That would be my guess. For whatever reason, though, metro Pittsburgh has steadily lost population while metro STL has steadily gained population overall. I think.
https://www.wpxi.com/news/local/governo ... I5VMS6PE4/A new, historic plan aims to revitalize Downtown Pittsburgh.
Governor Josh Shapiro’s administration announced Friday that elected officials, corporate leaders, private developers, organized labor, nonprofits and artists from Pittsburgh came together for this collective effort to improve Downtown.
Projects are already in the works that have equaled about $600 million, all of which are part of the initial phase of the plan and are expected to wrap in 2028.
Downtown Pittsburgh is in a far better shape than downtown STL. It's a safe assumption they'll have an easier time redeveloping it than we've had with AT&T.Chris Stritzel wrote:I was reliably informed that only St. Louis’s downtown has a vacancy problem and therefore the worst city in the United States.
As for demolition of that building, lol. It’s probably easier to redevelop than the AT&T Building in STL. Floor plates look a little bit smaller and it’s right on a transit line. Like AT&T, the smart approach would be to phase the redevelopment. Start by saving some office space, but introduce residential, hotel, and lab space. If office doesn’t do well, slowly convert to residential abs more lab space. It might take a decade, but the long term benefits outweigh the demo and be done option.
Granted I don’t know the state of Pittsburgh in general other than their baseball team being dragged on twitter as being trash.
Then the news opinion about demoing that building in Pittsburgh is really stupid. Hopefully people over there see it as such.StlAlex wrote: ↑5:44 AM - 16 days agoDowntown Pittsburgh is in a far better shape than downtown STL. It's a safe assumption they'll have an easier time redeveloping it than we've had with AT&T.Chris Stritzel wrote:I was reliably informed that only St. Louis’s downtown has a vacancy problem and therefore the worst city in the United States.
As for demolition of that building, lol. It’s probably easier to redevelop than the AT&T Building in STL. Floor plates look a little bit smaller and it’s right on a transit line. Like AT&T, the smart approach would be to phase the redevelopment. Start by saving some office space, but introduce residential, hotel, and lab space. If office doesn’t do well, slowly convert to residential abs more lab space. It might take a decade, but the long term benefits outweigh the demo and be done option.
Granted I don’t know the state of Pittsburgh in general other than their baseball team being dragged on twitter as being trash.
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I mean it's one of ten "thoughts" from the opinion editor on a failing newspaper. One of his other thoughts was that downtown Pittsburgh is basically dead and not coming back, even though it currently supports a Target, Burlington, and Brooks Brothers. If DT PIT is dead, then DT STL truly has no hope at all and we may as well give up. It's not like an actual view of anyone who's opinion matters.Chris Stritzel wrote:Then the news opinion about demoing that building in Pittsburgh is really stupid. Hopefully people over there see it as such.StlAlex wrote: ↑5:44 AM - 16 days agoDowntown Pittsburgh is in a far better shape than downtown STL. It's a safe assumption they'll have an easier time redeveloping it than we've had with AT&T.Chris Stritzel wrote:I was reliably informed that only St. Louis’s downtown has a vacancy problem and therefore the worst city in the United States.
As for demolition of that building, lol. It’s probably easier to redevelop than the AT&T Building in STL. Floor plates look a little bit smaller and it’s right on a transit line. Like AT&T, the smart approach would be to phase the redevelopment. Start by saving some office space, but introduce residential, hotel, and lab space. If office doesn’t do well, slowly convert to residential abs more lab space. It might take a decade, but the long term benefits outweigh the demo and be done option.
Granted I don’t know the state of Pittsburgh in general other than their baseball team being dragged on twitter as being trash.
Sent from my SM-S936U using Tapatalk
Actually its not "far" better. The crime and homeless "perceptions" and reality are similar. Vacancy rates are going up... especially after this tower empties out.StlAlex wrote: ↑5:44 AM - 16 days agoDowntown Pittsburgh is in a far better shape than downtown STL. It's a safe assumption they'll have an easier time redeveloping it than we've had with AT&T.Chris Stritzel wrote:I was reliably informed that only St. Louis’s downtown has a vacancy problem and therefore the worst city in the United States.
As for demolition of that building, lol. It’s probably easier to redevelop than the AT&T Building in STL. Floor plates look a little bit smaller and it’s right on a transit line. Like AT&T, the smart approach would be to phase the redevelopment. Start by saving some office space, but introduce residential, hotel, and lab space. If office doesn’t do well, slowly convert to residential abs more lab space. It might take a decade, but the long term benefits outweigh the demo and be done option.
Granted I don’t know the state of Pittsburgh in general other than their baseball team being dragged on twitter as being trash.
Sent from my SM-S936U using Tapatalk
It would have been the first full grocery downtown.Well there's what AI says and what reality says. It would take downtown STL to get some 1.3 million square feet of new leases to catch up to where downtown Pittsburgh is at 19-20% vacant. Downtown STL is more than 30% vacant right now.matguy70 wrote:Actually its not "far" better. The crime and homeless "perceptions" and reality are similar. Vacancy rates are going up... especially after this tower empties out.StlAlex wrote: ↑5:44 AM - 16 days agoDowntown Pittsburgh is in a far better shape than downtown STL. It's a safe assumption they'll have an easier time redeveloping it than we've had with AT&T.Chris Stritzel wrote:I was reliably informed that only St. Louis’s downtown has a vacancy problem and therefore the worst city in the United States.
As for demolition of that building, lol. It’s probably easier to redevelop than the AT&T Building in STL. Floor plates look a little bit smaller and it’s right on a transit line. Like AT&T, the smart approach would be to phase the redevelopment. Start by saving some office space, but introduce residential, hotel, and lab space. If office doesn’t do well, slowly convert to residential abs more lab space. It might take a decade, but the long term benefits outweigh the demo and be done option.
Granted I don’t know the state of Pittsburgh in general other than their baseball team being dragged on twitter as being trash.
Sent from my SM-S936U using Tapatalk
Their downtown has no full frocery store and the plansto open a new grocery store this year (news of it last year) just announced this past week it is not opening now.
Downtown Pittsburgh is undergoing a difficult, multi-year transition driven by high office vacancies (2025 approx. 18.8% and rising), reduced foot traffic, and the shift to hybrid work. While public-private partnerships aim to convert empty offices into residential units and enhance public spaces, local businesses face immediate challenges from construction, crime concerns, and fewer downtown workers.Key Challenges & Current Status (May 2026)Dñ Declining Workforce & Vacancy: Downtown office workers have decreased by 17% over two decades. Commercial office vacancies reached 18.8% in 2025, up from ~10% in 2020, as companies right-size, leaving behind empty spaces.
Business Disruptions: Despite hosting the 2026 NFL Draft, many downtown restaurants reported poor business, describing the area as a "ghost town" compared to pre-pandemic times. Ongoing renovations and construction for, and since, the Draft caused major dips in sales for businesses in spots like Market Square.Safety and Maintenance: Concerns remain regarding increased homelessness, substance abuse, and damaged infrastructure, with residents and business owners describing the area as run-down.Lack of Amenities: Critics note a lack of everyday services like grocery stores and urgent care centers, making it less appealing for residential living
Retail and Rental Costs: High rental rates and limited parking have caused local businesses to struggle.
