Downtown Population increased 25% since 2000 (Pittsburgh, Oliver: movies, shop, activities)

[pman]

one thing that is hard to quantify, quality. new, quality establishments are much more important than just new ones

[LEFT]Now open for several months, Meat & Potatoes certainly is more casual than Nine on Nine, Mr. DeShantz's fine dining restaurant a few blocks up Penn Avenue. There are no tablecloths, the dining room is close and loud, and wine is served in juice glasses. It's open seven days a week and is neighborly about serving dinner late....[LEFT]there are very few spots in Pittsburgh where one can eat and drink so well, in such a splendid setting and at such reasonable prices.

: Meat & Potatoes turns in a smashing performance in the Cultural District
MEAT AND POTATOES

• Tavern 245, Downtown, is now serving brunch on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. tavern245.com; 412-281-4345.
• Taste of Dahntahn, 535 Liberty Ave., opens for dinner today; eventually the restaurant will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. 412-224-2240

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11230/1167927-46.stm

[BrianTH]

Lots of places Downtown seem to be expanding their weekend hours, which is a very good sign and should help build on itself.

[pman]

ToonSeum expansion planned for November

[BrianTH]

That's an interesting little article--they are tripling their space to deal with increased attendance, and it is being driven by out-of-town visitors.

[pman]

He already has two condo projects in the cultural district and is about to embark on his third. He is close to buying a seven-story building at 907-909 Penn Ave. that once housed GNC offices...In his latest project, Mr. Palcic plans to convert the third through seventh floors into 16 to 18 condominiums priced between $200,000 to $350,000. He also is working with the city Historic Review Commission to add private balconies.
The project is expected to bring the return of Mark's Grille to the area. The restaurant, once a Penn Avenue mainstay, will occupy the basement and first and second floors...At 524 Penn, Mr. Palcic is planning 16 condominiums, including seven that will be priced at less than $200,000, a bargain compared to higher-end units in the past few years. The rest will range from $200,000 to $400,000...He hopes to move in the first residents at 524 Penn, known as One Fifth Ave., by February. At street level, Mr. Palcic has plans to add a coffee and wine bar and to transform what is now a pizza shop into an Italian restaurant...A couple of blocks away, at 806 Penn, known as L'Enfant Lofts, the first residents will be moving in next month. Of the six condos, four are under contract and two have been reserved. The units range from $200,000 to $415,000...By keeping prices lower, he said the units are an attractive option for middle class buyers, particularly given the incentives offered by the city and the county totaling about $7,000 a year.
He also believes higher fuel costs, the emergence of the car-sharing Zipcar business, and the renewed interest in living in Downtown will help to drive demand for his units.

Read more: Palcic creating Downtown condo renaissance on Penn Avenue[/LEFT]

[BrianTH]

I love to walk the Cultural District and imagine all the not-yet-renovated buildings filling up with new residential units. I guess I am not the only one! It is already a great neighborhood, and as all these upper floors fill up it is going to become amazing.

By the way, 524 Penn (aka One Fifth) is just a block away from the new Gateway subway station, and only two blocks from Market Square. I think at some point in the future people will be amazed you could ever buy newly-renovated condos there for under $200K.

Edit: I was also interested to see him mention Zipcar. That is really key for Downtown--I can imagine Downtown becoming a very dense residential neighborhood, but it would help a lot if not every household needed a car.

[pman]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

Edit: I was also interested to see him mention Zipcar. That is really key for Downtown--I can imagine Downtown becoming a very dense residential neighborhood, but it would help a lot if not every household needed a car.

I thought you might be, I was as well. Certainly it's a symbiotic relationship, even if it means some go carless and others stick with one car. it lowers the cost of living downtown as well. I always make sure to tell people to walk down penn ave from the train and bus station, should they arrive that way

[BrianTH]

Yep, even now a parking lease would add a serious amount to Downtown COL, and it is only going to get worse (well, until automated cars forever change parking economics as we know them).

[pman]

another chain but that's to be expected from this landlord

[LEFT]Colorado-based Noodles & Company will occupy 2,746 square feet in the former G.C. Murphy store, now known as Market Square Place. Noodles & Company will join DiBella's Old Fashioned Submarines and Chipotle Mexican Grill at Market Square Place. Valozzi's Italian Restaurant also is scheduled to open this fall in the building.
Noodles & Company will offer made-to-order noodles, soups, salads and sandwiches. No opening date was available.

Read more: Noodle restaurant coming to Market Square[/LEFT]

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by pman

another chain but that's to be expected from this landlord


Read more: Noodle restaurant coming to Market Square[/color][/left]

I think you guys will like Noodles and Co. if you ever get one. It's one of our favorite places for a fast meal that's not regular "fast food".