PITTSBURGH | Development Rundown II

[Evergrey]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

The additional factors for evaluating the Schenley bids include the impact on the tax base, and barring an unusual analysis I would think that would favor the residential projects.

Personally, I think PMC should probably get it. They are reasonably good at what they do, what they want to do fills an important need, they shouldn't have any problems completing their proposed project, and they were the highest bidder by a substantial margin.

Agreed. PMC all the way.

[markson33]

I can't imagine that they would approve a charter school that might compete with/take money from the school district, even if it is a specialized use.

[Private D]

I've never been too crazy about transforming old school buildings into apartments/condos. Basically because I think it's very difficult to do it well. From the many conversions I've seen, the apartments/condos usually —... and the interiors of the once proud school buildings are irreparably altered.

I'm sure companies have gotten better at it, and I haven't seen what the Fifth Ave school lofts look like. I just hope PMC can do it right.

[Evergrey]

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/loca...s-at-former-lawrenceville-church-671354/

Pittsburgh Zoning Board of Adjustment approves 57 apartments at former Lawrenceville church

January 21, 2013 10:01 am

By Diana Nelson Jones / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A proposed residential reuse of the former Holy Family Roman Catholic Church, school and parish house on 44th Street in Lawrenceville has gotten the go-ahead from the Pittsburgh Zoning Board of Adjustment.

The decision allows a 57-unit apartment complex with 88 on-site parking spaces.

The church and the school on 44th Street have been vacant for several years.

E Properties and Development CEO Emeka Onwugbenu estimated the renovation will cost about $10.5 million. He said his rents would be from about $1,000 a month for a one-bedroom to $3,000 for a two-story apartment.

His company would own the property and hire a professional company to manage it.

The zoning board consideration included only the proposed reuse -- from institutional to residential -- and the distance between the sidewalk and a parking deck.

Several nearby residents opposed the fact that the project will add rental units and more density to the area. They also expressed concerns about additional traffic.

Representatives of Lawrenceville United, the Lawrenceville Corp., the Lawrenceville Stakeholders and about a dozen others spoke in favor.

Oh no... not renters! There is nothing more loathsome than the "Renter Class"... a pox on every neighborhood they inhabit.

[Private D]

Originally Posted by Evergrey

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/loca...s-at-former-lawrenceville-church-671354/




Oh no... not renters! There is nothing more loathsome than the "Renter Class"... a pox on every neighborhood they inhabit.

Yeah, disgusting plebes those renters are... bringing their poverty and filth to neighborhoods where we own our homes.

Especially when rents are likely 2-3 times higher than a majority of the surrounding mortgage payments. Those destitute renters!

[BrianTH]

NIMBYs are likely to find some reason to oppose almost every proposed apartment project in Pittsburgh's core area for the indefinite future--I hope those interested in seeing the core area increase its population and residential density are prepared for all those fights.

[glowrock]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

NIMBYs are likely to find some reason to oppose almost every proposed apartment project in Pittsburgh's core area for the indefinite future--I hope those interested in seeing the core area increase its population and residential density are prepared for all those fights.

I suggest a low-intensity nuclear weapon specifically targeted at all NIMBY's within a one-mile radius of the specified area.

Aaron (Glowrock)

[Evergrey]

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/news...proposed-reuses-of-schenley-high-671469/

Details available for proposed reuses of Schenley High

January 22, 2013 12:25 pm

Bid packets for the proposed reuse of the former Pittsburgh Schenley High School in Oakland were posted online today.

Fourth River Development, which was hired by the district as its agent to market the historic building and conduct the bid process, posted the information at http://www.frd.us.com/pghschools/schenley.htm.

Last week, school solicitor Ira Weiss opened sealed bids and announced the bid amount from four groups.

The bidders, in the order their packets were opened, are:

• PMC/Schenley HSB Associates, L.P., associated with PMC Property Group, $5.2 million bid. This $36.9 million plan calls for about 175 market rate, luxury apartments with an on-site fitness center. Existing gym would be used, but the potential uses for pool and auditorium are to be determined later.

...

[glowrock]

Originally Posted by Evergrey

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/news...proposed-reuses-of-schenley-high-671469/

Honestly, I don't really have any issues with any of the proposals. I would certainly prefer PMC's offer based upon number of units, but regardless, it's nice to know that such a large, historic building will be saved!

Aaron (Glowrock)

[Topher51]

Originally Posted by Private Dick

I've never been too crazy about transforming old school buildings into apartments/condos. Basically because I think it's very difficult to do it well. From the many conversions I've seen, the apartments/condos usually —... and the interiors of the once proud school buildings are irreparably altered.

I'm sure companies have gotten better at it, and I haven't seen what the Fifth Ave school lofts look like. I just hope PMC can do it right.

Actually, there was an adaptive resuse project done recently of the former South Hills High School on Mt. Washington that won an award at this year's AIA Design Pittsburgh Awards.



Here is a link to the architect's site: http://www.rdarch.com/places_shrr.html

There are no photos of the individual units, but it looks like they did a pretty good job maintaininig some of the original charm of the building, but still made it sleek and modern.

[BrianTH]

The Kossman proposal is interesting insofar as it involves both a school and (student-market) housing component. The school is focused on students with dyslexia, and that may fill a truly unmet need in the area (they state there is no such school anywhere in Western PA). But of course the PMC proposal looks good too.

[chiaroscuro]

Adding homes could be next phase of Station Square development

[Evergrey]

Originally Posted by chiaroscuro

Adding homes could be next phase of Station Square development

This is long overdue. I can only assume Forest City's hostility toward the Pittsburgh market has prevented this from happening... residential is such a natural fit for the property. Residential will only bolster the retail/dining components. Can't wait to see what the new owner envisions for Station Square.

...


in related Forest City news... Liberty Center / Westin up for sale with Starwood as a potential buyer

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/loca...ter-and-westin-hotel-up-for-sale-671418/

[markson33]

I think "hostility" is the wrong word. There are simply greater returns to be had in larger markets.

Residential from 2007-2011 was a pretty tough slog, even for a big company like Forest City. Maybe now that the market is doing better and Pittsburgh rental rates are picking up someone else can make a go of it.

[photoLith]

Well I'm leaving the burg of Pitts and it was awesome. I hope to be moving to your guys fair city in the coming weeks. Thank you Glowrock for the opportunity.

[Private D]

Originally Posted by Topher51

Actually, there was an adaptive resuse project done recently of the former South Hills High School on Mt. Washington that won an award at this year's AIA Design Pittsburgh Awards.

There are no photos of the individual units, but it looks like they did a pretty good job maintaininig some of the original charm of the building, but still made it sleek and modern.

Yeah, I think they did a great job reusing the school, no doubt.... because otherwise it was just going to continue to crumble. I really like the exterior.

I don't have a problem with the idea of reusing old school buildings as residential. It's just that it's very difficult to convert their interiors into luxury apartments/condos without totally destroying the original character of the school's interior. They go crazy with the drywall, and the apts end up just looking rather generic, even though they are in a great old building.

I've actually been inside this rehab of old South Hills High, with my cousin and his grandmother. It's fine for an assisted living facility -- but that is what it looks like... still quite institutional. Other than the large windows (which are nice for lots of natural light, especially for elderly residents), the units look like any other apartment complex's units.

I'm sure these types of projects will improve in their quality (I haven't seen what the Fifth Ave school lofts look like), but it seems that it's a very challenging palate for developers to work with, and thus too expensive and/or impractical to keep much of the original interiors.

[Evergrey]

Originally Posted by Private Dick

I'm sure these types of projects will improve in their quality (I haven't seen what the Fifth Ave school lofts look like), but it seems that it's a very challenging palate for developers to work with, and thus too expensive and/or impractical to keep much of the original interiors.

http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/news/2012/04/23/slideshow-5th-avenue-lofts.html

[Private D]

^ Ask and I shall receive! Thanks, man. Looks pretty nice to me. I'd love to check it out in person sometime.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by markson33

Residential from 2007-2011 was a pretty tough slog, even for a big company like Forest City. Maybe now that the market is doing better and Pittsburgh rental rates are picking up someone else can make a go of it.

PMC started investing in Downtown Pittsburgh residential in 2010, so I don't think you can entirely blame the market. In fact it really seems to me like Forest City lost interest in Pittsburgh after its failed casino bid.

Anyway, hopefully whoever buys Station Square has big plans, including a lot of residential.

[BrianTH]

By the way, the ongoing investment in the Hill District continues to be one of the great overlooked regional stories:

http://triblive.com/news/allegheny/3278956-74/hill-development-district#axzz2IlFYSOIR