Plan To Relocate Pittsburgh Playhouse Downtown Approved; Millcraft Proposes Condos For Saks Site

The stage is set for the relocation of the Pittsburgh Playhouse to Downtown. City planning commission members unanimously approved plans for construction of new playhouse complex on Forbes Avenue Downtown today, clearing the way for its move from Oakland.

Approval came over the objections of preservationists who urged the commission to no avail to save three Forbes Avenue facades that will be relocated and integrated into the new complex under the plans advanced by Point Park University.

With today’s decision, Point Park intends to start construction in March with the demolition of three Forbes Avenue buildings and hopes to have the new complex ready for audiences in July 2017.

The $53 million project will feature a 550-seat main theater, a 200-seat adaptive theater with doors that will open to a plaza for outdoor performances, a 100-seat black box theater and supporting facilities.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2015/02/10/Millcraft-proposes-to-build-condos-garage-at-former-Saks-site-Downtown-Pittsburgh/stories/201502100184

Pittsburgh Planning Commission Hears Of Downtown Demolitions, Plans For New Building Near Target In East Liberty

Locator map with the East Liberty neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania highlighted. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The city’s planning commission has inched the Pittsburgh Playhouse a step closer to its relocation from Oakland to Downtown.

In a 5-0 vote, commission members approved the demolition of three buildings on Forbes Avenue after receiving assurances from representatives of Point Park University that everything possible would be done to preserve their turn-of-the-century facades.

Also Tuesday, the commission learned of plans for a new six-story office building in East Liberty across the street from the Target department store, the latest in a wave of development in the neighborhood.

While the commission had received letters from two people opposed to the demolition of the Point Park-owned buildings at 320, 322 and 330 Forbes, including the former Honus Wagner sporting goods store, members decided to approve the request based on assurances that efforts would be made to preserve the terra-cotta facades.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/business/news/developer-plans-6-story-building-near-target-in-east-liberty-696643/#ixzz2ZzOy1mpW