. Beauty Shoppe therefore retained features like pillars in the grand entrance hall, dentil moulding and other decorative panelling.

The crisp white Grecian-style pillars line the wide hallway, with three brass chandeliers inspired by the work of New York designer Lindsey Adelman joined together overhead. A collection of white globe bulbs and metallic strings dangle from the fixtures' branch-like rods.

Off the hall, the boardroom features dark green wainscoting, with twelve brass armchairs around a large black table. A matching brass light fixture above has 10 clear globes hung in two parallel rows.

Other designs made of brass and warm-toned metals are found throughout the space, including coffee and side tables, chairs and lamps, and other smaller details.

The Pitt Building by Beauty Shoppe is one of many recently completed co-working spaces in the US, which are springing up in response to changing work habits.

Other boutique locations or small chains, competing with industry giant WeWork, include Canopy – which opened a second location in San Francisco earlier this year – and A/D/O in Brooklyn, as well as a host targeted specifically at women.

Photography is by Alexandra Ribar of Beauty Shoppe.