Station Square project finally going to break ground? (Pittsburgh: tenants, theatre)

[Copanut]

If they put some condos down there I just might be tempted. Easy access to the highways, boat ride to Bucco games, my favorite "joint", The Gandy Dancer within crawling distance, along the bike trails, just wish they had kept Hooters.

[gg]

http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburg...on-square.html

[_Buster]

I'm really getting sick of the 6 story apartment projects everywhere. This is on prime land directly opposite downtown, you would think they'd go at least 10-12 stories and keep the rest of the land for a potential future project. The higher floors would have incredible views as well. More middling crap is not what's needed there.

[Lost_In_Translation]

I'd like taller as well, but honestly this is Pittsburgh, not Chicago or New York or even Philly. The city has less than 400,000 ppl. we don't need 10+ Story density outside of the CBD

[BMan_152]

Originally Posted by _Buster

I'm really getting sick of the 6 story apartment projects everywhere. This is on prime land directly opposite downtown, you would think they'd go at least 10-12 stories and keep the rest of the land for a potential future project. The higher floors would have incredible views as well. More middling crap is not what's needed there.

It sounds like everyone is trying to avoid getting their buildings classified as "highrise".. There are probably some very heavy cost implications due to the stricter code requirements for a highrise.

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by BMan_152

It sounds like everyone is trying to avoid getting their buildings classified as "highrise".. There are probably some very heavy cost implications due to the stricter code requirements for a highrise.

From what I understand, the costs rise dramatically once you go much above six stories, because you have to switch away from partial "stick" construction to building the structure entirely out of steel. And unfortunately, Pittsburgh rents, although they have climbed, are nowhere near high enough yet (on the residential or commercial front) to warrant steel-framed highrises.

[fleetiebelle]

Updates to the Freight House on the way: 'Significant' update may be in store for Station Square's Freight House Shops | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

“We want to maintain the integrity of the Freight House Shops, probably reconfigure it, and maintain the aesthetic value of it,” he said.

“We’re going to do some structural improvements and probably make it more open.”

The company will work with current tenants as part of the redevelopment, he said. Among other users, it is considering chef-driven restaurants and locally sourced food venues as possible new tenants.

[lifepgh2op]

While I hope this redevelopment of apartments and new restaurants/retail proves to be successful, I can't help but think of the South Side Works, and how it still has massive retail vacancies despite having apartments and office buildings.

[szug-bot]

Originally Posted by lifepgh2op

While I hope this redevelopment of apartments and new restaurants/retail proves to be successful, I can't help but think of the South Side Works, and how it still has massive retail vacancies despite having apartments and office buildings.

Why is that? All that parking, a pleasant walking experience for customers...Could it be there is not the critical mass of potential customers? It's possible the Waterfront had won out potential tenants.

[speagles84]

Originally Posted by lifepgh2op

While I hope this redevelopment of apartments and new restaurants/retail proves to be successful, I can't help but think of the South Side Works, and how it still has massive retail vacancies despite having apartments and office buildings.

Originally Posted by szug-bot

Why is that? All that parking, a pleasant walking experience for customers...Could it be there is not the critical mass of potential customers? It's possible the Waterfront had won out potential tenants.

I'm inclined to believe that the area was built to be a dense town center, and simply does not have the (walkable diatance) population density to warrant that much shopping. However, with all the new residential development (finally) this could change quickly.

I feel like these developments push the Commerce side first because its more $$$ early, but they eventually fail because they depend on having residential population close to keep them busy and open.