Apt's, rooftop bar next to consol (Howard: apartments, loft, exemption)

[pman]

sounds like a decent plan

The four-story complex would include 10 loft apartments ranging in size from 800 to 1,800 square feet on the second and third floors above the restaurant, which hasn’t been named. Rents would range from $1,000 to $2,500 a month.

The rooftop bar would be 3,500 square feet.

A city Zoning Board of Adjustment Hearing to review the plans is set for July 12. The developer is seeking an exemption from minimum parking requirements. The cost of renovating the building is $3.5 million, records show. ..

Rooftop bar would add

[cheezit34141988]

I've been thinking - where Mellon was, why not turn that into an outdoor mall type area - Southside Works-esque, or something like that, with a bunch of shops/restaurants/chain sports bars, etc!? Some loft apartments? A block or two like that would really help connect downtown to the Consol/Hill area, would it not?

Instead they're turning it into a parking lot?! WTH?

I have a friend who lives in the Crawford Square apartments right there along Centre, thats not a bad area at all.

[BrianTH]

I believe there was a false start on this project once before. Hopefully this happens now--that whole near section of Uptown has a TON of potential (and still a lot of cool old buildings).

[gallacus]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

I believe there was a false start on this project once before. Hopefully this happens now--that whole near section of Uptown has a TON of potential (and still a lot of cool old buildings).

I was thinking the same thing, although this article claims these people have purchased the two buildings already. That's one step further along than the previous project ever got. Let's hope this happens, those buildings are a terrible eye-sore in an amazingly opportune location!

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by dtrtrggr13

I've been thinking - where Mellon was, why not turn that into an outdoor mall type area - Southside Works-esque, or something like that, with a bunch of shops/restaurants/chain sports bars, etc!? Some loft apartments? A block or two like that would really help connect downtown to the Consol/Hill area, would it not? Instead they're turning it into a parking lot?! WTH?

The parking lot is just temporary. Their master plan for the site includes office, apartments, and retail.

Some renderings (poor quality because they were blown up from small images in the P-G):

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by gallacus

I was thinking the same thing, although this article claims these people have purchased the two buildings already. That's one step further along than the previous project ever got. Let's hope this happens, those buildings are a terrible eye-sore in an amazingly opportune location!

The subtext of the article was that they have now brought in partners who know what they are doing with a project like this. I hope that is true!

Oh, and I 100% endorse a waiver of the parking minimums (there should be none of those anywhere in the near-Uptown).

[pman]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

I believe there was a false start on this project once before. Hopefully this happens now--that whole near section of Uptown has a TON of potential (and still a lot of cool old buildings).

sounds like the project stalled because the guy was trying to hold out for more money...which also sounds like a common problem

he buildings sold for $900,000, Allegheny County records show. Initially, Uniforms USA owner Howard Elinoff sought $2.5 million for all three buildings. He said he lowered the price upon realizing that demanding a higher amount could stand in the way of development that would enliven Uptown’s Fifth Avenue corridor, known in spots for surface parking lots and vacant buildings.
“I did it for the good of the city,” said Elinoff, who will continue to operate Uniforms USA in the third building. “I could have sat on it for a long time. I could have been like everybody else and had these buildings that weren’t going to be used. But now it’s going to be a win for the city. It’s the first seed of something really special being built.”

[Craziaskowboi]

I'd like to see a few midrises close to the U.S. Steel Tower and BNY Mellon Center. There's absolutely nothing of substance to the east of the two tallest buildings in the city, which makes the view of the skyline from the east the worst of all directions.

[UKyank]

They could put in a really nicely landscaped mini central park at the civic arena site as they would essentially be able to start with a blank canvas.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by Gnutella

I'd like to see a few midrises close to the U.S. Steel Tower and BNY Mellon Center.

I agree. Specifically, I'd like to see the portions of the site closest to Downtown more or less match up with the Chatham Center in terms of height and density.