Planning Commission approves plan to link 2 historic Pittsburgh buildings

Pittsburgh’s Planning Commission on Tuesday approved a plan to link two historic buildings in the city’s Central Business District.

The plan is to connect the structure commonly known as the Skinny Building on Forbes Avenue and the Roberts Building on Wood Street. Both buildings will see restoration work, and a new five-story building will be constructed at 433 Wood Street, where an existing three-story building is set to be demolished.

The ground level of the Skinny Building will likely be used for food and beverage or retail space, according to D.J. Bryant, an architect with Pittsburgh-based AE7.

The narrow structure’s upper floors will be unoccupied. An art installation on the upper levels will be visible through the windows from the street.

The new structure scheduled to replace the building being demolished on Wood Street will house an elevator, restrooms and mechanical space. Plans for the site include a rooftop deck, Bryant said, and the building could potentially be used for flexible office space.

Bryant said no specific tenants have been identified for the development yet.

The Skinny Building and the Roberts Building have never been connected before.

The Skinny Building — which originally housed a vegetable market — was built in 1926. The Roberts Building — which once served as a jewelry retailer and most recently was a 7-Eleven — was built in the 1860s.

The Planning Commission unanimously approved the plans Tuesday. Commissioners Christine Mondor, Jennifer Askey, Fred Brown and Sabina Deitrick were not present for the vote.