Developer reconsiders plan for North Shore apartments

A Columbus, Ohio, developer is re-evaluating plans for a $65 million apartment complex on the North Shore, in part because of concerns about the dramatic increase in the number of units that have been built in or near Downtown over much of the past decade.

Continental Real Estate Companies is considering “all options” for the parcel adjacent to the Hyatt Place Hotel and PNC Park, said Barry Ford, president of development in Pittsburgh.

While Continental is not ruling out housing, other options it will explore include offices, a hotel, entertainment, and restaurants.

“We’re back to looking at everything for that lot, trying to figure out what works best,” Mr. Ford said.

With construction of a sevenstory office building on the Allegheny riverfront set to start in August, Continental now has more time to ponder other uses for the apartment parcel less than a block away.

Under an extension granted by the Pittsburgh Stadium Authority in November, Continental, which was hired by the Steelers and the Pirates in 2002 to develop the land between Heinz Field and PNC Park, has until May 31, 2018, to buy that tract, known as lot 4.

Mr. Ford said the surge in apartment building in recent years is “one of 10 reasons” Continental is re-evaluating its plans for the site, where it planned to build 250 residential units.

“The market has changed the