Downtown living, etc. (Pittsburgh: apartments, rentals, condominiums)

[raubre]

What do you guys think about the new developments hapenniing downtown? Do you think people will be able to live downtown? Will the development work or be a bust?

What does downtown need?

[gameguy56]

Originally Posted by raubre

What does downtown need?

a grocery store

[guylocke]

a grocery store

That's opening in March.

I think all downtown living is wonder. It's currently at 94% occupancy. There is quite a demand for it so far. I think it's really exciting.

[Johnland]

Not just one grocery store, but more food retail options. Like in NY, they have those little shops that sell groceries plus ready made foods.

[guylocke]

Not just one grocery store, but more food retail options. Like in NY, they have those little shops that sell groceries plus ready made foods.

Well one grocery store is a huge start. After all, it's been FOURTEEN years since downtown has had anywhere to buy food.

The population has to come first. We can't start opening up little shops all over the place when there are only a few thousand people living downtown. None of them will make it.

[londonbarcelona]

Originally Posted by Johnland

Not just one grocery store, but more food retail options. Like in NY, they have those little shops that sell groceries plus ready made foods.

I know what you are talking about. Those "grocery shops" are everywhere in NYC! I think that (depending on the population count at this time) a few of those would be more than feasible. THey certainly don't take up much room! They are not much bigger than a starbucks. But they are so quaint. When I'm in France, there are a ton of places to pick up food items also. I'm so used to the european way that even to this day I go to the grocery store (or farmers market, wild oats, whole foods, trader joes, etc.) every other day! I LOVE fresh food and I despise leftovers!

[igo]

I would love to live downtown, but the $2000 rent might be a little high for me

[londonbarcelona]

Originally Posted by igo

I would love to live downtown, but the $2000 rent might be a little high for me

What does 2000 dollars a month get you in downtown Pittsburgh?

[BrianTH]

Given the occupancy rates combined with the fact that so many upper floors in downtown buildings are going unused (meaning residential users would not have to compete for square footage with office and retail), it really does seem to me like the Downtown developments should be a success.

By the way, I know nothing about the retail food business, but I always assumed the Strip was meeting much of the potential market for such business Downtown. I don't think that means there is no possibility of having more food shopping Downtown (obviously, a grocery makes sense for example), but I guess if I was promoting Downtown living, proximity to the shops in the Strip would be part of my pitch.

[igo]

Originally Posted by londonbarcelona

What does 2000 dollars a month get you in downtown Pittsburgh?

I have been seeing 151 firstside apartments popping up on craigslist. The typically are in the $1500 to $3000 range. They are really nice, but I am poor.

151 First Side | Downtown Pittsburgh Condominiums

I would like to see more rentals downtown for people of incomes. I would have no problem living above a storefront.