Here's what used to occupy some large Pittsburgh construction sites
It’s tradition for Pittsburghers to give directions to landmarks that no longer exist.
“Turn right where Schenley High School used to be.”
It is a quirk that showcases the region’s love for nostalgia and respect for its history.
Dozens of construction projects are happening in the city. Buildings that housed bygone Pittsburgh brands are being replaced. The former dairy plant for Isaly’s is currently occupied by UPMC as a medical building but will be converted once again as part of the 13-acre Oakland Crossings housing and grocery store development.
The site of a former Sunshine Biscuit Company facility is being converted to an apartment and retail complex, near the Pittsburgh Brewing Co. site in Lawrenceville, where Iron City used to be brewed.
Other conversions didn’t stray far from the building’s original purpose.
Big Spring Spirits is converting a building that was used as a whiskey distillery before prohibition back into a distillery — and adding a rooftop bar, public market and event space — near Station Square.
The building that housed Kaufmann’s in Downtown is home to Target and more retail and apartments in the upper floors. The building is now called Kaufmann’s Grand on Fifth.
Here are some other notable construction projects in Pittsburgh and what used to be there:
Trek Apartments at former Garden Theater site (8 W. North Ave., North Side)
The former theater is still intact, but it will be restored and converted into a commercial space, possibly a restaurant. A 57-unit apartment complex is being constructed next door.
The Assembly life-science research building (5051 Centre Ave., Shadyside)
Located in Pittsburgh’s Auto Row, this state-of-the-art research facility was converted from a former Model T manufacturing plant that was owned by the Ford Motor Co.
Liberty East grocery/office building (141 St. Clair St., East Liberty)
The former site of Penn Plaza apartments, where hundreds of low- to middle-income tenants were forced out as this project moved forward. A years-long battle between the owners, city officials and community groups ensued. Whole Foods will be moving into the ground floor.
Proposed Amazon last-mile facility (27 51st St., Lawrenceville)
Amazon is eyeing a large facility in Lawrenceville for one of its last-mile warehouse facilities. If approved, it will serve a similar retail use as the last tenant: Sears Outlet, which occupied the building from 1949-2020.
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Ryan Deto is a TribLive reporter covering politics, Pittsburgh and Allegheny County news. A native of California’s Bay Area, he joined the Trib in 2022 after spending more than six years covering Pittsburgh at the Pittsburgh City Paper, including serving as managing editor. He can be reached at rdeto@triblive.com.
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