PITTSBURGH | Development Rundown II

[Austinlee]

Originally Posted by Urbana

While only three posts long, that comments section is already one of the worst I have ever seen.

That commenter Dr. Avis is the most vile, hateful troll in the Pittsburgh metro. he comments on nearly 99% of all news articles on that website. Every single comment mentions something racist or super f-ed up. He has been doing that for years. I can't figure out why he hasn't been banned. I have flagged dozens of his posts but it doesn't put a dent in it.

[JVC]

Originally Posted by Urbana

How does that relate to the weird-ass corner on this building? I am not trying to be snarky or anything, I am curious as to what you mean.

the weird-ass corner is clearly meant to stand out, be different, break a little bit free from the otherwise highly ordered structure (which is exactly what the building context of the neighborhood calls for)

the weird-ass corner serves to give the architect the feeling that he has done something creative and daring when in fact it just looks ridiculous

[Don't Be That Guy]

Originally Posted by JVC

the weird-ass corner is clearly meant to stand out, be different, break a little bit free from the otherwise highly ordered structure (which is exactly what the building context of the neighborhood calls for)

the weird-ass corner serves to give the architect the feeling that he has done something creative and daring when in fact it just looks ridiculous

Quoted for truth. Architects are trained to assume that they could be the next Mies van der Rohe when in truth they are going to spend their careers designing value engineered hotels and apartment buildings; if they're lucky. Being daring and different just doesn't work unless you have the budget to build it.

[Austinlee]

Originally Posted by Don't Be That Guy

Quoted for truth. Architects are trained to assume that they could be the next Mies van der Rohe when in truth they are going to spend their careers designing value engineered hotels and apartment buildings; if they're lucky. Being daring and different just doesn't work unless you have the budget to build it.

Yes, that's true. BUUUUUUT. The greats manage to build something special by hook or by crook. The different between mediocracy and greatness is often the the inginuity and resourcefulness of the architect. Differen't between forgettable and a city landmark is usually in the details.
So don't let lazy designers sell you on that cop out.

[Urbana]

Originally Posted by Austinlee

don't let lazy designers sell you on that cop out.

I swear, most of the discussion about architects on this forum speak about them as if they are children. If people on this forum could really pinpoint the root of the problems in the design process, surely the architects THEMSELVES could too. The problem must be altogether more complicated.

I don't know why they chose to make the corner look ridiculous, but I doubt it was as simple as "they are bored."

I tend to suspect that there are certain "indoctrinations" that take place while getting a degree in architecture that produce such monotonously dull design features. Something that, despite having the power to change it, makes an architect look at that corner and say "that looks good" while the general public would say the exact opposite. But then again, I have no special insight into the field and am probably talking out of my ass.

[Austinlee]

Originally Posted by Urbana

I swear, most of the discussion about architects on this forum speak about them as if they are children. If people on this forum could really pinpoint the root of the problems in the design process, surely the architects THEMSELVES could too. The problem must be altogether more complicated.

I don't know why they chose to make the corner look ridiculous, but I doubt it was as simple as "they are bored."

I tend to suspect that there are certain "indoctrinations" that take place while getting a degree in architecture that produce such monotonously dull design features. Something that, despite having the power to change it, makes an architect look at that corner and say "that looks good" while the general public would say the exact opposite. But then again, I have no special insight into the field and am probably talking out of my ass.

Geniuses throughout time FIND a way to make it happen. Mediocre will always be standard to due asinine building codes. But that doesn't mean the smartest, most determined will not make it happen.
Elon Musk thought to himself, i'm going to change the world by making an American car that will start a revolution to scare other auto makers into investing in electric an clean energy solutions. He was called crazy, that it can't be done. That the big automakers have already crushed the electric car idea. He did what he HAD to to do to change the course of vehicular travel possibly forever. That is the difference between giving in to status quo and changing the world.
Larry Ellison, 2 or 3rd richest entreprenuer in this country said, "“I have had all of the disadvantages required for success,” Larry Ellison has been quoted as saying. “The most important aspect of my personality, as far as determining my success goes, has been my questioning conventional wisdom, doubting the experts and questioning authority. While that can be very painful in relationships with your parents and teachers, it’s enormously useful in life.”


“Businessmen are successful when they question the norms that conventional wisdom espouses,” he said. “That is where innovation comes from – finding errors in conventional wisdom."

If we want to Pittsburgh to be world city and not a regional backoffice, we need to nurture imagination and idealism (along with technical skills like engineering) instead of pumping out mental drones only smart enough to operate a sales register.

Think big people.

[Austinlee]

Originally Posted by Urbana

I swear, most of the discussion about architects on this forum speak about them as if they are children. If people on this forum could really pinpoint the root of the problems in the design process, surely the architects THEMSELVES could too. The problem must be altogether more complicated.

No excuses. Work around it and make something amazing or enjoy mediocrity.

[Austinlee]

This was no dig at local architects, we have many wonderful ones. But let's make Pittsburgh a world class city where int'l travelers come HERE for ideas instead of quaint regional city.

[Private Dick]

Awesome Monday-morning pep talk from Austin!! I'm feelin' your words man!

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by Urbana

I tend to suspect that there are certain "indoctrinations" that take place while getting a degree in architecture that produce such monotonously dull design features. Something that, despite having the power to change it, makes an architect look at that corner and say "that looks good" while the general public would say the exact opposite. But then again, I have no special insight into the field and am probably talking out of my ass.

My wife is an architect, and I do believe from discussions with her there is a certain "indoctrination" which happens.

As an example, I've raised with her before that I don't understand why neo-historical designs are generally so looked down upon in the architectural world. If architecture is an art form, after all, than working within all established traditions is of equal merit as modernism. Just as someone can compose traditional folk music today, or choose to paint in a strictly representational fashion, and have it be good art if it's well executed.

She then generally shakes her head, and says something along the lines of all buildings must accurately reflect the period they are built within.

[JVC]

Originally Posted by eschaton

My wife is an architect, and I do believe from discussions with her there is a certain "indoctrination" which happens.

As an example, I've raised with her before that I don't understand why neo-historical designs are generally so looked down upon in the architectural world. If architecture is an art form, after all, than working within all established traditions is of equal merit as modernism. Just as someone can compose traditional folk music today, or choose to paint in a strictly representational fashion, and have it be good art if it's well executed.

She then generally shakes her head, and says something along the lines of all buildings must accurately reflect the period they are built within.

that's exactly why the new bakery square apartment building looks like a soviet housing block - because we're living in a communist nation

[Evergrey]

Maybe it isn't the best idea to give away half of Downtown to a declining lower-tier university with murky long-term prospects...

http://www.post-gazette.com/news/educati...-wide-restructuring/stories/201507060140

Point Park lets go of nearly three dozen employees

July 6, 2015 3:04 PM

By Bill Schackner / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Point Park University today said it has let go 32 full- and part-time employees as part of a university-wide restructuring to reduce payroll costs in response to shifting enrollment.

In a memo to campus, Point Park President Paul Hennigan said what is happening reflects "tremendous changes in the higher education landscape."

"... Many of these changes have had significant impacts on student enrollment at schools throughout the country and at Point Park University," he said in the memo, a copy of which was obtained by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The job cuts represent 3 percent of the university's total workforce, Mr. Hennigan wrote. In addition to curbing payroll costs, he said the reductions will enable Point Park to "better invest and align resources to support the evolving educational needs of students."

Point Park has 3,737 full- and part-time students,Mr. Hennigan said. That number is down nearly 3 percent from 2013-14, a Point Park spokesman said.

...

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by Evergrey

Maybe it isn't the best idea to give away half of Downtown to a declining lower-tier university with murky long-term prospects...

To be fair, as has been discussed before, the theater portion of Point Park University is probably going to be most resilient to the the coming changes (or, as I would say, collapse) in lower-tier private higher education.

[DKNewYork]

Originally Posted by Evergrey

Maybe it isn't the best idea to give away half of Downtown to a declining lower-tier university with murky long-term prospects...

Point Park, like all small colleges these days, surely has its challenges but I would disagree that the school is in decline. Granted, current enrollment is down by 3% since last year---but that translates to just 111 students. The new Playhouse, when completed, will provide the capacity for the performing arts conservancy to increase enrollment by well more than 100 students. Plus, the current freshmen class is the largest in Point Park's history. So things do not look dire.

As for the half of downtown given away to Point Park, those properties bought by the school when no one else was interested will still be there to be adapted to other uses should the school ever go belly up.

[Evergrey]

interesting article on the development strategy of the now-ubiquitous local coffeeshop chain "Crazy Mocha"...


http://triblive.com/business/headlines/8597949-74/zeff-coffee-crazy

Crazy Mocha owner likes comfort, says shrewd decisions foster growth



By David Conti
Monday, July 6, 2015, 11:15 p.m.
Updated 16 hours ago


Ken Zeff is a routine-driven man, working in the routine-driven business of serving coffee.

He lived, until recently, in the same Greenfield home in which he was raised. He says he hasn't tried a new food in 30 years. He won't drink coffee, despite founding and owning Pittsburgh-based Crazy Mocha Coffee Co.

“I've never even tried it. Or tea, or hot chocolate,” he said. Not even curious? “Nope.”

Will it ever happen?

“Never.”

It's a steady and predictable approach to life that contrasts with his line of work and the way Zeff, 47, of Squirrel Hill has turned the purchase of one Shadyside coffee shop in 2000 into a 30-store local chain.

...

[GeneW]

Got a notice at work that they're going to be closing off Penn Ave and installing the foot bridge from Bakery Square 1 to 2 on this Saturday.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by GeneW

Got a notice at work that they're going to be closing off Penn Ave and installing the foot bridge from Bakery Square 1 to 2 on this Saturday.

Awesome. I think I tell my kids about that every time we drive by. They will appreciate that stopping.

[Wiz Khalifa]

Originally Posted by eschaton

My wife is an architect, and I do believe from discussions with her there is a certain "indoctrination" which happens.

As an example, I've raised with her before that I don't understand why neo-historical designs are generally so looked down upon in the architectural world. If architecture is an art form, after all, than working within all established traditions is of equal merit as modernism. Just as someone can compose traditional folk music today, or choose to paint in a strictly representational fashion, and have it be good art if it's well executed.

She then generally shakes her head, and says something along the lines of all buildings must accurately reflect the period they are built within.

You should have shot right back with: "So, other than a handful of exceptions this is the period of ugly corrugated metal siding, pretentious and extraneous cupolas, and cheap suburban-looking faux materials."

Architecture is supposed to be a creative art form, the bold statement seems like something that came out of a government text book from 1950's era Soviet Russia.

It's no wonder all our lower level architecture is starting to look like soviet block housing if actual architects design like a bunch of lemmings following each other off of a cliff.

[BrianTH]

Pittsburgh Gateways, who did the Connelley school makeover, is going to be McCaffery's new partner for the Produce Terminal:

http://www.post-gazette.com/business/dev...ct-produce-terminal/stories/201507080121

The organization’s role, he said, will be to make sure the terminal is developed in concert with its history and in keeping with the interests of the community and its funders. One avenue Pittsburgh Gateways hopes to explore is possible tie-ins to existing Strip merchants, particularly those on Penn Avenue. That could include additional retail opportunities at the terminal or perhaps even educational programming. Local retailers would be given preference over national chains or franchises, he said.

In keeping with the building’s wholesale produce legacy, the nonprofit also plans to explore possible farm-to-table options. That, for example, could include restaurants with connections to local community gardens, Mr. Meeder said. “The intention is to give [farm to table] a full review as we do a development plan,” he said. . . . Mr. Meeder said there has been a lot of discussion regarding the amount of residential in the building. “There’s a possibility there could be none,” he said.

Local tie-ins and farm-to-table sound great to me. I also don't have a huge attachment to residential, except I am somewhat skeptical such a large building can be entirely converted without any residential in a financially viable way.

[SkyPittsburgh]

Owner mum on plans as it empties East Liberty apartment complex
By Diana Nelson Jones / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Residents of Penn Plaza Apartments in East Liberty are receiving eviction notices 90 days before their leases expire as the owner tries to empty the complex.
Penn Plaza Apartments — two buildings on Penn between Negley and Euclid Avenues — is owned by LG Retail Advisors. Property manager Mishia Blair said she doesn’t know if the property is being sold.

“To my knowledge, it’s not being torn down. All I was told was to give people 90 days’ notice,” she said. Her letter to tenants notes it is “due to future renovations.”

I remember a while ago someone on this forum found information of a proposed walmart here? Maybe I'm just mis-remembering things, but it seems like evicting all tenants for "renovations" is a bit much. It seems like this property might be on the path to demolition.

Read more here