PITTSBURGH | Development Rundown II - Page 136

glowrock · #**2701** Posted **Jan 30, 2013, 6:01 PM**

^^^

I was wondering the same thing. I keep on hearing that the renovation/redevelopment of the Garden Block is forthcoming, but I haven't seen any real progress on it. Hopefully things are happening behind the scenes and just aren't visible from the street as of yet!

Aaron (Glowrock)

BrianTH · #**2702** Posted **Jan 30, 2013, 6:24 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by CubicalRebel

What is the status on the renovation of this block? I read about this years ago. Is there demo work going on right now as indicated with the scaffolding and gates in front of the Garden Theater?

Last I knew:

The developer had been selected

Letters of intent were being signed with tenants

A switch from a single-phase to multi-phase schedule was approved

The site was successfully incorporated in the Mexican War Streets Historic District (allowing it to qualify for certain tax credits but also making it subject to various development rules)

Stabilization and demo work began

Nakama and Piccolo Forno signed actual leases

Actual construction was supposed to start around now, and the restaurants should be opening later this year.

Personally, I agree it is a bit frustrating it is taking a while, and things like the switch to a multi-phase plan and the historic designation are part of that. However, I also think this is a project more worth doing right than doing fast, so I won't mind the pace too much as long as it does keep moving forward and the results are good.

Austinlee · #**2703** Posted **Jan 30, 2013, 6:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by glowrock

Wow, those are some pretty amazing (and expensive!) townhomes that they're about to build! Talk about being priced WAY over the local market, though...

Of course with those views, I think the costs are very well-justified!

Aaron (Glowrock)

Probably the same as Granview Ave pricing. Million dollar homes townhouses but they look like 200s from the front. No suprise there.

Austinlee · #**2704** Posted **Jan 30, 2013, 7:04 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianTH

It is called variously the Pittsburgh Information Technology Center, the Pittsburgh Tech Center, the Tech Center Bunker, etc. These links explain a bit how it is being used these days:

http://www.loopnet.com/Listing/16591934/322-Fourth-Avenue-Pittsburgh-PA/

http://www.evbco.com/PITC.html

Here is a little about the building, originally the Keystone Bank:

http://www.phlf.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/Fourth-Avenue-Tour-2011.pdf

For more on the bank's early history and the construction and design of the building see here:

http://books.google.com/books?id=WEXPAAA...e%20bank%20322%20fourth%20avenue&f=false

Early rendering from that source:

Amazing. (the original) That building really needs a "Renaissance Hotel" renovation. I'm guessing it would cost around $20million which is a lot in Pittbburgh money. haha. The Renaissance cost $45 million in 2001 dollars (source:http://old.post-gazette.com/neigh_city/20010313hotel2.asp) of course being a much bigger building though. They are also doing another $5 million upgrade to it again. So lots of money in restoring these old towers.

http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/ne...-pittsburgh-is-sold.html?s=image_gallery

photoLith · #**2705** Posted **Jan 30, 2013, 7:08 PM**

Id figure to restore that building it would cost a good 10 mil easy.

BrianTH · #**2706** Posted **Jan 30, 2013, 8:34 PM**

If that side of Downtown does take off, it could be worth the investment.

Jonboy1983 · #**2707** Posted **Jan 30, 2013, 9:18 PM**

Thanks for all that information on the Pittsburgh Tech Center. I'm glad that I'm not the only one who thinks that building is in massive need of a make-over! That filled-in court isn't doing this building any justice. With so much of the original detail in architecture still very much in tact, that bricked-over court light along with the other bricked-over windows just look awful! I totally agree that if this part of Downtown takes off, that any investment in this building would definitely be worth it -- and necessary!!

Regarding those townhomes in West End, holy hell! I thought San Francisco was on the other side of the country!

kennypip · #**2708** Posted **Jan 30, 2013, 9:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Austinlee

Amazing. (the original) That building really needs a "Renaissance Hotel" renovation. I'm guessing it would cost around $20million which is a lot in Pittbburgh money. haha. The Renaissance cost $45 million in 2001 dollars (source:http://old.post-gazette.com/neigh_city/20010313hotel2.asp) of course being a much bigger building though. They are also doing another $5 million upgrade to it again. So lots of money in restoring these old towers.

http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/ne...-pittsburgh-is-sold.html?s=image_gallery

The renaisance hotel had the second largest copper restoration project in the nation next to the statue of liberty. That may have added to the cost.

Found5dollar · #**2709** Posted **Jan 31, 2013, 7:04 PM**

I just walked by the site of the new CMU nano-technology center ( or whatever it is called now). They have cleared all the brush and it looks like some earth moving has begun.

Austinlee · #**2710** Posted **Jan 31, 2013, 8:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kennypip

The renaisance hotel had the second largest copper restoration project in the nation next to the statue of liberty. That may have added to the cost.

Interesting.

BrianTH · #**2711** Posted **Feb 1, 2013, 12:12 PM**

Chevron appears to have settled on Moon for the location of its regional HQ:

http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/pr.../chevron-exploring-moon-for-new-hub.html

Assuming that holds up, it removes them from contention for being the anchor tenant in possible Downtown projects like Oxford's Plan A high rise (which is actually fine with me, since I prefer Oxford's Plan B renovation of the existing building).

ShooFlyPie · #**2712** Posted **Feb 1, 2013, 1:13 PM**

Yay! Another Corporate office park for Moon! I guess Moon makes the obvious choice with the connection to the airport. But public trans to the city from the airport would be far greater than office parks building around the airport.

glowrock · #**2713** Posted **Feb 1, 2013, 2:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianTH

Chevron appears to have settled on Moon for the location of its regional HQ:

http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/pr.../chevron-exploring-moon-for-new-hub.html

Assuming that holds up, it removes them from contention for being the anchor tenant in possible Downtown projects like Oxford's Plan A high rise (which is actually fine with me, since I prefer Oxford's Plan B renovation of the existing building).

Oh joy...

Chevron was definitely one of the best hopes for a new tower downtown, no doubt about it.

Aaron (Glowrock)

Topher51 · #**2714** Posted **Feb 1, 2013, 2:34 PM**

I have seen a lot of talk on here about residential development around Station Square, but I don't remember seeing anyone post about this project yet.

Whiskey Barrel Flats

http://thewhiskeybarrelflats.weebly.com/

Desmone Associates will be the architect. My firm (WBCM) will be doing the structural work. Fingers crossed that it will be my project.

ShooFlyPie · #**2715** Posted **Feb 1, 2013, 2:50 PM**

Very cool. That area of Carson needs the most infill. This will be a cool restoration. It should is nice to be a part of cool local projects like this.

Evergrey · #**2716** Posted **Feb 1, 2013, 3:13 PM**

Thanks for informing us of that project, Topher.

glowrock · #**2717** Posted **Feb 1, 2013, 3:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by CubicalRebel

Very cool. That area of Carson needs the most infill. This will be a cool restoration. It should is nice to be a part of cool local projects like this.

Awesome! I agree, this part of Carson needs some pretty major overhauls, and this restoration can hopefully be successful enough to spur additional reinvestment into the area between Station Square and roughly 10th St.!

Aaron (Glowrock)

Private Dick · #**2718** Posted **Feb 1, 2013, 3:42 PM**

Thanks, Topher. Very nice to see. Didn't know anything about this project, and I've always wondered about the history of that building. I lived just down the street on Cabot Way in the late 90s and still own a couple rowhouses there; always thought that building, and the neighborhood in general, could become a cool residential enclave with close access to Station Square/Downtown. Given the building's design, I figured it was built as some sort of storage facility, but finding out that it was a whiskey warehouse makes it that much cooler.

designer3d712 · #**2719** Posted **Feb 1, 2013, 4:02 PM**

The Bar Room Manager told one of my friends that they will be shutting down soon, and Whim will be staying until their lease is up. My friend also mentioned something about Hotels, so maybe we will be hearing about something soon unless something was already posted here and I missed it.

Austinlee · #**2720** Posted **Feb 1, 2013, 4:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Topher51

I have seen a lot of talk on here about residential development around Station Square, but I don't remember seeing anyone post about this project yet.

Whiskey Barrel Flats

http://thewhiskeybarrelflats.weebly.com/

Desmone Associates will be the architect. My firm (WBCM) will be doing the structural work. Fingers crossed that it will be my project.

Awesome. Cute little brick building. Rooftop parties like woah!