Developer Plans Apartments On First Avenue In Downtown Pittsburgh

A map of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with its neighborhoods labeled. For use primarily in the list of Pittsburgh neighborhoods. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

For the past several years, developer Todd Palcic has made his living developing condos and apartment buildings in Downtown’s cultural district. Now he’s taking his talents across town.

Last week, Mr. Palcic completed the purchase of the former Graphic Arts building at 422 First Ave., with plans to convert the eight-story, red-brick structure into apartments.

“I think there’s a need for apartments on that side of town,” he said Thursday.

Mr. Palcic paid $800,000 for the building and another $350,000 for an adjacent lot, which will provide parking for those who eventually will be living in the building. CBRE was the broker in the sale.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/business/news/developer-plans-apartments-on-first-avenue-in-downtown-pittsburgh-682004/#ixzz2PVdnKyme

Easton’s Long-Defunct Pomeroy’s Building Rents Apartments, New Restaurant On Way

Skyline of Easton, PA from Lafayette College (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

For 35 years the hulking, empty Pomeroy’s building symbolized the decline of Easton’s downtown.

Once a flourishing department store, the property was shuttered in 1977 and sat untouched on Northampton Street just a few dozen yards from Centre Square.

But a $4 million rehab that created 22 apartments, retail space and a restaurant has reclaimed what Mayor Sal Panto Jr. called the city’s white elephant. New renters arrive June 1, the building’s first tenets since the original “Star Wars” movie was released.

William Vogt and Mark Mulligan, partners in VM Development and owners of Pomeroy’s, said the project is a risk, but they believe Easton is ripe for their mix of high-end apartments and large retail spaces. Mulligan said six of the apartments, one- and two-bedroom units with granite counters, wood flooring and 14-foot ceilings, have been leased without much marketing.

Read more:http://www.mcall.com/news/local/easton/mc-easton-pomeroy-building-leasing-apartments-20120511,0,3901989.story

Lancaster Mixed-Use Project In Former Armstrong Buildings

First proposed as a light industrial/heavy commercial project, Liberty North has since been transformed into a mixed-use endeavor, with 35 upscale rentals either finished or in the design stage.

Comprised of two buildings at the former Armstrong World Industries site in Lancaster city, Liberty North also features almost 25,000 square feet of commercial space as well.

One of those buildings — a 52,000-square-foot, two-story edifice at 1060 N. Charlotte St. — includes the luxury apartments.

Read more: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/550877_Upscale-apartments-appeal-to–rightsizers-.html#ixzz1gqoRyyAw

Lancaster Mixed-Use Project Wrapping Up Phase One

Liberty North, a high-end, mixed-use project at 1060 North Charlotte Street in Lancaster is almost ready to have its first tenants move in.  The second-floor renovations are complete and 20 of 21 loft apartments are rented!  First-floor work starts this fall and will add more apartments and commercial space.

Apartments rent for $900 – $1800 a month and there are no shortage of takers; if the success rate on the second-floor is any indicator for the rest of the project.

Here is as link to the site for the project with all the information you could want and pictures: http://drogariscompanies.com/libertynorth

Lancaster City Adaptive Reuse Project Will Turn Former Factory Building Into Apartments

A factory building on North Mulberry Street in Lancaster will hopefully be turned into 27 apartments.  The building, most recently the home of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lancaster, was purchased by a holding company owned by Sam Beiler (the former owner of Auntie Anne’s Pretzels) in January for $275,000.

Plans for a total renovation of the structure include a roof-top garden and patio. This is dependent on a structural analysis to determine if the roof could support the added weight.

The project has been approved by City Council and the Lancaster Historical Commission.

Ironing out parking, performing a structural analysis and a cost-benefit analysis are the next steps.  The building has been significantly damaged by a leaking roof.  The structural analysis results will determine if the project can move forward.

The studio and one-bedroom apartments (600 – 800 square feet) will be marketed towards young professionals looking to live near downtown Lancaster, Lancaster General Hospital or Franklin & Marshall College.

Former Bank In Wilkes-Barre Given New Life

Image via Wikipedia

A former bank building on the fringe of downtown Wilkes-Barre is being transformed into a mixed-use residential/commercial property.

The former South Side Bank has been renovated and will feature 16 new apartments on the upper floors.  The apartments will be renting this summer.  The owner, Sam Johnson, is turning the first floor into a bar/restaurant/lounge.  The restaurant will be mid-priced and feature an All-American menu.

Johnson spent $2.2 million on this adaptive reuse project that began in 2009.  The apartments will feature hardwood floors, stainless appliances, central air, granite counter tops and other high-end features.  The apartments will be between 800 – 1000 square feet.

The building is at the corner of South Main and Ross Streets.  The restaurant and bar will be called South Side WB.

The South Side WB Facebook page with exterior picture: http://www.facebook.com/pages/South-Side-WB/180953501189#!/pages/South-Side-WB/180953501189?v=wall