Union Trust Building (Pittsburgh, Oliver, Penn: to rent, buy, tenants)

[nuwaver88]

One of the architectural jewels of Downtown, The Union Trust Building, has now sat vacant for over three years. Workers have been working here and there on ground level retail spaces, but seem to be in no hurry. The only space put on the fast track was the one on the corner of Oliver and Grant, so a First Commonwealth Bank could move in. Whoopee.
Jimmy Johns was supposed to move next door on Grant, but their space is not ready. They really need to finish these ground level spaces so tenants can move in. There is no other ground level tenant other than the bank. Also, there are several spaces inside that are vacant in what used to be a mini-mall. I could see those spaces being used for office space, like the rest of the building. It would be nice to get the upper floors occupied too. The entire building is vacant. One would think that this is a great location. The nearby Starbucks, Brueggers, and Dunkin' Donuts do very well. Whoever owns this building needs to finish these ground level spaces. It is a shame to see this gem boarded up for so long.

This photo from Google Street View is a few years old. Today these vacant storefronts are boarded up with plywood, all the way around the building, except for the bank. It has been that way for a few years now. Meanwhile businesses continue to operate and sell junk on dumpy Fifth and Forbes.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...,254.84,,0,1.9

[alleghenyangel]

The Union Trust Building is not vacant. Siemens is headquartered there.

[nuwaver88]

Originally Posted by alleghenyangel

The Union Trust Building is not vacant. Siemens is headquartered there.

Ok, I thought it was entirely vacant. There is no argument about the ground level retail spaces. That much I can see.

[robrobrob]

When Mellon pulled out it was a tough space to rent. Basically, it really only works for a big tenant since it is open in the middle.

[feanix]

I used to work in that building for 5 years. Small, elegant, and I always found myself walking just a little bit slower so I could admire it on my way in and out of the office. There was Mellon, smaller firms, and law offices housed there. I particularly loved Christmas in the building. The firemen would would bring in one of those large trampolines and would center it on the bottom floor of the rotunda for their a money drive so you could throw money down from the higher floors onto it while local school carolers would be singing in the background. My friends and I would buy those little parachute army guy toys (remember them?) and we'd rubber band a dollar around the guy and let them parachute down. Lots of fun.

I always considered that building one of the prettiest in the city, and I hope that the city never gets rid of that building! What it lacks in stature it makes up for in character.

[alleghenyangel]

Originally Posted by feanix

I always considered that building one of the prettiest in the city, and I hope that the city never gets rid of that building! What it lacks in stature it makes up for in character.

I believe it's a city-recognized historic landmark, thus cannot be torn down without the board's approval (seriously doubt that would EVER happen).

[BrianTH]

Yeah, I also doubt it is going anywhere. And I am sure it will eventually be well-utilized again.