Neighborhood of the week: North Shore (Pittsburgh, Jefferson Hills: apartments, lofts, hotel)

[eschaton]

Hey all. Posting early again this week. The next week is going to be extremely hectic for me. I'll try to get to the suburb of the week (Jefferson Hills) when I can.

The North Shore is the portion of the North Side immediately across Downtown. Its southern and northern borders are tightly defined by a natural barrier (the Allegheny River) and an artificial one (279 and the railroad tracks). The western boundary of the neighborhood is officially Allegheny Avenue (meaning the Carnegie Science Center and Rivers Casino are technically in Chateau, although they are colloquially considered part of the North Shore. The eastern boundary of the neighborhood is technically at the 16th Street bridge, containing roughly half of the now defunct neighborhood of Schweizer Lock (the half Heinz Lofts isn't located within).

The North Shore had a very long history in the region under a different name - "The Ward." Historically this area was the first ward of Allegheny City - a mixed-use area with a number of smaller-scale factories and rowhouses for the working poor. By the prewar period this had begun to change somewhat, with a lot of the houses being cleared out for a growing industrial and warehouse footprint (similar to what happened in the Strip District. By the time the Three Rivers Stadium was built in 1970, most of the land on which it sat reportedly was just used as a giant scrapyard. Still, by 1980, the neighborhood had become effectively totally depopulated, with just a few hundred residents remaining - something which remains true to this day.

Going from west to east, the "neighborhood" has a few different sections.

First is the stadium area - constructed on the footprint of Three Rivers Stadium after its demolition in 2001. This area includes Heinz Field, PNC Park, Stage AE, a hotel, and several small office buildings. The developer, Continental, was awarded exclusive redevelopment rights in a no-bid contract, and the buildout of the surface lots is way behind schedule, with a planned apartment building delayed for nearly a decade. All of the office structures have been much lower scale than originally intended as well. Some have suggested the Steelers are putting their thumbs on the scale, purposefully causing the developers to underbuild in order to ensure enough surface lots remain in the area for tailgating parties. Regardless, this area is still disturbingly sterile and dead.

The small area between Federal and Anderson Streets is the only zone of the North Shore which really looks urban in its present configuration. Plenty of older structures survive here - mostly old commercial and industrial midrises. No actual homes survive, although I'm pretty sure one of the two buildings which was used by the now-defunct Rosa Villa Italian restaurant used to be a home. Both are used as storage by the Andy Warhol Museum now, which is the biggest destination in this region. Just to the east of this are the Morgan at North Shore Apartments - not the best apartment design from an urban design perspective, but they sit right on the riverfront trail and house 95%+ of the limited number of North Shore residents.

Further east of this area are the tattered remnants of Schweitzer Lock. Only a handful of structures (see here, here, and here) remain, showing the area used to be a dense rowhouse neighborhood. Buncher has systematically bought out this neighborhood over decades, demolishing homes and structures as soon as deals went through. Their long-term goal appears to be to construct a whole "new urbanist" development once they are done with their Strip District project, but it could be another two decades. It's also a shame they felt the need to completely demolish a real urban neighborhood in order to construct a "fake urban" facsimile.

[Merge]

Have you seen any numbers for residents of the North Shore?

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by Merge

Have you seen any numbers for residents of the North Shore?

In 2010 there were 303 residents, and I doubt it has changed substantively. Aside from a few still occupied houses and apartments in the Schweitzer Lock area, all of them are at Morgan at North Shore.

[Merge]

Originally Posted by eschaton

In 2010 there were 303 residents, and I doubt it has changed substantively. Aside from a few still occupied houses and apartments in the Schweitzer Lock area, all of them are at Morgan at North Shore.

Thanks for responding and thanks for all the work you've put into these neighborhood summaries. Invaluable resource.

[Copanut]

Shouldn't it be North Bank?

[sky329]

this is one of the hottest areas in the city.. new club "burn" is under construction right next door to Tequila cowboy not to mention burgatory. https://www.google.com/maps/@40.4459...7i13312!8i6656


I see this area as the newer south side.. I was at mcfaddens for mayweather McGregor and the shore was just packed... the rib fest this weekend should also be packed.. they added these two new monuments sitting areas that look very impressive to take pictures in front of, one is next to bettis the other next to stage ae.. the shore is becoming the go to center for all adult activities.. casino, stadiums and concert venues etc..






Manchester bridge statue

[fleetiebelle]

Originally Posted by sky329

I see this area as the newer south side.. I was at mcfaddens for mayweather McGregor and the shore was just packed... the rib fest this weekend should also be packed.. they added these two new monuments sitting areas that look very impressive to take pictures in front of, one is next to bettis the other next to stage ae.. the shore is becoming the go to center for all adult activities.. casino, stadiums and concert venues etc..

I think that's a stretch. It makes sense that there are bars and restaurants to catch the sports crowds, but I don't know of too many people who'd just go to the North Shore for dinner or to hang out if they weren't already over there for some other reason.

[sky329]

Originally Posted by fleetiebelle

I think that's a stretch. It makes sense that there are bars and restaurants to catch the sports crowds, but I don't know of too many people who'd just go to the North Shore for dinner or to hang out if they weren't already over there for some other reason.

well get out more because you will see and I said "becoming"

[xdv8]

Originally Posted by fleetiebelle

I think that's a stretch. It makes sense that there are bars and restaurants to catch the sports crowds, but I don't know of too many people who'd just go to the North Shore for dinner or to hang out if they weren't already over there for some other reason.

I agree. The North Shore is great for before and after sporting events, but it otherwise attracts a very specific crowd. It's never going to be more than that, which is fine.

[sky329]

Originally Posted by xdv8

I agree. The North Shore is great for before and after sporting events, but it otherwise attracts a very specific crowd. It's never going to be more than that, which is fine.

Once again lol so please tell me some areas to go since everywhere I say you seem to not like.. I must be missing something.. I actually go to the north shore a lot lately because it's been so happening