2014 Skyscrapers in Pittsburgh: (Under construction and proposed) (Butler, Liberty: neighborhoods, prices)

[bmust71]

Originally Posted by SteelCityRising

With the recent revelation that fracking is causing seismic activity to occur in Ohio, and given the Ohio River Valley's relative proximity to the New Madrid Fault, I've found another reason to dislike fracking. How would you all feel if fracking led to an earthquake that devestated Memphis?

If Shell wants to instead locate their regional HQ in Southpointe, then more power to them as far as I'm concerned, and let Oxford renovate that historically-significant building instead of tearing it down for another skyscraper when there are PLENTY of massive open lots left Downtown to develop.

Sorry but i just dont understand how someone can turn their nose up to an ENTIRE INDUSTRY that can take Pittsburgh to new heights. Sure there are some negative effects from fracking but Memphis is not gonna fall into an abyss tomorrow. The positives far outweight the negative and it aint even close.

[pman]

Originally Posted by Gee Whiz

I don't know if it Shell or not, but I do agree that Oxford is seemingly bent on going tall at this site. They have owned that property on 440 Smithfield for quite some time and announced the 350 Smithfield project nearly two years ago be it the renovation or the office tower. Tenants have been gone from the building for a while. Even if no new tenants had been lined up for a prospective renovation, Oxford most likely would marketed as it was being re-done. Oxford has the capital and reputation to do it this way. Oxford's website does promote the renovation and the tower to prospective tenants, but I still think renovation would have been well under way if they decided to surely go that route. They did not throw their hands up and scrap the office tower proposal when US Steel and later maybe Chevron decided on not being the anchor the tenant in the new tower. They more than likely would have renovated(or started) by now on that prime locale. Then again we shall see.

one oxford center is one gigantic downtown killer. i hope they fail to attract a new tenant for a tower. i did like what burns scalo (i think) added to the skyline and best of all, they were to build on a surface lot

[Gee Whiz]

Originally Posted by pman

one oxford center is one gigantic downtown killer. i hope they fail to attract a new tenant for a tower. i did like what burns scalo (i think) added to the skyline and best of all, they were to build on a surface lot

Burns and Scalo still has yet to build their proposed "Monongahela Tower on Fort Pitt Boulevard. Their design competition has three designs to choose from to attract a prospective tenant.http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...start=3&ndsp=6http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...start=9&ndsp=6http://www.desmone.com/project/skyli...n-competition/
http://www.desmone.com/wp-content/up...very-small.jpg

[JoeP]

The city will have nothing to do with where Shell goes. I don't see them going downtown. Why would they? They likely will have employees going to sites outside of the city, so it seems that they would want to be closer to those sites.

[Buckeye Burgher]

Originally Posted by JoeP

The city will have nothing to do with where Shell goes. I don't see them going downtown. Why would they? They likely will have employees going to sites outside of the city, so it seems that they would want to be closer to those sites.

Ask anyone in the staffing biz, and they will tell you Downtown has become a tough sell to potential recruits. Even for low-level clerical temps. You can't park, and each time the Port Authority has a funding crisis the transit gets crappier and crappier. The majority now will say "no thank you" if you call them about a job Downtown. Not when they can park right in front of the building at Parkway Center or Foster Plaza.

[AaronPGH]

Originally Posted by Buckeye Burgher

Ask anyone in the staffing biz, and they will tell you Downtown has become a tough sell to potential recruits. Even for low-level clerical temps. You can't park, and each time the Port Authority has a funding crisis the transit gets crappier and crappier. The majority now will say "no thank you" if you call them about a job Downtown. Not when they can park right in front of the building at Parkway Center or Foster Plaza.

Downtown is shifting. In my industry (marketing and advertising), everyone is moving *towards* downtown because the types of employees that work there want that atmosphere. They want to ride transit to work and bike there. They like the new restaurants and the buzz of it – that's worth it to this crowd. On top of that, the largest clients in the city have their headquarters there. It's an easy walk to meet with anyone.

[Gee Whiz]

Originally Posted by AaronPGH

Downtown is shifting. In my industry (marketing and advertising), everyone is moving *towards* downtown because the types of employees that work there want that atmosphere. They want to ride transit to work and bike there. They like the new restaurants and the buzz of it – that's worth it to this crowd. On top of that, the largest clients in the city have their headquarters there. It's an easy walk to meet with anyone.

I agree. I worked Downtown for several years. It is an exciting place to be. If you are offered a decent gig, you will be able to afford to live there. A lot of people are doing just that and the demand is massive given the waiting lists for apartments and certain condos. Different strokes for different folks. You cannot simply plug in a notion that was true twenty years ago and assume that today's job searchers and today's Downtown are the same. Granted, it is true that Downtown parking and commuting is a bit of a hassle for suburbanites with cars like it always was. However, if you live on the T, in the East End, or an adjacent neighborhood, you can be Downtown in a snap. Things do indeed change.

[PghYinzer]

Worked in an office park and hated it. The commute was miserable, had to drive to get lunch, and wore out the brakes on my car sitting in traffic. I have been downtown for 7 years now, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. Twenty min ride on the bus, and endless options for lunch and drinks after work. I also buy gas once a month, and put about 5000 miles on my car each year.

[wpipkins2]

The glass on the Tower @ PNC Plaza looks amazing. Its very transparent.

[FreightTrainRunning]

I'd love to work downtown; my commute would be a twenty-five minute walk mostly through parks. Unfortunately, most of the tech companies seem to be either on the southside or east end so I have to commute.