http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06147/693168-30.stm
Over the store: Shadyside condos linked to Giant Eagle
Saturday, May 27, 2006
By Gretchen McKay, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The living area in the Negley model was decorated by Perlora and includes an abstract painting by local artist Allison Hoge.
For centuries, shopkeepers and others have lived above retail shops. A new development in Shadyside embraces this centuries-old concept and takes it to another level, allowing residents to shop for groceries and run errands without ever stepping outside.
Market House, a 54-unit condominium building, begins where the newly expanded Giant Eagle at the corner of Centre and South Negley avenues ends -- a whole five floors above it, in fact.
As with most high-end condos, Market House offers many other amenities. Every unit has high ceilings, at least one balcony, large walk-in closets, sleek maple cabinetry and stainless-steel KitchenAid appliances. Ten floor plans keep it all from feeling too cookie-cutter, and buyers can upgrade to hardwood floor, granite counter tops and a gas fireplace.
But Market House's biggest perk is the most obvious -- full access to a 70,000-square-foot gourmet supermarket, and a dry cleaner, pharmacy, bank and photo lab. And residents may not have to even ride the elevator; details are also being worked out for door-to-door delivery from the grocery's prepared food section.
"It's really about a lifestyle," says Bill Krahe, managing partner for ECHO Real Estate Services Co., a development firm owned by the principals of Giant Eagle. "Just about every facet of your life can be managed there."
Prices for the one- and two-bedroom condos originally started in the $160,000s. But those bargain residences almost immediately sold out, says new housing manager Tom King of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services. The six first-floor units with private terraces on the "green" roof of Giant Eagle have also sold.
Jim Bonner's master bedroom in his top floor condo looks westward over Shadyside and Oakland.
Prices now begin at about $275,900 for 1,300-square-foot, two-bedroom/two-bath units and run as high as $410,900 for a two-bedroom unit with 1,826 square feet of living space, including a separate den/study area. It all depends on location and view.
Though the combination of grocery and residential space is new to Pittsburgh, it's already succeeded in other parts of the country. In New York, a Whole Foods Market graces the bottom floor of the Time Warner Center and the organic powerhouse also anchors a large condo-and-hotel complex known as 2200 Westlake in Seattle.
Grocery store construction is already a complex process. Integrating housing -- and accounting for factors such as traffic flow and security -- only makes it more difficult, said Mr. Krahe. Of course, $2 million in tax increment financing from the city made the process a little easier.
Construction on the glass-and-brick building, designed by TKA Architects, started last August. To date, nearly half of the units have sold, most without the benefit of a furnished model, Mr. King said.
The condominium's close proximity to Shadyside's business district is undoubtedly part of the appeal; it's also within walking distance of the busway, making it an easy commute to Downtown.
Accessibility is what drew 22-year-old Jim Bonner, a finance manager for Howard Hanna, and convinced him to pony up $310,000 for a two-bedroom/two-bath penthouse on the fifth floor.
"You can walk to Walnut Street," he says.
Mr. Bonner also appreciated the sprawling view from his bedroom window, which includes both Shadyside Hospital and in the distance, Pitt's Cathedral of Learning.
"You feel like you're right in the city," he says.
Location, though, is only part of the equation. Mr. Krahe also credits the building's clean, contemporary design. William Kolano of Kolano Designs in East Liberty is responsible for all of the interior public spaces, including the vibrant two-story lobby and the reverse coloring in the halls. The recently completed model unit was decorated by Julie Docherty and Janelle Spillman of Perlora.
"It's sophisticated, but not trendy," Mr. Krahe says. "We think it will withstand the test of time and appeal to a broad range of buyers."
The elegantly appointed Negley model, which measures 1,620 square feet and includes two balconies overlooking hundreds of Shadyside rooftops, would certainly appeal to both the young and old urban buyer. Clean and simple, it features "Navaho white" walls and bright-white trim, artful furniture with a modern edge and commercial-grade Centiva vinyl flooring that mimics stained concrete. It sells for $337,900.
"We wanted to play off the space, which has a nice openness and natural sources of light," says Ms. Docherty.
A cream-colored linen sofa from Cachet in the living area is topped by a vibrant, three-paneled abstract painting by Allison Hoge of ASH Galleries in Lawrenceville, one of several local artists whose work is on the walls.
A few feet away in the dining area, a multicolored rug made from Flor carpet tiles accents an Italian modern dining table. The adjoining den has bright red walls and a view of the bus line.
The galley kitchen is just as sleek: light cherry cabinetry with brushed nickel hardware complements the stainless-steel appliances and black granite counter tops. A taupe-colored mosaic backsplash repeats the square motif that runs throughout the house. A large breakfast bar has room for four benches and is lighted by two glass halogen fixtures; it also holds the double sink. A closet across from the professional-style range hides a Bosch stackable washer and dryer.
The kitchen in the Market House's Negley two-bedroom model has maple cabinets and a granite counter top.
The minimalist master bedroom has an oyster-colored Metropolitan bed from American Leather beneath floating black shelves. The adjoining bath has dark faux bamboo Centiva floors and a walk-in shower with a mocha-colored raw silk curtain. There's also a bathtub, a large walk-in closet and a separate alcove for the toilet.
Pet-friendly and maintenance-free, Market House also includes a fitness room with exercise equipment, free weights and a Body Master machine. A private party room across the hall has a family room with a big-screen TV, full kitchen and bath and a library area with tables for playing cards or holding meetings. An adjoining guest room with a private bath (currently the sales office) will eventually be available to residents for a fee for weekend guests. Each unit also comes with a 6- by 9-foot storage locker in the basement.
Condo fees range from $188 to $410 a month, depending on square footage, and the one-time parking fee will set you back $14,500 for an indoor secure space, $7,500 for an outdoor covered space or $4,000 for an outdoor uncovered space.
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(Gretchen McKay can be reached at
gmckay@post-gazette.com or 412-761-4670. )
More information
The model unit at Market House, 5570 Centre Ave, Shadyside, is open from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays and noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Information: Jason Kaney at 412-683-1980 or
www.howardhanna.com, under "New Construction."
There are a lot of people who use public trans here -- so I hope people showed up given the short notice. I didn't even know about this! 
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