PITTSBURGH | Development Rundown II

[Evergrey]

Originally Posted by Private Dick

Del's

All of the Italian restaurants in Bloomfield suck... unless you're really into breaded zucchini planks.

[markson33]

Del's is currently for sale, so it probably won't be that long.

[glowrock]

Originally Posted by Evergrey

All of the Italian restaurants in Bloomfield suck... unless you're really into breaded zucchini planks.

Or really love a huge plate of overcooked spaghetti in "red gravy" that doesn't even begin to resemble marinara in the least bit! Aaron (Glowrock)

[GeneW]

One of the common elements of recent closings of old restaurants here is that none of them seemed to have any windows. None of the old restaurants had any kind of relationship with the street; look at that picture of Gullifty's and look at how uninviting and unfriendly the facade looks. Pittsburghers seemed to have some weird aversion to natural light while dining.

I'm trying to think of a recent restaurant opened in the City of Pittsburgh that doesn't have any windows to the outside world and I can't think of one.

[themaguffin]

The window thing is I think just an oddity of some old school restaurants.

Btw, yes some of those restaurants were tired and crap, but some are ok and do add character(s) to the city.

[ShooFlyPie]

Originally Posted by GeneW

One of the common elements of recent closings of old restaurants here is that none of them seemed to have any windows. None of the old restaurants had any kind of relationship with the street; look at that picture of Gullifty's and look at how uninviting and unfriendly the facade looks. Pittsburghers seemed to have some weird aversion to natural light while dining.

I'm trying to think of a recent restaurant opened in the City of Pittsburgh that doesn't have any windows to the outside world and I can't think of one.

Well that is true about the facade, Gullifties had a large skylights in the seating area that allowed in an abundant amount of natural light (even more if there were windows in the interior at least). I actually think that is one ugly facade.

[Ghost1454]

http://www.pittsburghquarterly.com/index.php/Region/visions-of-pittsburgh-s-future.html

The Fall 2013 issue of Pittsburgh Quarterly has some interesting commentary on Pittsburgh's future.

[Steel City Scotty]

Originally Posted by GeneW

One of the common elements of recent closings of old restaurants here is that none of them seemed to have any windows. None of the old restaurants had any kind of relationship with the street; look at that picture of Gullifty's and look at how uninviting and unfriendly the facade looks. Pittsburghers seemed to have some weird aversion to natural light while dining.

I'm trying to think of a recent restaurant opened in the City of Pittsburgh that doesn't have any windows to the outside world and I can't think of one.

Haha, now that I think about it, two of the three of my favorite "hole-in-the-wall" restaurants that I referenced in an earlier post don't have any windows.

I haven't eaten at too many Italian restaurants in Bloomfield (my favorite spot is Lot 17), but it seems a little sad that Pittsburgh's Little Italy can't offer any good tastes of the country it represents.

[Private Dick]

Originally Posted by Steel City Scotty

I haven't eaten at too many Italian restaurants in Bloomfield (my favorite spot is Lot 17), but it seems a little sad that Pittsburgh's Little Italy can't offer any good tastes of the country it represents.

It seems that is characteristic of most "Little Italys". I don't Pittsburgh's is any worse in that department than most older cities with Italian neighborhoods from days gone by.

Another point about Gullifty's... it has probably one of the most bizarre interiors of any restaurant I've ever been to -- it reminds me of a cafeteria you'd see at a hospital.

[doo dah]

Gullifty's used to be the Guild Theater.



I don't know that there is much you can do in a space like that...I agree with Shooflypie, I don't think this Friendship Circle is the best use of the space.

[doo dah]

By the way, I wanted to mention that the old Frank & Seder Bldg is not only almost completely vacant on the ground floor, but the plaque honoring John P. Harris is gone now too:

[Private Dick]

^ Interesting... though not really indicative of anything one way or another. Full-scale renovation or demolition would require both -- emptying out and removal of the plaque.

[doo dah]

Originally Posted by Private Dick

^ Interesting... though not really indicative of anything one way or another. Full-scale renovation or demolition would require both -- emptying out and removal of the plaque.

Yeah, I guess i just wasn't expecting it. I haven't noticed if the Radio Shack and sports store are gone on Forbes, Payless Shoes on the Fifth Ave side is closed, but I don't remember if the clothing store or convenience store are. Will try to have a look this weekend. (Looking at Google Streetview - Ralph's! Ha!)

[DKNewYork]

Originally Posted by Private Dick

^ Interesting... though not really indicative of anything one way or another. Full-scale renovation or demolition would require both -- emptying out and removal of the plaque.

But if Oxford had decided on demolition, wouldn't they already have petitioned the City Planning Commission for permission to demolish the building? Maybe this is indicative of an intention to renovate, which would be great news.

[popstar]

I noticed some digging going on in the entrance to East Liberty (along Penn Ave on the other side of where the awful apt building used to be that spanned Penn). Curious to see how that shapes up. Something still looks odd to me, though, about this entrance to East Liberty - kind of like you're entering through a little tube. I think some additional buildup along some of the parking lots around Penn Circle will help... perhaps on the other side of the McDonalds and then maybe a couple buildings with additional height between Penn Ave and Whole Foods. Any news of additional plans for these portions of Penn Circle?

[Johnland]

I thought I saw an old theater under the street exterior of Guliftys. That explains the suspended walkway over the dining room from the parking lot entrance.

I agree with OP that the interior has seen better days. I remember going a few years ago and being very disappointed in the food compared to what I thought it was in its heyday.

The social center, or what ever it is, sounds great, but also very boring. Too bad that space couldn't be used more dramatically, like for another restaurant or a bar that would attract nightlife.

[markson33]

Drove by the corner of Centre & N. Craig today. The pharmacy definitely has a faux second story on it, with windows. That's better than nothing, but it's still a shame.

[Jonboy1983]

Originally Posted by markson33

Drove by the corner of Centre & N. Craig today. The pharmacy definitely has a faux second story on it, with windows. That's better than nothing, but it's still a shame.

Definitely. Very poor use for the space all around. Very suburban in site design and structure design.

[chucka]

A new proposal for One Grandview. It is a complete redesign. Looks very boxy...

http://www.scribd.com/doc/165216831/One-Grandview-Community-Review-Meeting-9-10-13

[glowrock]

It may be boxy yet it's still a pretty interesting design overall. I actually don't mind it in the least bit!

Aaron (Glowrock)