Burns & Scalo proposes high-rise (foreclosure, landlord, design)

[nuwaver88]

Here is a very crude rendering. This looks more conceptual than anythhing. Turn page to "Pittsburgh's newest rivefront highrise." In this rendering, the Equitable Gas Building is still on the the corner of Fort Pitt and Smithfield, and Burns and Scalo's new building is next to it on Fort Pitt Boulevard. I thought this new building was to be on the corner parcel and the Equitable Building razed?

Project Showcase from Burns & Scalo Advisory Services

[neurodistortion]

How tall are some of the other buildings along that stretch? If I recall, there were some 20-25 story buildings around there. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to add a few more floors if a large corporation decides they need the additional space and it would also better blend in aesthetically with the neighboring buildings.

[nuwaver88]

The building is being promoted as "1 Smithfield," but it actually looks lie it will be on Fort Pitt Boulevard in that vacant lot to the left of the building on the corner in this photo. That is according to the rendering in my previous post. Things may change.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...0,0.05476&z=15

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by Herodotus

Isn't there a height limit along Ft. Pitt Blvd?

There is a formula for how the height can increase as you get farther from the river. 16 stories is about the limit given that formula.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by nuwaver88

I thought this new building was to be on the corner parcel and the Equitable Building razed?

It was always supposed to go into the parking lot, which was bought along with the former Allegheny County Human Services building at 1 Smithfield. Here is an article from last year:

Burns & Scalo to build Downtown high-rise on Smithfield St. | Pittsburgh Business Times

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by neurodistortion

How tall are some of the other buildings along that stretch? If I recall, there were some 20-25 story buildings around there. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to add a few more floors if a large corporation decides they need the additional space and it would also better blend in aesthetically with the neighboring buildings.

Once you get east of 151 First Side, there is nothing very tall along Fort Pitt itself. However, in the backdrop you have Lawrence Hall (Point Park University) and some other old skyscrapers along Fourth Avenue that are in that 20ish range. I'd personally support a variance to allow this building to go up to that height, but it looks like they are content with 16.

And to be fair, if they make full use of the possible footprint, that could still be a pretty big building in terms of square footage.

[BrianTH]

By the way, here is a nice skyline photo showing the site almost dead center (in front of the red and white sign on what was at that point the Y):



From a slightly different angle (now a little right of center):



Even at 16 stories, this could be a major new contributor to that sort of view, in light of the riverfront location.

[Craziaskowboi]

I say make it 20 to 25 stories. It'd fill a gap in the skyline that way.

[BrianTH]

Here is my crude attempt to show what the difference between around 16 stories and around 20 stories would look like:

[RockLobster]

well done ! nice visual thanks.