Downtown Population increased 25% since 2000 (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh: shoppers, Whole Foods, cars)

[BrianTH]

There is a lot of self-serving nonsense in that article coming from people with a vested interest in marketing the relevant areas.

That said, of course it is true that any new development area is going to tend to have more rapid growth, in percentage terms of home sales, population, and so on, than mature areas. You can even see that just looking in the City at the two lists associated with the article--the 14th Ward remains a much bigger market than the 2nd Ward, but because the 14th Ward is relatively mature and the 2nd Ward counts as a relatively new area for residential development in the City (over the last decade as compared to immediately proceeding decades), the 2nd Ward had a much higher percentage-wise growth rate.

The problem is when you start reading more into the faster growth of newer areas more than that they are new. For example, obviously there is not some tax explanation for the 14th Ward versus the 2nd Ward growth rates.

[pman]

If I'm not mistaken the growth downtown puts Pittsburgh in unusual company since many similarly sized metros lost population while downtowns in large metros gained population. Also interestingly fast growing metros and declining metros both added people to the outer ring at a rapid clip.

[pman]

finally, some condos for me ; )

Architect Tony Poli briefed city planning commission members Tuesday on a proposal to convert the two top floors of the seven-story Hartley-Rose Building at 425 First Ave. into luxury condominiums, with more floors to follow in the future...Mr. O'Loughlin said the condos will be "$1 million plus units" with 3,000 square feet of space, lots of light and views of the Monongahela River. "Everything will be first class," he said...He hopes to get started on the seventh floor condo, which will feature a rooftop deck, by January and have it completed by early summer...

Read more: Condos planned at historic site - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

[AaronPGH]

Weird. I wonder how well those will sell...

[greg42]

Originally Posted by AaronPGH

Weird. I wonder how well those will sell...

It is weird. $1 mil plus aren't exactly flying off the shelves in 3 PNC from what I understand. But the building styles will be different.

From what I've heard there's a better hole in the market a little below that, somewhere in the $750k range, at least with a larger unit. I even know of such a unit that could be done for less than that but it's a full gut reno project (already gutted).

[BrianTH]

I like to see these buildings in First Side going residential. I like less seeing them doing big, expensive units (even if they sell, that means fewer new units).

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

I like to see these buildings in First Side going residential. I like less seeing them doing big, expensive units (even if they sell, that means fewer new units).

I've always thought First Avenue would make a great "quiet residential" street in Downtown. It's one way, and currently has more of an alley feel than anything, but there are some nice old smaller buildings in spots, and the rear of a lot of other buildings could be reconfigured to have more storefronts and less parking lots. Then all you'd need is some more street trees, and small infill projects to eliminate the surface parking.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by eschaton

I've always thought First Avenue would make a great "quiet residential" street in Downtown. It's one way, and currently has more of an alley feel than anything, but there are some nice old smaller buildings in spots, and the rear of a lot of other buildings could be reconfigured to have more storefronts and less parking lots. Then all you'd need is some more street trees, and small infill projects to eliminate the surface parking.

That's a nice vision, although I think it might be in some tension with wanting to maximize the value of river views on the southern side of the Avenue, meaning properties along that side might continue to want their "fronts" facing south with their "backs" to First Avenue. I am particularly thinking of a proposed infill hotel project around Cherry Way, that now seems dead, which had that sort of orientation.

[pman]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

That's a nice vision, although I think it might be in some tension with wanting to maximize the value of river views on the southern side of the Avenue, meaning properties along that side might continue to want their "fronts" facing south with their "backs" to First Avenue. I am particularly thinking of a proposed infill hotel project around Cherry Way, that now seems dead, which had that sort of orientation.

A hotel could have two entrances thus fronting both sides, particularly if parking is not included in the structure.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by pman

A hotel could have two entrances thus fronting both sides, particularly if parking is not included in the structure.

Indeed, but you might have to mandate such a solution to them.