PITTSBURGH | Development Rundown II - Page 285

Austinlee · #**5681** Posted **Oct 19, 2013, 2:12 PM**

3700 Butler Street, built by Ford Motor Co. 102 years ago.
For sale in Lawrenceville for 1.5 million. I don't think it has a buyer yet but here is the planned rendering for a potential rehab.

BrianTH · #**5682** Posted **Oct 19, 2013, 5:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Austinlee

3700 Butler Street, built by Ford Motor Co. 102 years ago.

I love buildings like that. Hopefully it is used for a nice project.

George Woods · #**5683** Posted **Oct 19, 2013, 8:45 PM**

That apartment building on Butler is getting bigger. Pretty cool how substantial it'll be.

Also in Doughboy Square, a cool, old, single-screen, silent theater (the former Penn Theater) that's been all walled up with cinder-blocks for years is getting worked on. A yoga-studio has been in it for a while, taking advantage of the openness of the former auditorium, but now they're actually opening up the front of the building for a separate, commercial use. I hope they can take the blue paint off of the terra cotta—there are some great little details. Apparently, the theater was owned by Jews and had one seating-area for men, and a separate one for women. Neat.

doo dah · #**5684** Posted **Oct 19, 2013, 10:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by George Woods

...Also in Doughboy Square, a cool, old, single-screen, silent theater (the former Penn Theater) that's been all walled up with cinder-blocks for years is getting worked on. A yoga-studio has been in it for a while, taking advantage of the openness of the former auditorium, but now they're actually opening up the front of the building for a separate, commercial use. I hope they can take the blue paint off of the terra cotta—there are some great little details. Apparently, the theater was owned by Jews and had one seating-area for men, and a separate one for women. Neat.

Oh that is interesting, I just figured that building was on old store!
I see there is an entry in Cinema Treasures for the Penn Theater:
http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/33030
From the comments, it seems they thought it was the building at 3410 Penn, which has a decidedly deco flavor.

Minivan Werner · #**5685** Posted **Oct 19, 2013, 11:24 PM**

Had no idea that was a silent movie theater, that's awesome.

Austinlee · #**5686** Posted **Oct 20, 2013, 12:25 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by minivan werner

had no idea that was a silent movie theater, that's awesome.

shhhhhh!

photoLith · #**5687** Posted **Oct 20, 2013, 12:31 AM**

I really hope that 3700 butler st gets restored, I drive by that building everyday and it could really be a little art deco jewel.

Austinlee · #**5688** Posted **Oct 20, 2013, 12:51 AM**

TIME FOR MY DOUGHBOY SQUARE GIANT BONER POST!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by George Woods

That apartment building on Butler is getting bigger. Pretty cool how substantial it'll be.

That particular Doughboy Square building is downright AWESOME. Not to mention the several other townhouse renovations going on around it. It went from ashy to classy, right quick.

The large "mid-rise" condominium building to the right of the "keystone project" of the connected townhomes:

Aerial context:

Outdated renders of the group of townhomes??!?

Townhome Flickr pics, UNDER CONSTRUCTION!!

Retail/Mixed use to the left of the townhouse grouping. A dose of modernism.

The unique triangle intersection that this is all based on. A WWI "Doughboy" fighter in front of a GORGEOUS architects office:

Evergrey · #**5689** Posted **Oct 20, 2013, 11:09 AM**

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/busi...thfield-street-a-grand-boulevard-708310/

Quote:

Bill Peduto wants to make Pittsburgh's Smithfield Street a 'grand boulevard'

The mayoral candidate's vision includes local boutiques, small shops, new sidewalks, lamp posts, bike lanes and more

October 20, 2013 12:14 am

By Mark Belko / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Local boutiques, small shops, new sidewalks and lamp posts, perhaps even a dedicated lane for bicyclists.

It's all part of city councilman Bill Peduto's vision for Smithfield Street, the 11-block thoroughfare -- even longer if you count the bridge over the Monongahela River that bears its name -- that cuts through the heart of Downtown.

"I want to make Smithfield Street from Station Square to the convention center a grand boulevard of Pittsburgh, bring in small shops and boutiques from all throughout Western Pennsylvania and give them a presence on a Downtown location that becomes a calling card," Mr. Peduto, the Democratic nominee for mayor and prohibitive favorite in next month's election, said in a recent interview.

His timing may be perfect.

Smithfield is already very much a street in transition, with the proposed redevelopment of the former Saks Fifth Avenue building, a new hotel occupying the upper half of the Henry W. Oliver Building, the conversion of the former Lord & Taylor department store into a PNC call center, and the restoration of Mellon Square Park, which should be completed next spring.

...

Shawn Fox, director of business development and marketing for Oxford, said the company plans to seek tax increment financing, or TIF, in redeveloping 441 Smithfield, the seven-story property that borders Forbes and Fifth avenues.

Oxford is considering two options for the site -- a new $238 million, 33-story skyscraper or a $40 million renovation of the existing building there. Mr. Fox declined to say how much of a TIF the company would be seeking, but noted the amount would vary depending on the chosen option. TIF involves diverting for a period of years a portion of the tax revenue generated by a development to help pay for improvements in support of it.

...

photoLith · #**5690** Posted **Oct 20, 2013, 1:55 PM**

I can't wait for peduto to make a real difference in this city

bmust71 · #**5691** Posted **Oct 20, 2013, 2:01 PM**

Upcoming Downtown projects renovate, invigorate:
http://triblive.com/aande/architecture/4868435-74/wood-buildings-downtown#axzz2iGphlssT

Good read on Smithfield. A similar article here on Wood Street from the trib

Found5dollar · #**5692** Posted **Oct 20, 2013, 3:49 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Austinlee

TIME FOR MY DOUGHBOY SQUARE GIANT BONER POST!!

I never even knew this square existed. I have ot go visit it now.

Quote:

Outdated renders of the group of townhomes??!?

It looks like this is a different development that is closer to the statue then the first development you posted.

Found5dollar · #**5693** Posted **Oct 20, 2013, 3:55 PM**

They had a new stakeholders meeting about the BRT line from downtown to Oakland at the end of September. There is a power point with the new developments and plans.

http://gettherepgh.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Stakeholder-Meeting-8-2013-09-25.pdf

I am personally a fan of the "Fifth ave curb bus lanes", "main coriodor BRT", and the Steel Plaza loop. All of these will turn it into a true rapisd transit line if they can get off board fare collection going.

Austinlee · #**5694** Posted **Oct 20, 2013, 7:25 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Found5dollar

I never even knew this square existed. I have ot go visit it now.

It looks like this is a different development that is closer to the statue then the first development you posted.

Those two pictures I posted of the nearly completed new townhouses ARE the end result of the original rendering that shows the 5 townhomes. Technically they are exactly the same as that drawing however, in my opinion they ended up looking a lot more traditional and "original" than the colorless drawing which looks a little more modern.
On second look now it's just the roofs that kinda tricked me.

Austinlee · #**5695** Posted **Oct 20, 2013, 10:00 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evergrey

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/busi...thfield-street-a-grand-boulevard-708310/

Smithfield Street really is one of the greatest streets in downtown. ALWAYS full of pedestrians. Lots of great sites and smells when you walk down it. It's very pleasant, a great street to enjoy walking on.

Years ago, I used to walk down it, grab a gyro at Zorba's Greek restaurant, head down to this arcade and play some videogames. From there you could head over to news stands to buy anything you need or stop at that "USA Donuts" or Duncan Donuts and sit at that window mounted bar on a stool to do some people watching. Or listen to some buskers singing along to a beatbox or someone playing a saxophone. Walk on over to Mellon Square park and sit by one of the many fountains spraying water, watch stoned students playing hacky sack and messing around and look straight up at the amazing skyline on all sides.

That's just a description off the top of my head!

Steel City Scotty · #**5696** Posted **Oct 20, 2013, 11:25 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Austinlee

Smithfield Street really is one of the greatest streets in downtown. ALWAYS full of pedestrians. Lots of great sites and smells when you walk down it. It's very pleasant, a great street to enjoy walking on.

Years ago, I used to walk down it, grab a gyro at Zorba's Greek restaurant, head down to this arcade and play some videogames. From there you could head over to news stands to buy anything you need or stop at that "USA Donuts" or Duncan Donuts and sit at that window mounted bar on a stool to do some people watching. Or listen to some buskers singing along to a beatbox or someone playing a saxophone. Walk on over to Mellon Square park and sit by one of the many fountains spraying water, watch stoned students playing hacky sack and messing around and look straight up at the amazing skyline on all sides.

That's just a description off the top of my head!

My wife and I have been attending the Smithfield United Church of Christ (featured in the picture above) when we come to the city every other month. We park in the garage across the street (which only costs $1 after being validated by the greeters at the church).

Next time I'm in town, I'll have to take a walk down the rest of the street following the service. Austin's description certainly conjured up some images.

Private Dick · #**5697** Posted **Oct 21, 2013, 3:19 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steel City Scotty

We park in the garage across the street (which only costs $1 after being validated by the greeters at the church).

Behold the awesome power of the LORD!

Private Dick · #**5698** Posted **Oct 21, 2013, 3:22 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Austinlee

Smithfield Street really is one of the greatest streets in downtown. ALWAYS full of pedestrians. Lots of great sites and smells when you walk down it. It's very pleasant, a great street to enjoy walking on.

Years ago, I used to walk down it, grab a gyro at Zorba's Greek restaurant, head down to this arcade and play some videogames. From there you could head over to news stands to buy anything you need or stop at that "USA Donuts" or Duncan Donuts and sit at that window mounted bar on a stool to do some people watching. Or listen to some buskers singing along to a beatbox or someone playing a saxophone. Walk on over to Mellon Square park and sit by one of the many fountains spraying water, watch stoned students playing hacky sack and messing around and look straight up at the amazing skyline on all sides.

That's just a description off the top of my head!

There also used to be a joint called Live Nudes near Smithfield & Liberty. A teenage favorite of mine.

photoLith · #**5699** Posted **Oct 21, 2013, 3:55 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Private Dick

Behold the awesome power of the LORD!

Jesus saves!

Steel City Scotty · #**5700** Posted **Oct 21, 2013, 4:03 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by photoLith

Jesus saves!

Haha, I'm sure you guys are just being facetious, but it's actually a really cool church.

UCC is a very progressive, liberal-minded denomination, welcoming everyone to attend worship without the antiquated "hell, fire and brimstone" attitude of "No Blacks! No Gays! No Women!"

Last time I attended, I ended up sitting next to a man dressed in a woman's pink cat costume for the duration of the service...