This project rehabilitates two historic buildings and adds two new ones at a prominent location in the heart of Pittsburgh’s downtown Cultural District. Following the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s “Nine Guiding Principles,” the ensemble of buildings provides a strong urban presence, emphasizing a new lateral mid-block connection from Katz Plaza to the future development of the 8th street corridor.

The restored McNally Building and the Bonn Building are both turn-of-the-century, masonry buildings, rich with historic character. The addition forms a continuation of the Penn Ave streetscape, infilling the existing parking lot at the corner of Eighth Street & Penn Avenue with a modern play on the rhythm of existing historic buildings. Extending down Eighth Street, an assertive, copper clad structure, the “jewel box,” forms the backdrop for a lively new pedestrian link between Katz plaza and future development on the Eighth Street block. PWWG worked with international artist Erwin Redl of NYC to design an LED light installation that enhances the diagonal passageway that bisects the development.

With a mixture of micros, studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units, residents have access to an array of attractive amenities including a fitness center, club room, and generous roof top garden terrace. The apartments feature tall ceilings and lofted spaces with large windows and city views. In addition to 135 residential units in the heart of downtown, the project provides extensive street level retail and restaurant space to enhance activity in the cultural district.