PITTSBURGH | Development Rundown II

[photoLith]

Originally Posted by Private Dick

Anyone know what's going on (actually, not going on) with the new Walnut apartment building on Penn & Highland in E Liberty?

The ground floor has been boarded up with plywood for months now. I think it's been that way since the spring. I thought at first that maybe they were finishing the interior spaces, but that can't be... it's been way too long. I imagine Walnut is waiting for a potential tenant to show solid interest/commitment before building the spaces out...?

It's a bad look regardless.

Just took photos of the interior of that building about a month ago for Walnut Capitol and they said theyre waiting for ground floor retailers to rent the space until they finish it.

[Austinlee]

Originally Posted by themaguffin

That's the odd thing though - you would think that developing the land is a burden to them as they seem to be dragging their feet to do something.

The thing is it's in their interest to have tons of parking not urban infill next to the stadiums. They don't really have a good incentive to build.

[Muckk]

Originally Posted by daviderik

Am I the only one that doesn't like Mario? Great Hockey player? Yes. Slimy Smug — hole? Yep!
I read in the comment section of the PG someone advocating we should re name the arena after Lemieux. Although he would probably love that.
I don't get the god status he receives.
You're a former athlete. Not a business man. Go back to Montreal and take your ego with you.

I happen to know that he uses a pseudonym at the Sewickley library, as reserved books are in view of the public along with the names of those who reserved them. He doesn't like people knowing what books he intends to read. That should, at the very least, give you a chuckle.

[Don't Be That Guy]

Originally Posted by eschaton

I'm pretty sure the Penguins threatened to leave Pittsburgh if they weren't given development rights over the Civic Arena site among other state/local kickbacks. IIRC Kansas City was seriously mooted. It might have been a mostly toothless threat, but it was out there.

They threatened to leave if they didn't get the shiny new arena. The development rights were not something they wanted, but rather something they said that they would do in order to get the financing for the arena. Given the option the Pens would probably rather see parking lots and arena district type amenities on the site so the thinking was probably this would be their best way to influence how the land (that they don't own) was redeveloped. There was likely little thought that getting any development would be a challenge.

[MattofSloppyVariety]

Originally Posted by BenM

Long time lurker who really appreciates the work done here to track the progress of my favorite city.

I was wondering if anyone could help me with a couple of questions. Has the conversion of Schenley started/been completed? I love that building. And is there any hope for the New Granada Theater on The Hill? I seems like it has been slated for restoration for over two decades and the last time I visited it looked the same as it did two decades ago.

And how the hell did noted property developer Mario Lemieux get the rights to the old Civic Arena site? A shiny new stadium wasn't enough?

Schenley conversion has definitely started.

[eschaton]

Construction has begun on the new Arsenal project in Lawrenceville, which is officially dubbed Arsenal 201. The first phase involves building out the intersection of Butler and 39th, and will involve 243 apartments and 19,000 square feet of retail, with the first units available next summer, and the first phase of construction finished in 2018. The total number of apartments will eventually reach 625.

Originally Posted by Johnland

After looking around street view of carron St and then along Ellsworth, I see Shadyside Detailing is still on that prime corner of Ellsworth and Maryland. Talk about potential for redevelopment. I also noticed what looks like a recent building at 5730 Ellsworth (not sure how post the google street view). Pretty nice. That block of Ellsworth has really held its own and keeps improving.

5730 is the Bovie House, a 15-unit apartment building which was finished in 2013. I think the building is — ugly (looked 20 years old immediately upon construction) but it brought some needed density to the street.

Ellsworth was never intended as a commercial street, from what I understand. it was originally built out as residential. A few storefronts were added in the 1920s as spill over from the East Liberty business district (it originally linked up with Centre Avenue via a now-demolished bridge). It's been making major strides, but it has a long way to go before it has a coherent street wall like Walnut, and may never actually reach that point at all.

[Austinlee]

Originally Posted by eschaton

Construction has begun on the new Arsenal project in Lawrenceville, which is officially dubbed Arsenal 201. The first phase involves building out the intersection of Butler and 39th, and will involve 243 apartments and 19,000 square feet of retail, with the first units available next summer, and the first phase of construction finished in 2018. The total number of apartments will eventually reach 625.



5730 is the Bovie House, a 15-unit apartment building which was finished in 2013. I think the building is — ugly (looked 20 years old immediately upon construction) but it brought some needed density to the street.

Ellsworth was never intended as a commercial street, from what I understand. it was originally built out as residential. A few storefronts were added in the 1920s as spill over from the East Liberty business district (it originally linked up with Centre Avenue via a now-demolished bridge). It's been making major strides, but it has a long way to go before it has a coherent street wall like Walnut, and may never actually reach that point at all.

Hmm, i tend to disagree. Turn the street view around and look at the types of buildings this infill project had to blend with. On the other side of the street, some VERY bland old brick apartment buildings, and then on Ellsworth, brick storefronts like the Tipsy Cow and and assortment of 2-3 story commercial buildings. I think it was appropriate.

https://goo.gl/maps/JbkhXQ2weCr

[photoLith]

Iphone pics I just took from the top of the Cathedral of Learning.

IMG_7004 by photolitherland, on Flickr

IMG_7003 by photolitherland, on Flickr

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by Austinlee

Hmm, i tend to disagree. Turn the street view around and look at the types of buildings this infill project had to blend with. On the other side of the street, some VERY bland old brick apartment buildings, and then on Ellsworth, brick storefronts like the Tipsy Cow and and assortment of 2-3 story commercial buildings. I think it was appropriate.

https://goo.gl/maps/JbkhXQ2weCr

You're right that the surrounding area has bland and/or remuddled architecture. I just don't think that's a good excuse though. An area can't up its game unless better structures are built. Given there's not much in the way of good Victorian-era storefronts, I think modern infill like this, and this work better on Ellsworth than they would elsewhere in the city.

I also think the first floor storefront is basically "buried" by the design. You have to look closely to see it's there at all. It seems like an afterthought thrown onto the boxy design. It honestly "reads" to me as being an office building with no ground floor retail from street level, which might be part of the reason part of the retail space is still vacant.

More broadly though, I should say that good building design won't matter if/when Ellsworth actually fills in more with street-fronting commercial. The architecture on Walnut Street or Forbes in Squirrel Hill is nothing to write home about at all, but the consistent street wall and level of pedestrian activity means no one is spending time looking at the buildings.

[Austinlee]

Originally Posted by eschaton

You're right that the surrounding area has bland and/or remuddled architecture. I just don't think that's a good excuse though. An area can't up its game unless better structures are built. Given there's not much in the way of good Victorian-era storefronts, I think modern infill like this, and this work better on Ellsworth than they would elsewhere in the city.

I also think the first floor storefront is basically "buried" by the design. You have to look closely to see it's there at all. It seems like an afterthought thrown onto the boxy design. It honestly "reads" to me as being an office building with no ground floor retail from street level, which might be part of the reason part of the retail space is still vacant.

More broadly though, I should say that good building design won't matter if/when Ellsworth actually fills in more with street-fronting commercial. The architecture on Walnut Street or Forbes in Squirrel Hill is nothing to write home about at all, but the consistent street wall and level of pedestrian activity means no one is spending time looking at the buildings.

I'm a big fan of the modern infill on Ellsworth. But now that we are talking about it, there are some very ugly pockets as well for an otherwise upscale area. That little house next to 5730 is quite ugly. The worst though is that auto detailing place. I can't believe that nobody has torn that down to replace with a multi use building. Also the mini mart next to Bovie House. I would tear it down and build multi story with convenience stores or whatever else on street level. It's ugly.

I agree with you about the retail. They need signs hanging out over the sidewalk or something that pedestrians can read instead of flat signs against the building.

[Bricktrimble]

Originally Posted by daviderik

No, You're right. The lower portion is fabricated metal mesh like the cladding on most parking decks. It's called sci-fi chic. Inspired from all those mesh walls in star trek. (That's total Bull — btw)

How about a brick screen which is becoming more popular all over the world?http://www.dezeen.com/2014/02/12/saw-swe...don-school-of-economics-odonnell-tuomey/ Is that better than metal???

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by Austinlee

I'm a big fan of the modern infill on Ellsworth. But now that we are talking about it, there are some very ugly pockets as well for an otherwise upscale area. That little house next to 5730 is quite ugly. The worst though is that auto detailing place. I can't believe that nobody has torn that down to replace with a multi use building. Also the mini mart next to Bovie House. I would tear it down and build multi story with convenience stores or whatever else on street level. It's ugly.

Most of the really ugly and under built structures have been owned by the same holding companies for 20-30 years. I'm guessing they don't improve because either the business owners directly own the buildings, and do just fine business there, or else the landlords do not have the capital to build higher intensity infill.

I'd also say the Shadyside Plaza mini-mall is pretty awful. The huge front lawns of the 1930s rowhouses across the street don't belong at all on a commercial strip, as nice as they are. That said, nothing will ever go in here - each rowhouse individually owns a strip of land headed to the street, instead of a condo-style common ownership, which means absolutely nothing is happening with the 70-foot deep front lawns any time in this century - unless property owners individually build 14-foot wide storefronts on their giant front lawns.

[Austinlee]

Originally Posted by Bricktrimble

How about a brick screen which is becoming more popular all over the world?http://www.dezeen.com/2014/02/12/saw-swe...don-school-of-economics-odonnell-tuomey/ Is that better than metal???

That is an interesting idea. I would love to see more cor-ten steel facades used in Pittsburgh as an homage to being the city of metals but is is extremely expensive or what? not sure why you don't see it too much. And I am thinking for small applications like new new home facades in the city or small storefront facades.
My dream would be to construct a 1,500 - 2,000 sq ft modern style new construction single family home overlooking the skyline on a corner or tucked away hidden lot probably in a neighborhood like Spring Hill, Fineview, Troy Hill or perhaps along Arlington Avenue going up into Allentown. I like this style very much:








Of course we already have precedent for cor-ten steel residential with views in the city right now.

This home features in the NYT overlooking Emerald Glass factory in the Southside with sweeping views of the SS Flats and the Oakland skyline.

[AFW523]

Originally Posted by Austinlee

That is an interesting idea. I would love to see more cor-ten steel facades used in Pittsburgh as an homage to being the city of metals but is is extremely expensive or what?

Is that what they used to wrap the stairwell for the Pittsburgh Brass Building renovation?:

Cause it's dope.

[Austinlee]

Originally Posted by AFW523

Is that what they used to wrap the stairwell for the Pittsburgh Brass Building renovation?:

Cause it's dope.

Whoa, — that looks like it. I feel cor-ten steel should be made the "honorary building material" for Pittsburgh from here on out considering how ridiculously appropriate it is for our regions heritage. It's at once both industrial-chic, a tangible visual nod to our regions proud history and at the same time an en vogue building material popular in many progressive cities. Also it has the feature of slowly oxidizing over time changing colors, essentially making it a changing piece of architectural art. Amazing!

[daviderik]

Originally Posted by Bricktrimble

How about a brick screen which is becoming more popular all over the world?http://www.dezeen.com/2014/02/12/saw-swe...don-school-of-economics-odonnell-tuomey/ Is that better than metal???

It's less about intriguing design or better architectural aesthetics. And more about cheaper material.
Keeping costs down. Which seems to be in abundance for new development around town.
But unlike most sites this is in a prominent location. That said. I still think it's an improvement over the current dated center.

[daviderik]

Originally Posted by Austinlee

Whoa, — that looks like it. I feel cor-ten steel should be made the "honorary building material" for Pittsburgh from here on out considering how ridiculously appropriate it is for our regions heritage. It's at once both industrial-chic, a tangible visual nod to our regions proud history and at the same time an en vogue building material popular in many progressive cities. Also it has the feature of slowly oxidizing over time changing colors, essentially making it a changing piece of architectural art. Amazing!

Austin, Do you like the US Steel Tower? I can't blame cor 10 for the design. But I suppose it's a monument for modern 60's-70's design.
I never see this protective rust that was to form. Just — steel.
Cor 10 used to be on both side of the the Liberty Tunnels. I like the original portholes that are now restored.
And they recently used Cor 10 for the backdrop of the Manchester bridge adornment on the north shore.

[Austinlee]

Originally Posted by daviderik

Austin, Do you like the US Steel Tower? I can't blame cor 10 for the design. But I suppose it's a monument for modern 60's-70's design.
I never see this protective rust that was to form. Just — steel.
Cor 10 used to be on both side of the the Liberty Tunnels. I like the original portholes that are now restored.
And they recently used Cor 10 for the backdrop of the Manchester bridge adornment on the north shore.

The US Steel tower is OK but the giant black monolith has never been my favorite tower.

I like cor-ten steel on smaller applications like custom homes, commercial accents and institutions like museums.

[eschaton]

Phase 1 of the Larimer redevelopment is finished.

Does anyone remember what's supposed to happen with the later phases? It looks like another 249 units are slated for construction at some time. I do know ELDI was planning on relocating East Liberty Gardens residents into the new complex, with East Liberty Gardens eventually being razed, so the redevelopment there might be included in the unit count.

Edit: The Auburn Street apartments are also supposed to be razed eventually, but I don't think there are any plans to replace them, as they're on the fringes of the neighborhood and that area going back to green space may help with stormwater runoff.

[photoLith]

Is all of that Larimer new development public housing? I hope not.