Last Tuesday at the City Planning Commission meeting, Walnut Capital unveiled its plans for Bakery Square Refresh 2020, an expansion of the bustling business, residence and retail development in Pittsburgh’s East End.
The presentation comes as contractors put the finishing touches on Bakery Office Three, a third office building in the complex, scheduled to open in 2020.
Below, we break down the proposal and the future of this evolving development.
What’s new?
Speaking with NEXTpittsburgh, Walnut Capital CEO Gregg Perelman explains that when Office Three opens next year, the site will have about 15,000 new workers traversing the square each day (Philips Sleep and Respiratory Care has already signed on as a tenant).
As that project took shape, Perelman and his team realized more people would mean more demand for on-site retail and service options, and the idea for Bakery Square Refresh 2020 was born.
The project includes a two-story, 12,400-square-foot retail structure to replace the building currently hosting Coffee Tree Roasters and the Millie’s Homemade Ice Cream pop-up shop.
Additionally, developers plan to add a glass-enclosed public plaza to the side of Bakery Office One, the old Nabisco factory itself, which will be open throughout the year. The project will also extend and refurbish the bike lanes connecting the square to the wider neighborhood.
“We feel like it’s important we connect the communities in many different ways,” says Perelman.
What now?
The Walnut Capital team will return to the City Planning Commission next week to hear their verdict. If all the necessary city approvals come through, Perelman hopes to begin construction by next February, with an eye toward opening before the end of 2020.
Strada Architecture provided the design for the project, and PJ Dick will serve as the contractor.
What’s next?
There is more to come. Just a few weeks ago, Walnut Capital purchased the Matthews International building located at 6515 Penn Avenue, just across from Bakery Square.
Perelman says his team is already in the early phases of leasing the 60,000-square-foot building, which will become the fourth office building in Bakery Square.
Stay tuned for further updates.
