Loading ...Post Gazette Editorial: Grand plan: Makeover on Mount Washington deserves support
by 15211Advocate ~ May 29th, 2009. Filed under: Latest News.On the same day we recieved a copy of a lame attempt to stop the progress happening on “The Edge” development via a petition, this editorial was published today!
Friday, May 29, 2009 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The boarded-up building that sits rotting next to the Monongahela Incline has been an eyesore on Mount Washington for the last three decades, marring the view and attracting seedy late-night activity.
Now a Chicago developer is proposing to dramatically transform the spot with an $80 million plan for a luxury hotel, condominiums, a fitness and spa facility, and a pair of restaurants overlooking the Pittsburgh skyline.
One Grandview Avenue, at the corner of Wyoming Street, would replace The Edge, a restaurant that closed in 1979. The prime location has failed to attract successful development since then, with the most notable disappointment a proposed Ritz-Carlton in the 1990s that never materialized after encountering community disapproval and financial trouble.
Before developer Steven Beemsterboer and his associates can move forward, they need approval from city officials because the building, at 19 stories, would exceed the neighborhood height limit of 100 feet. In addition, the project would cut into the Grandview Scenic Byway Park, green space that encircles Mount Washington and Duquesne Heights.
One Grandview is full of promise and deserves support from the city Planning Commission, City Council and Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, as long as no one loses sight of the significance of its position on the summit. Its scale is large, but the building cascades to fewer floors on its eastern side and would present a bookend to the scenic stretch of Grandview Avenue, with the Trimont condominium building at the western side of the ridge.
Although One Grandview Avenue would take a slice out of the scenic byway, the developers have answered this concern by proposing walkways and stairs that would provide access to the green space protected in 2006.
The only other question mark is Mr. Beemsterboer’s $10,000 contribution to Mr. Ravenstahl’s re-election campaign, a gift that should not influence decisions about the project.
One Grandview would reinvigorate a plot of prime real estate that has languished in disuse for far too long, and should it fail to win approval, it could be a long time before another worthy project comes along.
First published on May 29, 2009 at 12:00 amRead more:http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09149/973466-192.stm#ixzz0GvVpdvKq&B
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June 22nd, 2009 at 9:47 am
I love that someone is finally doing this site justice. With that said, what’s up with the “Italian-style coastal villas”? I LOVE the idea of condos being built into the side of the mountain, but the architect/developer couldn’t have picked something a little more tasteful than a fake Italian style villa? Isn’t this going to look a little out of place with the rest of Mt. Washington? Why not some sleek, modern condos, or something more traditional Pittsburgh looking? They may turn out more tasteful than I’m imagining in my head – I sure hope they do at least, but come on. Isn’t this a *little* more tacky than normal for Pittsburgh?
June 23rd, 2009 at 9:52 am
Aaron, i agree that this development is much needed but I think your OPINION about the “Italian-Style Coastal Villa” is way off. The renderings are just that, renderings. Of course he was and should be inspired by the villas of Italy but lets hold judgement about asthetics until we see a bit more of what the final design is.
Honestly I’m fine with and design but this seems like a nit picky thing to bring up. Maybe you’re just trying to distract people from the awesomeness of these plans? Not sure…
also, since when has Mt. Washington been a place of “sleek modern condos?” and what exactly is “traditional Pittsburgh Looking” run down empty houses from the turn of the century? No thanks!
June 23rd, 2009 at 11:41 am
I’m intrigued by your comment, 15211 Advocate. Why should he (the Architect) be inspired by the villas of Italy? Just curious.
June 23rd, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Richard, Aaron, you obviously have never been to any of the MWCDC meetings where the architect and the developer talked about their plans. The architect explained how he got his ideas. There were at least 4 meetings open to the community. Do you live in 15211? Just curious.
June 23rd, 2009 at 7:42 pm
Ruthie,
Relax… I was just curious as to why 15211 thought that the architectural style “should be” inspired by italian villas. Why is everyone so defensive on this blog?
June 23rd, 2009 at 7:56 pm
Sorry Richard, a lot of us have been “fighting” really hard to get some positive development on that sight for quite some time. 25 years! ! Its finally within our grasp and we don’t want anything or anybody to change that.
June 24th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Richard.. simple.. the topography.
June 24th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
Really? I missed that in my Architecture classes. But everyone is entitled to their opinion.
June 24th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
funny i had 2 classes on designing with the landscape/topo in my Architecture curriculum. You must have went to Penn State.
June 24th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Richie, haven’t you ever been inspired by anything? Sad if you haven’t.
June 24th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
Funny. Just found your comment odd and was wondering what it was all about.
June 24th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
My comment odd? not really. What I find odd is that anyone would question the inspiration of a seasoned architect and developer. I tend to leave this kind of stuff up to the experts.
June 24th, 2009 at 9:43 pm
I’m not sure how an opinion can be way off, isn’t it an opinion? All I am saying is that “italian style” villas seem to be mismatched for the neighborhood (and city, and even the rest of the development itself!). Bright stucco walls and red shingle roofs? That wouldn’t exactly blend in with the topography or the other houses nearby. It’s a style of architecture that isn’t fresh.
And like I said before, these things may prove to turn out looking really nice, not tacky. I am hoping for that. All I have to go on is the description here. It’s a great project for a deserving neighborhood, I just hope the architect goes the less tacky route with these condos. This development is going to be front and center for anyone that visits, and I’d hope they see something inspiring instead of dated looking.
June 24th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
have you seen the PRELIMINARY plans? I haven’t seen “bright stucco walls and red shingle roofs” on any of them.. just saying.. i think you’re taking his “inspiration” way too literally. the other houses nearby are turn of the century “burgh” style which really doesn’t have much character IMHO and I don’t think anyone wants to see more of them!
read this and check out the sketch closely.. doesn’t look Italian to me.. but looks inspired! http://15211.org/one-grandview/
June 25th, 2009 at 6:15 am
15211,
I was not questioning the inspiration of the architect. I was questioning you stating that the project “should be” inspired by Italian villas. I don’t understand your reasoning behind it, but hey, that’s your opinion.
And for the record, a “seasoned architect” does not mean that they are talented or inspirational at all. Trust me. I work (and have worked) with many seasoned architects and they are not ALL inspirational. Age/years in the business does not mean that you are talented.
I am not implying in anyway that the architect of this project is NOT seasoned and fully support this project.
It was just your comment that caught my attention.
June 25th, 2009 at 6:21 am
Aaron and Richard: How do you feel about the existing structure? Does it blend in with the topography of the houses nearby? Graffiti, garbage, weeds etc. Have you ever looked at it from the city? What an embarrassment. The new development is dated looking?! Not fresh? By the way have you signed the petition yet?
June 25th, 2009 at 8:38 am
Ruthie, it’s obvious Dick and Aaron are coming into this with strong opinions on how the hired architect should view the project. While they are entitled to their “opinions” lets not let them distract us from the fight still ahead of us… getting the thing built! They probably work for design firms that didn’t win the bid to work on this project and think they know what they are talking about.
June 25th, 2009 at 8:45 am
Yes I’ve signed the petition, and yes I’m behind this development! It needs to happen. All I was doing was voicing a possible design/architecture concern I have – NOT saying that I don’t support this thing. Do I think this project will ultimately look great in that spot? Yes I do. Do I think more time and creativity could have been put into the designs? Yes I do. That doesn’t mean it’s a bad development or that I don’t support it. Questioning an architect or having a community push that architect a little further to give Pittsburgh something REALLY noteworthy isn’t a bad thing.
Have you looked at the car port at the bottom of the hotel in the renderings? It looks like it was yanked from a 1980s shopping mall. There IS room for improvement here. But like you guys said, it’s a heck of a lot better than the abandoned piece of garbage that has been sitting in that space for over two decades. I’m happy to see that thing go away and this project will be a great replacement.
June 25th, 2009 at 8:57 am
Aaron,
How many times do you think that we have to say that we support this development before these people will listen?
Not once have I criticize the design of this development in any way.
Ruthie,
I tried to sign the on-line petition many times but for some reason I couldn’t get the form to work.
15211,
Careful, your maturity level is showing. Kind of ugly if you ask me. Seriously, was that really necessary? Dude. I would have expected more from you.
June 25th, 2009 at 8:57 am
Also, 15211Advocate, I love that anyone who voices concerns on this project *MUST* work for a competing design firm! You’re right! There’s no possible other explanation, is there?
There are a lot of people that do have an interest in architecture and development, and guess what – not all of them are actually in the industry! Fancy that. Architecture can be a form of art, but it can also be a disaster. I love Pittsburgh. It’s an incredible city with an amazing collection of buildings. I just think we need to be a little more careful so that we MAKE SURE we don’t end up with one of those architecture “disasters” sitting on a pedestal in arguable one of the most prominent locations in our city.
For an example of just that happening in Pittsburgh, take a look across the river at that ridiculous casino parking garage – a blemish on our riverfront because nobody in this city with power had the courage to take a stand against it.
June 25th, 2009 at 9:01 am
Took the bait.. thanks.
June 25th, 2009 at 9:42 am
Apologies, I didn’t realize I was stepping onto this message board to get trolled. What was I thinking trying to have an intelligent conversation about this? I won’t do it again.
June 25th, 2009 at 9:54 am
I’ve got to agree with Ruthie on this one. Anything will be better than Dr. Francis Hurite’s graffiti, garbage, and weed covered Edge property.
When criticizing the design, it is important to keep in mind that this is a private development (no public subsidies involved). Ultimately, the developer and the market gets to decide what is or is not tasteful.
Re: “taking a stand” against the development on the North Side
This is what happens when you do that:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09174/979212-53.stm
June 25th, 2009 at 10:10 am
I realize it’s a private developer. But it is a private developer that has opened up his project to community input. If he asks for it, we’re all allowed to give it. He can do whatever he wants with the input at that point – take it to heart or throw it out. But at least the community did their part and spoke up if they felt necessary to.
I’ll close this post with another “I can’t wait to see this thing built!” just in case anyone else is confused on my overall stance.
June 25th, 2009 at 11:21 am
While refusing to get involved in some of the more “petty” areas of this debate, I do want to add the Luke Desmone showed many images as his inspiration, one being itialian villas, but the more relative inspiration point was the south side slopes…
the presentation went like this – Luke D. described how people all over the world have been building on hillsides for a very long time….take the italian villas for example… then he clicks over to images of the south side slopes and explains – how the housing on the slopes is a unique thing about pittsburgh and the condos at the edge, perched on the mountain side, would have a similar look and feel.
I think at this point, arguing the color of the roofs is in the same category of arguing over what kind of light bulbs will be used in the dining facility. Advocate – I know you have heard me make this argument before….
Aaron and Richard – - I would urge you to attend the next public meeting with the design team to give your input, or even write some notes down in a letter and send it over to him, or send it to me or Chris Beichner at the MWCDC and we will see that the input is passed on.
Point is – this is getting done, and we all have the responsibility to see that it gets done and in a way that showcases our niehgborhood and city as a whole.
No one wants a bad looking building here – and a little bit of back and forth is a good thing. But we are all united on the concept of getting this project built.
June 25th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
JT, when is the next meeting public meeting for the project?
June 26th, 2009 at 7:59 am
At the moment there is not one scheduled (the developers were just at the community forum meeting this month) but there will be more meetings scheduled. We try to have Luke Desmone (or someone from his group) give an update at our regular meetings every few months. So, most likely the next discussion will happen at a regularly scheduled CDC meeting (3rd thrusday of every month).
I will make sure we get it up on this site as soon as the next meeting is scheduled.
June 26th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Ok, thanks! I’ll keep my eyes peeled.