PITTSBURGH | Development Rundown II

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by JVC

any idea what is ace planning to do with the incredible tile swimming pool in the basement?

Last I heard, they might eventually convert it into a skate park.

[JVC]

Originally Posted by eschaton

Last I heard, they might eventually convert it into a skate park.

SAVE THE POOL!

[BrianTH]

Finally, here are possible development sites marked--yellow are surface parking lots, green have buildings that could potentially be demolished (there is only one historic building in a green zone, across from the AAA on Baum, and I included it to make that a decent-sized parcel):



Note all the sites have access from outside the woonerf zone. You'd probably want at least one of those sites to include a multi-level parking structure, to replace the surface parking and support local uses (e.g., valet parking for the Ace Hotel). But generally, you'd mostly have a free hand to utilize the new district appropriately. Fortunately the Ace Hotel and library already look decent from the direction of the new park. The only modest exception is the historic buildings along Baum around the corner from the library, and even those are kinda interesting from the rear.

[photoLith]

Walked by Baumhaus right now, it's a big hole in the ground at the moment.

[BrianTH]

Doesn't Baumhaus translate as "treehouse"? If so that is pretty clever.

Edit: By the way, this is awesome:



Like science-fictiony cool.

[Urbana]

The Baumhaus is definitely the best designed apartment complex in recent memory. It is a really beautiful design.

[dfiler]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

Finally, here are possible development sites marked--yellow are surface parking lots, green have buildings that could potentially be demolished (there is only one historic building in a green zone, across from the AAA on Baum, and I included it to make that a decent-sized parcel):



Note all the sites have access from outside the woonerf zone. You'd probably want at least one of those sites to include a multi-level parking structure, to replace the surface parking and support local uses (e.g., valet parking for the Ace Hotel). But generally, you'd mostly have a free hand to utilize the new district appropriately. Fortunately the Ace Hotel and library already look decent from the direction of the new park. The only modest exception is the historic buildings along Baum around the corner from the library, and even those are kinda interesting from the rear.

The density of East Liberty doesn't seem to support this scale of pedestrian area.

However, the single block of Whitfield St, west of the church, would make an excellent plaza with nearly zero negative impact on vehicle traffic. That street sees very little traffic. It would be flanked by the church and the old YMCA building, both excellent architecture. It would also boarder a carnegie library.

Parklets and plazas are great but only work if there is enough density and sidewalk traffic to make them come alive. As of yet my above suggestion would likely fail. But once the transit center is in place and assuming it spurs further development, it would fit nicely.

[photoLith]

Like most pedestrian malls in America, that idea would fail so yeah. Worked out great for Cumberland Marylands downtown... The only place pedestrian malls work are in high density touristy areas. So there's no point in entertaining that idea. Now let's talk about some real development going on in the city...

[BrianTH]

At least as I would propose it, that isn't a pedestrian mall or otherwise a pedestrian-only area. Vehicles still have access, they just would have to go slower, again as in Market Square.

[photoLith]

It's not development related and also it would fail. Just sayin.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by photoLith

It's not development related and also it would fail. Just sayin.

OK, thank you for sharing your opinions.

[qwho]

Originally Posted by photoLith

It's not development related and also it would fail. Just sayin.

Agreed and all it is doing is egging on JVC

[JVC]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

At least as I would propose it, that isn't a pedestrian mall or otherwise a pedestrian-only area. Vehicles still have access, they just would have to go slower, again as in Market Square.

traffic is already a nightmare in that area - making vehicles go slower would simply make it worse

[GeneW]

Originally Posted by photoLith

It's not development related and also it would fail. Just sayin.

It's about developing human spaces in between the buildings. And you have zero data to prove that it would fail.

[JVC]

if this forum is only supposed to be about real estate developers getting buzz and publicity for their projects that's fine

if this forum has the attitude that development and urban (and transit) planning go hand in hand that's even better,
especially if some of the good ideas generated here help make the city a better place

http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/dian...n-Jones-Walkabout-2/stories/201510130045

"Park advocates decried the idea of selling a public asset to a private developer. If there’s anything East Liberty needs as much as affordable housing, it’s green space, they said, telling me that Enright Parklet is a place where people of all incomes and backgrounds can mingle."

the green space at the corner of centre and penn across from the target in east liberty

[Brentsters]

I don't personally participate in these types of "what if" discussions, but I find them interesting. I'd much rather read them than posters who just unnecessarily complain every post.

Also, it's pretty easy to use the ignore function.

[Lobick]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

Trek has gotten zoning approval for their Garden Theater apartment project:

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2...heater-get-approval/stories/201510100048

So, at the recent ACCA meeting, Trek presented some new renderings of options regarding the new construction based upon community feedback.

http://www.alleghenycitycentral.org/wp-c...-Development-Garden-Block-Renderings.pdf

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by photoLith

Like most pedestrian malls in America, that idea would fail so yeah. Worked out great for Cumberland Marylands downtown... The only place pedestrian malls work are in high density touristy areas. So there's no point in entertaining that idea. Now let's talk about some real development going on in the city...

A woonerf/shared space isn't the same thing as a pedestrian mall. Cars are allowed on, it's just designed in such a way as to limit car speeds to under 15 mph, to ensure cars aren't going fast enough to seriously injure/kill pedestrians if they do hit them. Also, pedestrian malls were specifically constructed for high foot traffic commercial areas, while woonerfs are meant to be used on any street. The idea is to alter streets from places primarily for the flow of cars into places cars can travel, but are mainly meant for other modes of transportation.

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by Lobick

So, at the recent ACCA meeting, Trek presented some new renderings of options regarding the new construction based upon community feedback.

http://www.alleghenycitycentral.org/wp-c...-Development-Garden-Block-Renderings.pdf

I have to say I liked the original better. It was arguably a bit too modern for the site, but the new design is just bland when it comes to detailing. The massing is arguably better, but I would have preferred they kept a more modern treatment with a few minor changes (like making the windows on the Federal side have similar proportions to the historic buildings).

[Evergrey]

http://www.post-gazette.com/business/dev...of-North-Shore-deal/stories/201510130063

North Shore developer looking for replacement for Toby Keith bar

October 13, 2015 12:00 AM



By Mark Belko / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette


For fans awaiting the opening of Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill on the North Shore, it looks like hope is on the rocks, to paraphrase one of country singer’s songs.

After a long courtship, the restaurant won’t be anchoring the North Shore Place I and II retail and office complex developed by Continental Real Estate Cos. next to Stage AE.

“We are looking for a replacement for Toby Keith,” said Barry Ford, Continental’s president of development in Pittsburgh.

The Columbus-based developer has a “couple of good options on the table” for taking the space, Mr. Ford said, noting that he was “very optimistic” about the prospects of finding a replacement.

“We need someone who wants to combine music and food, and we’ll do that,” added Frank Kass, Continental’s chairman.

Continental was counting on the restaurant to anchor the complex’s high-profile, 16,000-square-foot corner spot on North Shore Drive, creating a synergy with Stage AE, Jerome Bettis Grille 36 and nearby Heinz Field. The North Shore seemed like a perfect spot for Mr. Keith, a big Steelers fan.

Much of the space for the restaurant — including its trademark guitar-shaped bar — already had been built out.

“It was almost done,” Mr. Kass said.

Asked how much the developer had spent finishing the space, he replied, “A lot.”

Continental isn’t the only developer in Pittsburgh to pursue the chain only to come up empty.

The Soffer Organization announced in 2009 that Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill would be opening at SouthSide Works on the Monongahela riverfront in late 2010.

That never happened, and Soffer ended up suing the chain in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court, claiming that it did not live up to its lease obligations.

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