Oxford Development announcing Downtown project (Pittsburgh, Smithfield: leasing, purchase, cost)

[BrianTH]

Somewhat mysterious for now exactly what they have in mind, but the announcement is scheduled for Thursday:

Oxford Development to debut plan Downtown - Pittsburgh Business Times

The address is apparently 350 Fifth Avenue, which I believe is the big building on Smithfield and Fifth (across Smithfield from Macy's):

350 fifth avenue pittsburgh - Google Maps

Of course this is also right next to the site of the new PNC Tower.

[Geeo]

If I'm not mistaken, that building used to be Frank & Seder department store. I think you can still see the outline of the name above the first floor if you look really hard. I wonder if they're going to renovate it or tear it down and build something new?

[AaronPGH]

This much of a heads up with no details, and lots of politicians on board makes me think tower?

[Geeo]

Yeah, the politicians like to get their faces into the pictures when there's a big announcement. Maybe it is a new tower. But that would leave the poor Warner Center scrunched between two skyscapers, wouldn't it?

[AaronPGH]

Actually, if that's the right building in the street view, I can't imagine people would let it be destroyed for a tower.

[JoeP]

Yeah if that is the impacted area, I can't imagine a new tower is involved. Do they purchase buildings? Could they have done that and have a bold project with the building? If so, not sure it warrants politicians, but I can't see them leveling that building.

[FreightTrainRunning]

I'd hate to see that building get torn down.

[Mtl-Cns]

Ya ripping that building down would be a huge waste when there's still that disgusting parking lot on grant street right next to Oxford Center

[bradjl2009]

I'll be interested to see what it could be. I'd imagine it would be something that may cost $100 million+ if they are already talking about it and giving a specific time for a press conference to debut it.

[BrianTH]

If you look a bit down Fifth on Google Streetview, there is an Oxford leasing sign on one of the storefronts. So they may already own the building.

After the buildings they tore down along Forbes for PNC Tower, I could easily see this project involving the destruction of that building. I get the sense the established preservationists may have written off that block for new development.