PITTSBURGH | Development Rundown II - Page 744

BrianTH · #**14861** Posted **Nov 13, 2015, 4:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urbana

I am one to be more intrigued by this era of architecture than most. In my opinion, we need to be careful about tearing buildings like this down without serious consideration. This happens every generation. We look back on the architecture of several generations back with great admiration, but fail to see the beauty in the architecture of the more recent past. I am not saying this building is remarkable, but it has some really interesting form and materials in the upper floors. I also love the shape of the windows. Where I think it fails (as so many buildings of its era do) is where it meets the street. A proper renovation - cleaning the facade and improving the street presence would probably result in a really sleek building. Whether all that is feasible is a different story. It is totally possible that this building is not worth saving, but I think it deserves the dignity of a serious consideration of its architectural value before that happens.

Totally agree. I try hard to suspend my own personal taste in cases like this and recognize the possible long-term value in preserving buildings with distinctive historic elements.

And the more I think of it, I do think it could become a pretty cool "mid-century modern" building with enough TLC. I gather part of the reason it was originally planned for demo is it may need some serious interior remediation work (asbestos?), but it seems in reasonable shape on the exterior.

BrianTH · #**14862** Posted **Nov 13, 2015, 5:17 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by AaronPGH

These guys are clearly right to do it

Yeah, the fact that they are apparently actually really interested in the building is fantastic. Again, the more I look at it the more I see where they are coming from. This style of architecture was popular for civic buildings and such because when done well, it can have a sort of quirky grandeur (if that is not an oxymoron). You could see them really using it eventually as part of their branding.

Some random New Formalism examples in relatively good shape:

JVC · #**14863** Posted **Nov 13, 2015, 5:18 PM**

highly recommended reading on the topic of east liberty modern architecture

justin greenawalt's "Pittsburgh's East Liberty Project: Preserving the Artifacts of the Urban Renewal Era"

http://www.eastlibertychamber.org/UserFiles/File/JGreenawalt_PittEastLibertyProject_Thesis.pdf

JVC · #**14864** Posted **Nov 13, 2015, 5:40 PM**

sell the detectives building to schoolhouse, make broad street two-way from end to end,
and all the elements will be in place to create a cool pedestrian corridor with a totally different vibe from penn avenue

Evergrey · #**14865** Posted **Nov 13, 2015, 6:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by eschaton

Eventually I'm sure the McDonalds is going to go.

I think Urbana's point can apply here as well. Do we really want to lose this?

So many McDonalds are being replaced with the latest in cutting edge architectural designs... but we are losing our soul.

BrianTH · #**14866** Posted **Nov 13, 2015, 6:13 PM**

Obviously Urbana's point was nuanced and requires some judgment in application.

Some notable distinctions between these two cases:

(1) The Detective's Building is much more interesting and unusual--I'd guess architect-designed, although I don't actually know the history;

(2) It is also an appropriate scale/density for that area;

(3) Finally, that McDonald's is the best it is going to be. With the Detective's Building, you have to use your imagination to envision what it could be.

That said--I would not in fact want every McDonald's of that era torn down in the long run, because in fact it is a pretty iconic design. That particular one, however, I think we can lose.

Edit: For example, this classic 1950s McDonalds was actually restored after the Northridge earthquake with public support:

eschaton · #**14867** Posted **Nov 13, 2015, 6:35 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianTH

So one of the articles suggested at least part of that parcel containing both the building and some of the surrounding parking lots would still be available for redevelopment. Unfortunately this style of building is designed to have ample space all around it, but I could live with it if the width of that space was limited to about the amount along Broad, and then it was hardscaped in a way to make it more inviting for pedestrians, perhaps like a plaza (except perhaps along the back which I could see becoming an alley).

Since they are considering putting in a coffeeshop anyway, I would hope it faces Broad instead of N Euclid. The setback would be great for outdoor seating, and move Broad back towards being established as an important secondary business corridor in East Liberty.

Evergrey · #**14868** Posted **Nov 13, 2015, 8:16 PM**

http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/ne...ork-investment-firm-to-buy-downtown.html

Quote:

Sources: New York investment firm to buy downtown office tower

Nov 13, 2015, 2:46pm EST

A new buyer is emerging for downtown’s fourth-largest office building, 525 William Penn Place.

New York-based AWH Partners, a private investment group lead by former execs of the Blackstone Group and the Related Cos., is close to a final deal for the Mellon Square office tower, according to sources familiar with the deal who spoke anonymously to maintain their business relationships.

Representatives for AWH Partners were not immediately available. Nor was Bank of New York Mellon (NYSE: BK), which opted in January to put the property up for sale as part of a larger plan to consolidate its downtown Pittsburgh operations.

Gerry Dudley, an executive vice president who leads investment property sales in Pittsburgh for CBRE and led the team that represented the property for sale, declined to comment.

If a sale closes, the deal would match a 1951-built office tower that totals 41 floors and 942,665 square feet with a New York ownership group that invests, develops and manages a real estate portfolio valued at more than $900 million, according to the company’s website.

The company’s portfolio consists mostly of hotels, suggesting the possibility of AWH developing another hotel property in a Mellon Square area that now has two of them with a third on the way. But the executive team at AWH also has broader expertise and one source said the tentative plan is to maintain the property as an office building. The building is also facing major blocks of vacant space.

...

JVC · #**14869** Posted **Nov 13, 2015, 8:53 PM**

"suggesting the possibility of AWH developing another hotel property in a Mellon Square area that now has two of them with a third on the way"

it would be interesting to find out approximately how much new private investment has been generated by the recent renovation of mellon square
the park looks fantastic

BrianTH · #**14870** Posted **Nov 13, 2015, 9:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by eschaton

Since they are considering putting in a coffeeshop anyway, I would hope it faces Broad instead of N Euclid. The setback would be great for outdoor seating, and move Broad back towards being established as an important secondary business corridor in East Liberty.

That would be very smart.

BrianTH · #**14871** Posted **Nov 13, 2015, 9:39 PM**

I've heard some pretty bad reviews of 525 William Penn from various people working there. Hopefully if it stays office they at least invest in improvements (although I would think a top-floors hotel could be pretty sweet).

JVC · #**14872** Posted **Nov 14, 2015, 3:00 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by eschaton

Since they are considering putting in a coffeeshop anyway, I would hope it faces Broad instead of N Euclid. The setback would be great for outdoor seating, and move Broad back towards being established as an important secondary business corridor in East Liberty.

meanwhile, on the other end of broad street

"The owner of Sidelines in Sewickley and Millvale, Robert Miller and Jessica Martin Adams will officially open The Fire Side Pub at 6290 Broad St. in the former Station Street Hot Dogs space a week from today. "

http://www.post-gazette.com/life/forks/2...eet-in-East-Liberty/stories/201511130283

Austinlee · #**14873** Posted **Nov 14, 2015, 3:34 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianTH

I've heard some pretty bad reviews of 525 William Penn from various people working there. Hopefully if it stays office they at least invest in improvements (although I would think a top-floors hotel could be pretty sweet).

For some reason even though i've never been in that building I believe that it probably is very dated considering nowadays companies value open workspaces, lots of windows and light; the opposite of what these old, dark cubicle farms were built like.
I'm sure a smart and financially stable new owner could dump millions into it and somehow make one of Pittsburgh's tallest into relevant and desirable floorplans.

Austinlee · #**14874** Posted **Nov 14, 2015, 4:35 AM**

Also, it's interesting to me that 525 William Penn AND One Oxford Centre are both on the verge of sale at the same time, one to a New York company and one to a San Francisco company.

BrianTH · #**14875** Posted **Nov 14, 2015, 3:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Austinlee

Also, it's interesting to me that 525 William Penn AND One Oxford Centre are both on the verge of sale at the same time, one to a New York company and one to a San Francisco company.

Supposedly the Oxford Centre buyer is planning to redo the retail portion pretty extensively. I'm not sure what the plan is, but it definitely is not a roaring success as is.

BrianTH · #**14876** Posted **Nov 14, 2015, 4:54 PM**

Nice article on the Hotel Indigo with plenty of pictures:

http://triblive.com/lifestyles/travel/9372704-74/hotel-east-indigo#axzz3rU9gpepJ

JVC · #**14877** Posted **Nov 14, 2015, 6:24 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianTH

Nice article on the Hotel Indigo with plenty of pictures:

http://triblive.com/lifestyles/travel/9372704-74/hotel-east-indigo#axzz3rU9gpepJ

the article would probably be more effective if it showed people using the hotel in the photos

and the brick building out front simply looks run-down and abandoned - what the heck were they thinking
when they decided to leave it there without windows?

photoLith · #**14878** Posted **Nov 15, 2015, 5:34 PM**

Does downtown have any of the buildings lit up in the French flag? I didn't see downtown last night.

Captain Crash · #**14879** Posted **Nov 15, 2015, 7:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by photoLith

Does downtown have any of the buildings lit up in the French flag? I didn't see downtown last night.

The Gulf Tower was.

gg1 · #**14880** Posted **Nov 15, 2015, 10:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JVC

meanwhile, on the other end of broad street

"The owner of Sidelines in Sewickley and Millvale, Robert Miller and Jessica Martin Adams will officially open The Fire Side Pub at 6290 Broad St. in the former Station Street Hot Dogs space a week from today. "

http://www.post-gazette.com/life/forks/2...eet-in-East-Liberty/stories/201511130283

Great they are finally opening up. Takes forever in the city to do anything due to all the red tap and fee. Funny, the owners were under the impression they could open in July and here it is in late November and still not opened. It shows the contrast. Shame, but it is what it is.