Happenings in Pittsburgh!! (Philadelphia, Butler, Indiana: real estate, foreclosures, travel)

[boardmanite]

Boylocke,
Thanks for the links! I try to stay up-to-date with the goings-on of Pittsburgh and these articles were very interesting. Some things I hadn't heard of...
Keep 'em comin'

[Katiana]

Yes, thanks. Very interesting.

[prototypepariah]

i'd be curious to see who quoted capital grille as the #1 steak house in the country... when you want capital grille just stop at long horn...same food just in t-shirts.

[guylocke]

Point Park University's enrollment growth spurs expansion

From its humble roots as a secretarial school 74 years ago, Point Park University could be poised to become a prime-time player in Downtown's ongoing redevelopment.

With at least 16 properties under its control, Point Park has the opportunity to reshape the Wood Street corridor from Fort Pitt Boulevard to Forbes Avenue in much the same way the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has transformed Penn Avenue on the other side of the Golden Triangle. It is the second largest property holder Downtown, behind the Cultural Trust.

Among those holdings are four properties on Forbes and two on Fourth Avenue in the heart of the Downtown retail corridor that could give the university a strong voice in the Fifth and Forbes redevelopment, either alone or in partnership with other developers.

Some believe Point Park could end up moving its Pittsburgh Playhouse, now in Oakland, to that area, creating more of a synergy between the retail corridor and the bustling Cultural District.

[guylocke]

when you want capital grille just stop at long horn...same food just in t-shirts

I like Long Horn as well, lol, but The Capital Grille is a much more exclusive and classy establishment. I'm not sure how they would fare in a national taste test, but I don't agree it's the same thing. A lot of these wealthy individuals buying million dollar condo's downtown will not wanna go to Long Horn when they have The Capital Grille (that be like the difference between Red Lobster and Monterey Bay). I think it'll be a good fit downtown. You're right though, I'm not sure who can claim it's #1.

[guylocke]

Oakmont, developers to meet - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Oakmont officials are to meet Wednesday with representatives of Kacin Companies about a plan for a housing development on a portion of the former Edgewater Steel site.
Council members said the biggest disagreement is about how many units should be built.

Oakmont officials contend the development would be too crowded at Kacin's proposed 255 units. Kacin architects argue that they can remove levels from tall buildings, but the plan would look the same but generate less in taxes.

Local government officials, including state Rep. Frank Dermody, have urged Oakmont Council to help get the project moving.

The company expects tax revenue from the new development to bring $5 million a year to Allegheny County, $2.2 million to Riverview School District and nearly $500,000 to the borough.
"It's exactly what the school district needs," said Sue Caldwell, Allegheny County Council member. "It will be a boom for the county budget."

Here are two other links that show renderings and architectural prints, explore. It will be really nice.
Rothschild Doyno Architects - The River's Edge of Oakmont
http://www.liveatedgewater.com/http:// (broken link)

[guylocke]

Intimate Downtown boutique is determined to succeed

"Chick" has a ring of smallness.
Indeed, the new Downtown women's boutique bearing that name is rather compact -- fashionistas would say "intimate" -- at about 2,500 square feet.
Moderator cut: copyrights

[guylocke]

Here is a really nice website to explore. I posted a link from it once already, but here is the home page. It has a lot to do with Pittsburgh turning 250 years old next year! Browse! Really nice stuff.

Imagine Pittsburgh

[guylocke]

Here is an article about the expansion of Crazy Mocha. I think it is so cool how successful Crazy Mocha has become and that it was created right here in Pittsburgh. Crazy Mocha has always been my favorite coffee joint, it is so interesting and unique.

Pop City - Crazy Mocha plans further expansion into Downtown Pittsburgh market

With two new locations in the works, Crazy Mocha Coffee Company is expanding its Downtown presence. After opening shops in Gateway Center, Steel Plaza and the Allegheny Building, owner Ken Zeff identified additional markets in two key locations. “It’s been good enough that we felt we need to open more Downtown,” says Zeff, who will open shops at PPG Two and 801 Liberty Ave. this year.

Future growth is brewing at Crazy Mocha. “We’re trying to grow at a pace we can handle. Downtown will take creativity and a hands-on approach. We’ll get these open and then hopefully look for something else in the spring. We’ve got feelers out--anything’s possible,” says Zeff, who employs 50 people.

[guylocke]

I hope high quality property continues its trend on Grandview. There is no excuse for Grandview not constructing really high-end and gorgeous condo's and town homes along that famous street. People would pay ANYTHING for them. As it is right now, it is such pot-luck what you find up there.

Pop City - $1M Boggs Ave. development brings rental units to Mt. Washington, welcomes tenants

Mt. Washington’s latest residential development is welcoming its first tenants at 411 Boggs Ave. Attracting young professionals and graduate students—many new to the area—the
$1 million project has already filled 11 of its 13 units.

Located in a former Lutheran church and school, the 12,000 square-foot project features 13 one- and two-bedroom rental units that range in size from 600 to 1,200 square feet. Rents range from $500 to $1,100. The property also features a four bedroom, single-family home that once served as a rectory. The 3,000 square-foot, two-and-a-half-story home is also for rent.

“Boggs Avenue is right in the heart of Mt. Washington. You can walk to everything and the bus stop is right in front of the building,” says Bazari, who next plans to develop a 12-unit townhouse project at the end of Grandview Ave.