Downtown Population increased 25% since 2000 (Pittsburgh, Washington: sales, real estate market, leasing)

[BrianTH]

Incidentally, I am going to pull out my crystal ball and make a prediction that the people behind this are Millcraft, the people who have also done Piatt Place, Market Square Place, bought the State Office Building, and are planning The Gardens (which would be betwen Fourth and Forbes the next block closer to Market Square). They had talked about doing something on Wood Street to complement Piatt Place and their Market Square projects, and actually had the development rights to 430-438 Wood at one point.

[nuwaver88]

I agree. The market is taking care of itself and will continue to do so.

[nuwaver88]

I hope something is done to the adjacent corner of the buildings purchased. This is the southwest corner and mustard yellow building. It was a McDonald's for several years and most recently was a Shuman's Market. That building seems to have no historical value and would be a good candidate for the wrecking ball. The businesses across the street are pretty shoddy also.

http://maps.google.com/?q=loc:+84th+...259.7,,0,-9.11

BTW, this would be an idea place to see another highrise go up. It would fill in some gaps in the skyline from certain angles.

[BrianTH]

Speak of the devil . . .

Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation » Building owner casts wary eye on Millcraft

The Bolan Candies Building is the corner building just bought. If the buyer is Millcraft, hopefully they have learned from their Market Square Place experience that preserving the historic building would be a very good idea (and preservationists would go nuts otherwise).

[nuwaver88]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

Speak of the devil . . .

Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation » Building owner casts wary eye on Millcraft

The Bolan Candies Building is the corner building just bought. If the buyer is Millcraft, hopefully they have learned from their Market Square Place experience that preserving the historic building would be a very good idea (and preservationists would go nuts otherwise).

The building that I mentioned was a possibilty for a three story bookstore. This might work with Point Park being so near. Of course, that article is four years old. Millcraft had it's eye on nineteen properties even four years ago. I give them a lot of credit for stepping up to the plate and helping revitalize Downtown.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by nuwaver88

BTW, this would be an idea place to see another highrise go up. It would fill in some gaps in the skyline from certain angles.

Provisionally I would agree with that, although I have always wondered if there might be something decent under that ridiculous siding.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by nuwaver88

Millcraft had it's eye on nineteen properties even four years ago. I give them a lot of credit for stepping up to the plate and helping revitalize Downtown.

They certainly had a vision, and so far it seems to be largely paying off for them. The funny thing to me is they are basically reshaping the heart of Downtown for what is ultimately not that much money. But that is Pittsburgh in a nutshell.

Anyway, if it isn't Millcraft, I hope it is someone looking to do something just like Market Square Place.

[pman]

count Pitt lucky that there wasn't more eminent domain and razing downtown than there was. these businesses were keeping those buildings alive, for better or worse, but the time seems to be coming that they will be reused again. it's far better that they're kicked out by a private owner than some redevelopment scheme or government decision on what kind of businesses should be there. I'd guess they have a specific use in mind (whether it be to change the tenants or whatever).

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by pman

count Pitt lucky that there wasn't more eminent domain and razing downtown than there was. these businesses were keeping those buildings alive, for better or worse, but the time seems to be coming that they will be reused again. it's far better that they're kicked out by a private owner than some redevelopment scheme or government decision on what kind of businesses should be there. I'd guess they have a specific use in mind (whether it be to change the tenants or whatever).

I couldn't agree more. I'm willing to poke a little fun at the nature of some of these businesses, and I am not shedding any tears over them being moved out now that there are higher-value users willing to pay for the buildings. But they provided the rents that kept this district from being leveled, and just as with the Cultural District, I think we are ultimately going to be grateful that leveling never happened.

[caroline2]

Originally Posted by pman

it's far better that they're kicked out by a private owner than some redevelopment scheme or government decision on what kind of businesses should be there.

Amen. I do feel terrible for those business owners, though. What a terrible time to have your business disappear out from under you.