PHLF Opposes Plan to Demolish Cluster of Historic Buildings Downtown
The former Froggy's tavern on Market Street is part of a collection of buildings proposed for demolition.
From the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation: Our organization continues to strongly oppose the plan by Troiani Properties to demolish a cluster of historic buildings in the Market Street and First Avenue area of Downtown, which is part of the city’s Firstside Historic District, listed in the National Register Historic of Historic Places.
We are opposed to the demolition of these buildings because we do not believe that Troiani Properties needs to demolish them to achieve its objective of erecting a “signature” office, retail, and residential tower. We believe Troiani Properties can achieve its new office tower by incorporating—in whole or in part—the historic buildings which significantly enhance the architectural aesthetic in this part of Downtown.
Appearing before the City of Pittsburgh Planning Commission yesterday [June 16, 2020], representatives of Troiani Properties, presented their plan for construction of a new 30-story office and residential tower, which according to them, would necessitate the demolition of four historic buildings including the famous former Froggy’s tavern, located at 100-102 Market Street, and buildings located at 104, and 106-108 Market Street, and 209 First Avenue.
Last year, our organization hired IKM, one of the leading architectural firms in Pittsburgh, to do an initial comprehensive design analysis of the buildings in the Market Street and First Avenue area, accounting for what the developer told us are his needs, and to consider design strategies and options for development.
The images shown here are design concepts by IKM, showing different options for development, which were presented to Troiani Properties as examples of how to save these old buildings and accomplish construction of a new building.
IKM’s finding was that these buildings can be incorporated into the development of a new building in a variety of ways. We have shared these findings with Troiani Properties and their architects, and have consistently tried to engage with Troiani Properties on the idea of how to save and re-use these buildings.
Because of our record of more than 50 years in restoring old and historic buildings, we are aware of the financial burden entailed in a complicated and dynamic restoration effort of this nature. But we also have the experience of understanding the cost of new development and we are not convinced in this case that demolition and new construction, is more cost effective than incorporation of these buildings into the overall design. We also have not seen any market study supporting the financial feasibility of a new office and residential tower in this part of Downtown.
We are heartened by the reluctance of the City of Pittsburgh Planning Commission to approve demolition of these buildings. We continue to call upon Troiani Properties to meaningfully engage with us and other stakeholders in considering all the possibilities that could support a new development without destroying these significant buildings and the scale of the historic Market Street.