PITTSBURGH | Development Rundown II

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by themaguffin

So the Lower Hill project will start, but what is the actual proposed project going to look like? I don't think I've seen much other than the early rendering that wasn't a real plan.

The Penguins were on the cusp of releasing an actual development plan late last year, but then they hit serious community opposition and went back to the drawing board. So, no one (except insiders) knows for sure what they are planning at this point.

[Minivan Werner]

I think the street grid is fairly set in stone, if nothing else.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by Minivan Werner

I think the street grid is fairly set in stone, if nothing else.

Yes, although the street plan has some pedestrian paths tentatively planned that may depend on the development plan for the relevant blocks.

[Gilamonster]

Lil' help here. What is the development planned for the long stretch of land that is between 2nd Ave and the river and essentially bordered by the Hot Metal Bridge. It's a big sized piece of land. What was there? Was it not some old junky industrial buildings?

[Jonboy1983]

Originally Posted by Gilamonster

Lil' help here. What is the development planned for the long stretch of land that is between 2nd Ave and the river and essentially bordered by the Hot Metal Bridge. It's a big sized piece of land. What was there? Was it not some old junky industrial buildings?

Ummm... Yeah, LTV Steel...

[daviderik]

Here's a unique angle on the ongoing construction of The Tower at PNC Plaza


Photo: Post Gazette

[Private Dick]

Originally Posted by Gilamonster

Lil' help here. What is the development planned for the long stretch of land that is between 2nd Ave and the river and essentially bordered by the Hot Metal Bridge. It's a big sized piece of land. What was there? Was it not some old junky industrial buildings?

This site? If so, Almono.


As Jonboy said, it used to be occupied by LTV. But probably better known in Pittbsurgh history as LTV's predecessor on that site, the J&L Hazelwood Works. This place was still going in the late 90s. Just 25 years ago, Pittsburgh was a place many of you would find very, very different.

[Brentsters]

Originally Posted by daviderik

Here's a unique angle on the ongoing construction of The Tower at PNC Plaza

Photo: Post Gazette

Very comforting they have someone inspecting the ceiling.

[George Woods]

^
HA!

After reading your post, I thought, "Huh?" I went back to the photo to investigate. It was like a real-life "Where's Waldo?" Delightful. Good eye.

[BrianTH]

Here is the website for the ALMONO project, with an interactive map that lets you see the development concept for different sections:

http://almono.org/map

[bmust71]

Originally Posted by Brentsters

Very comforting they have someone inspecting the ceiling.

Are you referring to the guy on his hands and knees or the one taking a nap a floor above?

[BrianTH]

This article suggests there are in fact other bidders for the August Wilson Center's building beside the previously-reported group of local foundations, but that they are still undisclosed:

http://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/g...veals-identity-plans/Content?oid=1744535

[BrianTH]

Article about Whiskey Barrel Flats, and also the possibility of future residential development in that area:

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2...ansform-into-condos/stories/201404160061

[Jonboy1983]

Originally Posted by Private Dick

This site? If so, Almono.


As Jonboy said, it used to be occupied by LTV. But probably better known in Pittbsurgh history as LTV's predecessor on that site, the J&L Hazelwood Works. This place was still going in the late 90s. Just 25 years ago, Pittsburgh was a place many of you would find very, very different.

I remember coming down Becks Run Rd on my way to Oakland for a diabetes appt with my dad at Childrens Hospital and seeing nothing but smoke stacks and mill buildings across the river. I believe that works and the two smaller LTV units further down river all closed in 1998. There was also a large J&L plant right up against Carson Street that was torn down circa 1990 or 1991. I remember that being a big ugly yellow building with a rail line jutting off from the NS tracks and eventually crossing the Mon at what is now a vehicular Hot Metal bridge...

Originally Posted by bmust71

Are you referring to the guy on his hands and knees or the one taking a nap a floor above?

I'm not sure if it's just me, but that has to be one uncomfortable mattress!!

[BrianTH]

News on BKSQ 2.0 and other Walnut projects in the area:

http://www.post-gazette.com/business/201...kery-Square-project/stories/201404170134

Should be a busy year for the site:

The first 175 apartments in a complex dubbed Bakery Living will be ready in June, with rents ranging from $1,150 for a studio to $3,200 for a 1,544-square-foot two-bedroom. One bedrooms and loft units also are available. About 50 units have been leased so far, Mr. Reidbord said.

Construction of the townhouses is expected to start this summer, with another round of apartment building scheduled for the fall.

The first of the two office buildings should be finished by the end of 2015. Construction of the second will start as “interest warrants it,” Mr. Reidbord said.

[BrianTH]

By the way, not to sound like a cranky old man, but it seems like every "groundbreaking" ceremony these days either occurs way before the ground is broken, or in fact well after:

http://bakerysquare.no-ip.biz:8080/view/viewer_index.shtml?id=482

I guess they are working around politicians' schedules.

As another random aside--we briefly discussed above whether they would have to discount the new apartments to get people to rent them while the rest of the site was under construction, and according to this article they seem to be pre-leasing at a decent clip without doing so.

It occurred to me one thing worth noting is that the angle and lens they are using for that live construction cam makes it look like the new apartment building is way off in the middle of a muddy field. But in person, it seems much, much closer to Penn Avenue, and the park on the eastern side is also much more prominent.

[Topher51]

Originally Posted by Private Dick

This site? If so, Almono.


As Jonboy said, it used to be occupied by LTV. But probably better known in Pittbsurgh history as LTV's predecessor on that site, the J&L Hazelwood Works. This place was still going in the late 90s. Just 25 years ago, Pittsburgh was a place many of you would find very, very different.

After and Before. BTW, Almono is a new name. Short for: ALleghenny-MONongahela-Ohio

[BrianTH]

Excellent news:

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2...ugust-Wilson-Center/stories/201404170269
http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/5967384-74/center-million-fitzgerald#axzz2zBwuRGxP

Apparently a "local developer" has offered $9.5M for the AWC building, with the plan being to use the air rights to build up (likely for a hotel), while reserving rent-free space for the AWC to continue operations below.

That is a win all around as far as I am concerned. It would even help out the convention center (if in fact it was used for a hotel).

[daviderik]

Iron Worker Relaxes on I-Beam at the Top of PNC Plaza

Photo: Pittsburgh Magazine

[AaronPGH]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

Excellent news:

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2...ugust-Wilson-Center/stories/201404170269
http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/5967384-74/center-million-fitzgerald#axzz2zBwuRGxP

Apparently a "local developer" has offered $9.5M for the AWC building, with the plan being to use the air rights to build up (likely for a hotel), while reserving rent-free space for the AWC to continue operations below.

That is a win all around as far as I am concerned. It would even help out the convention center (if in fact it was used for a hotel).

What a GREAT possible ending for that. Nice!