Work began last month at the Quality Inn site along the Boulevard of the Allies, which Pitt has owned since 1963.
The University of Pittsburgh has partnered with Radnor Property Group for the redevelopment of 3401 Boulevard of the Allies. According to a University spokesman, “The project aligns with Pitt’s dedication to transforming a key gateway site in Oakland into a community asset.”
The hotel shut down in 2020, while the Panera Bread on the ground floor recently closed.
The building is being vacated in accordance with the redevelopment plans, the spokesman said. “As work progresses, scaffolding has been installed around the structure to support ongoing site activities and ensure appropriate safety measures during this phase of the project.”
The Board of Trustees agreed last year to lease the property to Radnor Property Group, which has offices in Pennsylvania, North Carolina and New Hampshire.
Radnor was selected after a national search process. The company plans to develop the site into a 240- to 260-unit apartment building with a 15,000- to 30,000-square-foot grocery store on the first floor.
The University said in 2021 it wanted to build non-student housing at the site for faculty, staff and community members.
It was supposed to be the first project of Walnut Capital’s ambitious Oakland Crossings development, which the company announced it was pausing in January 2023 because of high interest rates and construction costs, and labor shortages. At that time, Pitt began to look for new developers.
The deal with Radnor will not cost the University anything and will eventually provide income from a percentage of the rent on the apartments and grocery store.
— Susan Jones
Have a story idea or news to share? Share it with the University Times.
Follow the University Times on Facebook.