PITTSBURGH | Development Rundown II

[BrianTH]

We may not get one megaproject out of the Cultural Trust properties, but I would be cool with a sequence of higher-quality moderate products gradually using up that land.

[BenM]

Originally Posted by Private Dick

The headline is a bit misleading and unnecessary, but it's a shame that the PAA has fallen so far. It was once a pretty posh spot. It's been showing signs of neglect for a while now though. A remnant of another era, I guess... but having the water and electricity shut off for lack of payment... that's telling that there's more going on than just some financial trouble. And the fact that the little grass and shrubs that exist on the property never got cut for a few years points directly at total lack of concern by the club's management and membership.

I was there for an event a few years ago for the first time in probably 15-20 years and I was surprised at how dated and shabby the interior was (worn carpets, broken door handles, broken light fixtures, dirty walls, dirty silverware and glasses, etc.)... it was bad. Service at the bar/restaurant in the basement was basically nonexistent since there was only one old woman working (she was the only good thing about the place) and the food was inedible (they pretty much put a bloody, cold slab of fat on a plate and serve it as prime rib. All this to say, you could tell the place was going to run into the ground at any point. I'm actually surprised I didn't see a headline like this a couple years ago.

I wonder how the new hotel plans play into this situation... and if it will actually remain a private club or be purchased by Pitt? I imagine that Pitt would like to own the PAA property, especially since they own the entire lot behind it.


Pitt students forced to abandon rented rooms at Pittsburgh Athletic Association

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2...g-Fifth-Ave-Oakland/stories/201704120067

Sounds bad. Would the developers of the proposed Marriott consider buying the building (assume their debt?) and renovating instead of building a new hotel on the land the club owns?

[highlander206]

Originally Posted by Private Dick

Yeah, I think Spring Hill (and Troy Hill) probably offers my favorite view of the city.

I agree, I love seeing the view of the city driving down Itin, the skyline looks so "full" from that angle.

Originally Posted by Private Dick

It's tough for some of the hillside neighborhoods to have true business districts... not only from an available, realistically buildable space perspective, but also due to lack of easy/quick access and isolation.

That's the negative for me when it comes to those neighborhoods -- lack of connectedness and walkability. I love the views... it's amazing to open your front door and see the cityscape laid out before you, but I always felt so disconnected from the city when I lived there (southside slopes, Mt. Troy just above Troy Hill).

That is a big negative to those neighborhoods. You basically will need to drive somewhere even for just a few small items. The bus transit in those neighborhoods also is infrequent compared to other parts of the city IMO.

[chiaroscuro]

Originally Posted by TBone7281

That's pretty cool, I rather like those two buildings. Seen HERE.

I was kind of excited when I saw "11 story addition", but they mean a new construction to the complex in general, not to the existing buildings.

Rendering of the addition here:

http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/ne...hth-and-penn-project-moving-forward.html

[BrianTH]

Kevin Acklin, chair of the URA board, added the new project comes as the Pittsburgh Parking Authority is closing in on choosing submissions for the redevelopment of its 586-space Nine and Penn garage, a project that envisions incorporating a major new mixed-use approach onto the site while meeting the ongoing parking needs.

I don't know if this is meant to be including news or not, but originally they weren't sure if it would be a mixed-use or just parking project, and it would depend on the proposals they got. So if Acklin is suggesting they were satisfied with the mixed-use proposals, that would be great news to me.

[BrianTH]

Nice travel article:

https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/04/12/tr...ust-belt-arts-culture-budget-travel.html

There are too many of these these days to link them all, but this one I particularly liked because his "frugal" travel style led him to a lot of the cooler, more distinctive Pittsburgh things.

[BrianTH]

The Pitt Building in Downtown has completed restoration:

http://www.post-gazette.com/ae/art-archi...ories/201704090007?pgpageversion=pgevoke

It is a fairly unique building for Downtown and the interior spaces look pretty cool.

[BrianTH]

Riverfront 47 has changed its access plans, hopefully mooting the NIMBY opposition to its old plans:

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/north/...ories/201704120214?pgpageversion=pgevoke

[DKNewYork]

CMU broke ground yesterday on the Tata Consultancy Building, now to be called TCS Hall.

http://www.cmu.edu/news/stories/archives/2017/april/tcs-hall-groundbreaking.html

[highlander206]

Originally Posted by chiaroscuro

Rendering of the addition here:

http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/ne...hth-and-penn-project-moving-forward.html

I'm pretty excited to see this get going. The new building will also replace one of the many parking lots down in that area so this is a win-win for restoration and eliminating lots.

[highlander206]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

I don't know if this is meant to be including news or not, but originally they weren't sure if it would be a mixed-use or just parking project, and it would depend on the proposals they got. So if Acklin is suggesting they were satisfied with the mixed-use proposals, that would be great news to me.

I didn't even realize they were looking at redeveloping that big garage. It is a bit of an eyesore especially with the many beautiful buildings on Penn.

[BrianTH]

As a reminder, Eighth and Penn has a lot going on further off Penn, including a cool diagonal passage consciously pointed at Katz Plaza:

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by highlander206

I didn't even realize they were looking at redeveloping that big garage. It is a bit of an eyesore especially with the many beautiful buildings on Penn.

Absolutely. If that gets done well, together with Eighth and Penn it will dramatically improve the look and feel of that part of Penn (and presumably Ninth too).

[Minivan Werner]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

We may not get one megaproject out of the Cultural Trust properties, but I would be cool with a sequence of higher-quality moderate products gradually using up that land.

I think Riverparc could still be used more as a rough template for what should go in that area, in terms of what stays, what goes, and overall height and density. Just without the uniformity of the original plans.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by Minivan Werner

I think Riverparc could still be used more as a rough template for what should go in that area, in terms of what stays, what goes, and overall height and density. Just without the uniformity of the original plans.

I remember thinking it looked cool, but I wasn't sure they were preserving all the historic buildings.

[photoLith]

Eighth and Ten is freaking fantastic. They are well under way with restoring the two historic buildings that are left, so hopefully we see construction start on the new buildings soon. Its a very progressive development and unlike anything else that has been done in the city.

[SEFTA]

This is so exciting to see things happening here again.

[chiaroscuro]

Does anyone know how many 100+ year old buildings are in the CBD?

[Dr. Avis the 10th]

Hey guys, Dr. Avis here ! Hope everyone is doing ok, especially my favorite poster here PhotoLith :p. I hope everyone is excited at all of the progress President Trump has already done to make my country great again! Just a few points I wanted to make:

1. What's with all of the talk about even more hotels going up on this city? How many hotels does a city that keeps losing more people year after year due to liberalism? Plus we have a ton of great hotels here in the metro already! Look at this great quality inn in Hampton right off the turnpike and so close to many great dining options. You can even get rooms with a hot tub! https://www.choicehotels.com/pennsylvania/gibsonia/quality-inn-hotels/pa122?source=gyxt

2. Why's this city building so many apartments when people keep leaving? Who's gonna live in them LOL!

3. How's the​ crime this year? I never have to worry about it up here so just thought I'd ask and see what the deal is!

[Dr. Avis the 10th]

Originally Posted by chiaroscuro

Does anyone know how many 100+ year old buildings are in the CBD?

Who knows, it's an overrated thing to look at IMO. Places like Charlotte, Houston, and Orlando ​don't worry about this and are still booming.