Is it us, or is all of Pittsburgh under construction?
It’s not your run-of-the-mill road work either. We’re talking about massive and, in some instances, monumental developments. Entire neighborhoods are being overhauled. Boutique hotels are popping up all over the place. Tech companies like Apple and Uber are filling new offices. Streets and sidewalks are becoming safer for pedestrians and cyclists. And brownfields are going green.
There’s so many projects underway that they’re hard to keep up with. But we did our best rounding up the most exciting projects underway in around town. They’re further proof that it’s a great time to be a Pittsburgher.
Breaking ground @ 25th and Smallman
Have you been to the Strip District lately? It’s a neighborhood-wide construction zone, in the best possible way. Well, aside from the terminal debacle and the senseless closure of some riverfront trails. Hopefully the grownups figure that out. But while they’re treading water, office spaces and luxury condos are breaking ground. If you’re looking for proof, look no further than 25th and Smallman. Apple is moving into the Yards at Three Crossing, a mixed development, and the million dollar “city homes” are going in across the street at 2500 Smallman.
Creating the CMU Innovation Corridor
In the years to come Carnegie Mellon University is planning to revamp the Forbes Avenue corridor to create an innovation hub that rivals others the world over. First up, the Tepper Quadangle: 750,000 square feet of collaborative research, education and recreational space that will expand upon Cohon University Center, renovate Hamburg Hall and create Scott Hall. Soon thereafter, another 425,000 square foot development, including office, hotel and retail development is slated for another two acre parcel along Forbes Avenue.
Moving towards “Complete Streets”
No matter where you look in Pittsburgh, you’ll see a transition in transportation. From bike lanes and bike shares and a shirt to more walkable streets, the city is ushering in a new era a walking and cycling around town. This era is best represented by Mayor Peduto’s executive order announcing the city’s commitment to creating complete streets. Upwards of $34 million will be devoted to developing streets and sidewalks for everyone, including motorists, walkers, cyclists and individuals with disabilities.
Up and running @ the Energy Innovation Center
The Hill District’s Connelley Trade Center is undergoing quite a makeover. This expansive space, totaling more than 200,000 square feet, is part of a private/public partnership aimed at creating a hub for skills training and education related to innovative and sustainable energy. An epic building in its own right, the former public school will soon house science labs, research centers, local nonprofits, corporations, university programs, apprenticeships and the
Community Kitchen facility.
Looking forward to the ACE Hotel in East Liberty
What do Portland, Panama, Palm Springs and Pittsburgh have in common? Well, aside from sharing a starting syllable, each of these cities has an ACE Hotel. It’s an amenity reserved for the likes of New York, London and L.A. The fact that ACE selected Pittsburgh as the home for it’s first rust belt city says a lot. Something that hotels Indigo and Monaco must have caught wind of as well, because they’ve put down roots in Pittsburgh too. So, it seems as though Pittsburgh isn’t just attracting people, it’s attracting the right people. So we’re rolling out the red carpet for them.
New construction in the Hill District
The massive redevelopment of the 28 acres where the Civic Arena once stood is moving forward. So too is a plan for redesigning Centre Avenue in its entirety. All told, construction of 1,188 residential units, 250,000 square feet of commercial and entertainment space, 632,000 square feet of office space and a 150 room hotel could garner upwards of $400 million in private investment.
Overhauling UpTown
After years of disinvestment and population decline pushed this community to the brink of collapse, recent redevelopment projects have put UpTown on the come up. Following in the footsteps of the Fifth Avenue School Lofts and the Mackey Lofts, the Flats on Fifth will add even more residential units to this neighborhood. Next up for UpTown, the newly established Eco Innovation District plans to rebuild this neighborhood from the ground up, considering economic, environmental and equality issues alongside input from the community.
Luxury living in the South Side
The area around SouthSide Works is experiencing a new round of development. These new projects, including SouthSide Works City Apartments, the Hot Metal Flats and 3030 South Water, offer luxury living at its finest. When all’s said and done, nearly 500 new units will be ready and waiting for residents. In addition to the list of residential units, the South Side will also witness some recreational upgrades. The full-service South Side Marina is under construction in phases. When completed the marina will feature 320 boat slips at South Water and 26th streets.
Big changes on the North Side
Allegheny Center will soon be reinvented, and renamed. Nova Place, as it will be called, is slated to undergo a $100 million renovation that will transform outdated offices and parking spaces into upgraded offices, complete with collaborative workspaces and common areas. There will also be a fitness center, restaurants and conference center. At $24 a square foot, the space is less expensive than the average price in Pittsburgh, $27.50. The price and location is already attraction tenants, including startup investor Innovation Works; who has already claimed 9,000 square feet of their very own.
Getting closer to completion @ Eastside III
If you’ve been to the Target in East Liberty lately then surely you’ve noticed something is up. That something is Eastside III a multi-phase project consisting of a transit center, retail, residential and public spaces. When all’s said and done, this six acre multi-use development will reconnect East Liberty with the surrounding neighborhoods, while adding some 360 apartments, 550 parking spaces and 40,000 square feet of retail to the area between Highland and Penn avenues.
Making room for new residents in Lawrenceville
This place continues to ride the wave of momentum, as it further solidifies its spot as one of Pittsburgh’s hottest neighborhoods. And now, with the addition of a few new residential buildings, there will be more room for new residents. First up, Brooklyn based Crow Hill Development will transform the former Career Connections Charter School, at the corner of 44th and Butler streets, 12ish apartment units. Next, not far away, Fort Willow Developers and Walnut Capital, are planning some 191 apartment units on a five acre site along Willow Street between 41st and 42nd streets, slated to open in 2017.
A brownfield turned business opportunity @ Almono
Once upon a time this 178 acre site was home to LTV Coke Works. At the same time, and largely as a result of the plant, the neighboring Hazelwood community was abound with businesses and vitality. When the mill closed in 1998 the local businesses were shuttered and the community struggled. But at present there’s a plan underway that would reinvent this brownfield; transforming the space into a mixed use, eco-friendly, riverfront development. Soon the Almono site will be booming once again.
[join]What do you think about these developments? Did we miss any? Let us know with a comment here on facebook. [button text=”Click Here to Leave a Comment” link=”https://www.facebook.com/madepgh/posts/915043075235969″ target=”blank” width=”full” color=”black” size=”small”][/join] This content was provided by a local, independent contributor to Made in PGH, a lifestyle blog.
Looking to retire within the next 5 to 7 years and would to invest in some property around the Hill district. before my return Which development company or corporation can I contact to invest.