Category Archive: Pittsburgh Tribune Review
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Council grants North Side temple historic status
By Jeremy Boren
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, August 6, 2008Pittsburgh City Council Tuesday sought to end a long-simmering controversy by dubbing the former Malta Temple building in the North Side a historic structure.
The decision will protect the stately brick building on West North Avenue from demolition, but it also could prompt legal action from the Salvation Army, which has owned the former social club since the 1970s.
Salvation Army officials have fought the historic designation because they want to raze the edifice to make way for a larger $5 million facility on the same street. The nonprofit organization runs a social services center in the 81-year-old building, which officials say would be too costly to renovate.
Salvation Army officials last week said they might challenge City Council’s decision in court.
“We are very disappointed in the vote,” said Maj. Robert J. Reel, the organization’s Western Pennsylvania divisional commander. “And we are exploring our options.”
Members of the Mexican War Streets Society, a neighborhood group, said they nominated the Malta Temple building for historic status to preserve the neighborhood’s historic appeal.
In a final decision, City Council voted 8-1 in favor of the designation, with Councilman Ricky Burgess casting the lone dissenting vote.
Burgess argued historic designation should not be forced upon the building because it serves as a place of religious worship.
Jeremy Boren can be reached at jboren@tribweb.comor 412-765-2312.
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Union Trust gets first major tenant
By Sam Spatter
FOR THE TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, August 5, 2008Downtown’s Union Trust Building on Monday obtained its first major lease since it was purchased by new ownership — with Siemens Engineering signing a 10-year lease to occupy three to six floors in the landmark building.
Siemens Engineering, a unit of Siemens AG, is consolidating its local environmental engineering operations in the building, said Jeremy Kronman, executive vice president of CB Richard Ellis, who headed a team that represented the owner, MIKA Realty Group of Los Angeles.
“We will relocate about 500 Siemens people from 441 Smithfield St. and Oxford Centre, both Downtown, along with personnel in the Crane Building in the Strip District, starting in October and complete it during November, and add several hundred more jobs as we grow,” said Siemens Engineering President Tony DoVale.
In February, Siemens received $2.95 million in state aid in return for a pledge to create 550 jobs within three years. It said at that time that a $5 million expansion project could triple its local operations.
Kronman said the office space leased by Siemens could accommodate up to 1,200 workers.
The 600,000-square-foot building, undergoing a major renovation, was purchased by MIKA Realty Group in February for $24.1 million and was 99 percent vacant. It formerly had been occupied by Mellon Bank as an operations center.
“This tenant is a natural fit with the nature of this development: Siemens’ focus on environmental engineering directly matches our vision of a LEED-rated corporate facility of the highest quality,” said Michael Kamen, principal of MIKA Realty Group, and his investment partner, Jerry Fox, in a statement.
As part of the upgrading of the 11-story building, MIKA has placed a $250,000 scuptured tree in the lobby as “an indication of the rebirth of the building.”
Other improvements that are part of the remodeling include a new lobby, new restrooms, installation of a lower-level parking facility, upgrades to conference facilities and 325-seat theater/auditorium, new exterior lighting, new storefronts and exterior cleaning.
Kronman indicated that other leases may be forthcoming for the building but declined to identify the companies.
Formerly known as Wheelabrator Air Pollution Control Inc., Siemens is a custom manufacturer of air pollution control equipment and systems for industrial and utility applications.
Representing Siemens were Gerry Dudley, Kurt Mrazik, Paul Novello and Jeff Babikian of CBRE’s Corporate Services Group.
Sam Spatter can be reached at sspatter@tribweb.comor 412-320-7843.
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Pitt students trace evolution of historic Bloomfield mansion
By Laura Van Wert
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, August 1, 2008The historic windows of a Bloomfield mansion have a set replacement schedule.It’s one of several results of a 12-week study by a class of University of Pittsburgh students who investigated the architectural history of the Henry J. Lynch House, which is home to the Waldorf School.
The research uncovered the chronological history of the ownership, building additions, subtractions and renovations as the property changed from a private residence to a school.
“It was actually really interesting going into the archives,” said Lauren McConnell, 22, a senior architecture student in the class. “It sounds kind of mundane, but it’s really interesting finding out who did what and when.”
Nine students presented results Thursday on different aspects of the building.The Lynch House has a complicated history, they said. The property was first owned by the Winebiddle Family in the early 1800s. Henry Lynch, who made his living selling dry goods, bought the property and started construction of the mansion in 1868.
The deed passed through several hands before it was bought by the Ursuline Order in 1895 for $33,000. Throughout the 20th century Ursuline Academy served as an exclusive and progressive school for girls.
In 1993, JoEdda Sampson bought the building and renovated parts of it. The property was sold in 2003 and is owned by the Waldorf School of Pittsburgh.
The Waldorf School will seek to place the Lynch House on the National Register of Historic Places.
This is the first Pitt architecture class to offer historical preservation field work to students, said Jeff Slack, the course instructor and architect for Pfaffmann & Associates in Pittsburgh.
The idea came about last year when Brendan Froeschl, facilities manager of the Waldorf School, contacted Drew Armstrong, director of the Architectural Studies program at Pitt, about starting field work on the preservation of the Lynch House, Slack said.
“This is an opportunity for learning, and an opportunity for partnering,” Slack said. “There is such a broad historic classroom outside.”
Three or four more years of research remain for future classes to conduct. Next summer, the class will investigate the property’s chapel.
“There’s really not a limit of what we can do,” Slack said.
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Repairs under way on Schenley fountain
By The Tribune-Review
Wednesday, July 30, 2008Restoration has begun on a landmark fountain in Schenley Plaza, the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy said Tuesday.
The fountain sculpture, titled “A Song to Nature,” created by Victor David Brenner, was dedicated 90 years ago to acknowledge Mary Schenley’s gift and later sale of land to become Schenley Park.
Brenner is perhaps best known as the designer of the Lincoln penny. The figures on his bronze fountain — his first large-scale public project — are an allegorical depiction of culture taming nature.
Conservancy president and CEO Meg Cheever said an inspection of the fountain found corrosion, staining and cracks. Its plumbing stopped functioning in spring.
The restoration, expected to be completed by October, will include repairs, cleaning, plumbing, paving and landscaping. A gift from The Benter Foundation will provide lighting for the fountain and plaza.
In addition to The Benter Foundation, money for the restoration is coming from the Allegheny Regional Asset District, the Howard E. and Nell E. Miller Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, The H. Glenn Sample Jr. MD Memorial Fund through the PNC Charitable Trust Grant Review Committee, and the Juliet Lea Hillman Simonds Foundation.
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Repairs under way on Schenley fountain
By The Tribune-Review
Wednesday, July 30, 2008Restoration has begun on a landmark fountain in Schenley Plaza, the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy said Tuesday.The fountain sculpture, titled “A Song to Nature,” created by Victor David Brenner, was dedicated 90 years ago to acknowledge Mary Schenley’s gift and later sale of land to become Schenley Park.Brenner is perhaps best known as the designer of the Lincoln penny. The figures on his bronze fountain — his first large-scale public project — are an allegorical depiction of culture taming nature.
Conservancy president and CEO Meg Cheever said an inspection of the fountain found corrosion, staining and cracks. Its plumbing stopped functioning in spring.
The restoration, expected to be completed by October, will include repairs, cleaning, plumbing, paving and landscaping. A gift from The Benter Foundation will provide lighting for the fountain and plaza.In addition to The Benter Foundation, money for the restoration is coming from the Allegheny Regional Asset District, the Howard E. and Nell E. Miller Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, The H. Glenn Sample Jr. MD Memorial Fund through the PNC Charitable Trust Grant Review Committee, and the Juliet Lea Hillman Simonds Foundation.
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Pittsburgh council OKs historic status for Malta Temple
By Jeremy Boren
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, July 30, 2008In a preliminary vote today, Pittsburgh City Council dubbed the 81-year-old Malta Temple building on the North Side a historic structure.The historic status prevents the Salvation Army, the owner, from demolishing the building without the Historic Review Commission’s consent. The nonprofit religious organization had planned to raze it and build a $5 million social services center in its place.Councilman Ricky Burgess was the sole voice of dissent in the 8-1 vote in favor of historic status. He said the building qualifies as a church and shouldn’t have the historic designation forced upon it.
The Mexican War Streets Society, a neighborhood group, nominated the building for historic protection to preserve the neighborhood’s historic appeal.
Jeremy Boren can be reached at jboren@tribweb.comor 412-765-2312.
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Face-lift planned for Hill landmark
By Bonnie Pfister
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, July 29, 2008The Hill District’s long-vacant New Granada Theater turned 80 in March and looks every minute of it.Its facade of green, gold and blue is crumbling. Its fourth floor and parts of its roof have collapsed. Front entrances are bricked up and painted over.
The Hill Community Development Corp., which purchased 80-year-old New Granada Theater in 1995, expects to receive a $500,000 grant from the state's Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program to rehabilitate the building. It will be paired with a $250,000 grant received from The Heinz Endowments in May 2007. - Andrew Russell/Tribune Review
Light bulbs and tangled wires hang loose from the now-skeletal marquees at Centre Avenue and Devilliers Street, which once proclaimed the appearance of such jazz legends as Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong and Dizzy Gillespie.
The Hill Community Development Corp., which purchased the building in 1995, expects to receive a $500,000 grant from the state’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program. It will be paired with a $250,000 grant received from The Heinz Endowments in May 2007.
Development corporation chair Marimba Milliones said initial preservation work will begin later this year, although another estimated $1.25 million to complete stabilization is needed.”We need to secure the roof, and work on bracing the left side of the structure,” Milliones said. Community input — and more fundraising — would precede redevelopment of the building.
“Given its history, we’d like to see . . . a percentage of that space used to celebrate the cultural legacy of the Hill District,” Milliones said. “But it’s a huge building. Our opportunity for redevelopment is very versatile.”
Designed by black architect Louis A.S. Bellinger, the building was originally a lodge for the Knights of Pythias, a fraternal order of black construction workers, according to the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation. A second-floor ballroom began hosting prominent black musicians, with Duke Ellington crowned the “King of Jazz” in a 1932 concert, part of a pioneering national radio broadcast.
In 1938, it became a commercial theater, renamed the New Granada with a polychromatic Art Moderne facade — the more horizontal-oriented successor to Art Deco, known for its curved walls and canopies.
It was designated a city historic landmark in 2004, nominated by the Young Preservationists Association of Pittsburgh. With two grocers vying to build a supermarket nearby, association CEO Dan Holland said the neighborhood could become increasingly viable for would-be New Granada investors.
“It’s probably the most important building in the Hill District — partly due to location, but also as a symbol,” Holland said. “It would be symbolic for the Hill’s renaissance to see that building restored.”
Bonnie Pfister can be reached at bpfister@tribweb.comor 412-320-7886.
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Landmarks expand reach with $5 million loan from PNC
By Ron DaParma
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, July 24, 2008A $5 million loan will help Landmarks Community Capital Corp. spark more development in urban neighborhoods in the Pittsburgh area.The loan by PNC Bank to Landmarks Community Capital’s Urban Economic Loan Fund will be announced today in Homewood by the nonprofit investment company and PNC.“This first investment in the Urban Economic Loan Fund will be the catalyst for more development in urban markets throughout Pittsburgh,” said Howard B. Slaughter Jr., CEO of Landmarks Community Capital.
“We are appreciative of PNC’s willingness to invest in the fund and have already made commitments to utilize this funding.”
Landmarks Community Capital is considering Homewood for one of its next investments, Slaughter said. PNC is the only banking company with a branch there, he said.”Homewood is a key urban market, and we wanted to come to the neighborhood to spark more interest in development there,” he said.
Prior to the PNC investment, the corporation has been using funds from its Preservation Loan Fund, Saughter said. The corporation is an offshoot of The Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation.
Those investments have included a $462,000 low-interest loan to Friendship Development Associates to build three loft-style residential units in the Bloomfield-Garfield area, and $160,000 loan to help the Hosanna House social service organization restructure financing and initiate additional development in Wilkinsburg.
The corporation also loaned $885,000 to the East Liberty Development Inc. to help build 35 condominiums at the historic former YMCA building in East Liberty and four condos in Queen Anne-style homes being rehabilitated on Rippey Street.
“Our commitment makes it possible for Landmarks Community Capital Corp. to offer below-market interest rates on loans, which will stimulate initiatives in affordable housing and community development,” said Linda F. Morris, senior vice president and Western Pennsylvania market manager for PNC.
Ron DaParma can be reached atrdaparma@tribweb.com or 412-320-7907.