PITTSBURGH | Development Rundown II

[BrianTH]

This article on the Macy's project implies the reason they are doing so little to change the exterior is they want historic tax credits:

http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/ne...st-look-at-apartment-hotel-plan-for.html

Eric Booth, a partner for Lawrenceville-based Desmone Associates Architects, presented the plans for the property to the Planning Commission, emphasizing an approach only to clean, repoint and replace the windows outside for what’s expected to be an historic tax credit project.

That makes sense and it might explain why they are leaving the outside-facing wall of the Annex as is (not that it really makes me any happier, but you could see why they would not want to risk litigation over it--and the Annex is in fact something like 60 years old now).

[TBone7281]

Oxford Office on Smallman has been coming along the last couple weeks.

Started getting glass - 5/4




5/14




5/19




2500 Smallman on 5/18




From 31st St. Bridge on 5/4

[TBone7281]

The Yards @ Three Crossings

5/4




5/18

[BrianTH]

And yet more details on the Macy's project. I am going to choose to view it as charming that it is a major issue what happens to The Tic Toc:

http://www.post-gazette.com/business/dev...Downtown-Pittsburgh/stories/201505200094

The Tic Toc is part of Macy’s annex, a 1953 addition to the main structure that will be used by Core for the apartment complex and parking. As such, the developer likely will decide its fate. Core is planning amenity space within the apartment portion of the building, including possible restaurant or retail space at street level in the annex, Mr. Booth said. Such spaces could be possibilities for places like the Tic Toc, he noted. “[Core’s] looked at areas within the envelope of the apartments for restaurants and other uses. They could end up being part of the accessory uses,” he said.

The plan for more diverse uses at the street level is very welcome, and could really help liven up that Cherry Way/Fifth area. Speaking of which . . .

Core, which is seeking historic tax credits to help finance the project, also plans to create a new apartment entrance at Fifth and Cherry. Of the 311 apartments, 71 will be studios, 169 one-bedroom and 71 two-bedroom. Amenities include a “fitness roof” with two full-size tennis courts and a running track, a rooftop pool and deck area, and green roofs. There will be 246 parking spaces and 290 bike spaces in the basement. Core also is planning to create two large atriums that will run from the fifth floor to the roof in a complex that totals 1 million square feet. Construction is expected to start in July and be finished in two years.

I remember seeing the plans for the apartment lobby along Cherry Way, which could really help brighten up the tunnel area. Generally, this is a really exciting plan, and the sheer scale is pretty impressive.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by TBone7281

5/19

Although quite boring, that is not looking as obnoxious as I feared.

Meanwhile, I continue to be pleased with 2500 Smallman. That bridge shot really puts it into context.

[TBone7281]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

Although quite boring, that is not looking as obnoxious as I feared.

Yeah, it looks kind of cool in person... it's a darker gray than most other buildings I've seen going up recently. But still, this style is used everywhere now, and I think it'll age poorly. We'll see, I guess.

[AaronPGH]

Unfortunately, that's probably the best The Yards will ever look.

[BrianTH]

Again, not exactly what I would call thrilling, but this seems reasonably pleasant to me:



I particularly think that whole lawn/courtyard/pool-deck thing leading to the riverfront park is going to be a big selling point, and in person it is clear it is going to be pretty darn impressive. Of course I realize some people want a more built environment closer to the river, but for environmental and other reasons I think this sort of riverfront treatment is actually fine.

[qwho]

Adam Shuck's ETRT had a neat video link today, a presentation about complete streets, using a 3D modeling tool:

http://mail01.tinyletterapp.com/eatthatr...h?c=32679527-8958-4a51-a599-12689578db02

In the video though, 350 Fifth Avenue was mentioned.


I know this is just them superimposing the proposed structure in the same space, but boy I wish they went with this design, keep the outside of the building intact...

[BrianTH]

Given that those are now supposed to be parking levels, I don't see a good reason to think that is fundamentally impossible.

I'd guess our best bet (and it is not much of one) is that some anchor tenant would want a more interesting, progressive, green building, and would lean on Oxford to go this way.

[Urbana]

An interesting overview of the Uber/CMU partnership. It is cool to see the facility and the city recieve national attention. Here's to hoping Pittsburgh plays a big role in some sort of transportation revolution!

http://www.theverge.com/transportation/2...elf-driving-cars-carnegie-mellon-poached

[BrianTH]

Coming soon to Smallman:



Anyway, that is a crazy story. Hopefully what happens now is NREC actually staffs back up, which would be a nice net increase for Pittsburgh.

[BrianTH]

Cool short video on the Wilkinsburg Train Station (which they are trying to get a grant to renovate):

https://vimeo.com/120162118

And cool old picture:

[AaronPGH]

^ They should put their new liquor abilities into use with that train station! Perfect for a restaurant/bar/TOD shopping

[East Edge]

Agreed. Not high design but definitely the right idea. It could almost be like a strip of beach boardwalk with hotels/and residences with their own private pools overlooking the river. Lets hope some small local eateries could locate along the waters edge as well or at least a handful strategically located along an artery leading up to Penn.

Along this same line does anyone know anything about an existing water taxi service or talk of an expansion of one as more of our river fronts gets developed? It would even be cool if there was a kayak rental system like all of the healthy ride bike rental stations popping up around town. Swipe a card to release a kayak in the strip and head to the north shore and dock it there. Then someone else can use it to head to Southside works, etc. The current may be too strong for some but interesting in theory. I know we've made huge strides but just feel that the waterfronts could be more of a destination than they are now.

Originally Posted by BrianTH

Again, not exactly what I would call thrilling, but this seems reasonably pleasant to me:



I particularly think that whole lawn/courtyard/pool-deck thing leading to the riverfront park is going to be a big selling point, and in person it is clear it is going to be pretty darn impressive. Of course I realize some people want a more built environment closer to the river, but for environmental and other reasons I think this sort of riverfront treatment is actually fine.

[TBone7281]

Originally Posted by East Edge

Along this same line does anyone know anything about an existing water taxi service or talk of an expansion of one as more of our river fronts gets developed? It would even be cool if there was a kayak rental system like all of the healthy ride bike rental stations popping up around town. Swipe a card to release a kayak in the strip and head to the north shore and dock it there. Then someone else can use it to head to Southside works, etc. The current may be too strong for some but interesting in theory. I know we've made huge strides but just feel that the waterfronts could be more of a destination than they are now.

This is the only thing I'm familiar with at the moment -

http://pittsburghwaterlimo.com/

It's not really a water taxi, but they do have shuttle service for Steeler/Pirates/Panthers games. Mostly it's set up more like a Gateway Clipper kind of thing, I think.

[TBone7281]

Looks like the Bayer sign will be staying put for a while longer...

http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/05/2...spute-halts-deal-to-makeover-bayer-sign/

But sources tell KDKA’s Andy Sheehan that Giant Eagle wanted to take it over after a $4 million digital makeover by the sign’s owner, Lamar Advertising.
But since the city has sat on its application for more than a year, the supermarket chain has now withdrawn its interest. The sign will remain in its present condition for the foreseeable future.

[SWPA]

Love the picture of the Wilkinsburg trains station. I lived in Wilkinsburg when the busway opened in 1983 and used to walk past it to get the bus. Always wished that it could have been included in the busway project as a bus station/layover/connecting routes for the busway. Right across the street is the city hall/fire department and the old post office, so it was like a little civic center in that area.

[Minivan Werner]

Here's a user-submitted interior panoramic shot of the inside of the Wilkinsburg station:

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.443387,-...3m4!1e1!3m2!1sp3DcHRgjUFEAAAQpkAPu6g!2e0

Assume the 3 in hard hats are vagrants.

[photoLith]

^
Wow, I always wondered what it looked like inside now that its abandoned. Its locked up pretty tight though and whenever I pass it I always see if theres a way in. I really hope they get to restore it, its a beautiful building.