A peek into EVEN Hotel and Terminal 21
lobby and in the guest rooms, each of which has yoga mats, Pilates balls and other fitness equipment.
“We have created a unique space Downtown with a nod to the original Kaufmann’s,” he said. “It’s a wonderful building with a storied history, and it’s exciting for us to be part of that story.”
Another first-time participant, the Pittsburgh Jewelry District in the Clark Building, will have information stations to teach visitors how diamonds and other gemstones get from the mine to the showcase. The district’s 15 businesses include manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, custom designers, and repair and repurposing specialists.
“We cover the full ecosystem” of the gem business, said Girish Jain, owner of Universal Diamonds .“Many of the owners have been here for generations. I am secondgeneration. And we all work together. We’re like a big family.”
Terminal 21, once called the Try Street Terminal, started as a shipping and manufacturing warehouse. It now features 205 loft apartments, about half of which are occupied. Terminal 21 opened in February and had moved in 70 tenants when the pandemic hit, said property managerClarence Mendiola.
The apartments range in size from studios to two-bedroom units and are designed to accentuate the building’s industrial origins, with concrete floors and exposed piping and ductwork. Rents start at $1,104 for a studio and top out at $2,400 for a two-bedroom apartment.
“Visitors will be able to see amenity spaces,” Mr. Mendiola said. “We have a speakeasy lounge with a hip vibe, and there is a duckpin bowling alley and an arcade with pingpong and pool tables.
Ms. Baxter approached the owners of Terminal 21 about being on the Doors Open tour.
“She was outspoken about how being on the tour can expose our building to people, so we are excited to be part of it,” Mr. Mendiola said.
Ms. Baxter founded Doors Open Pittsburgh in 2016 with 32 Downtown stops. She expanded to the North Side and the Strip District in subsequent years and had planned to include 25 buildings in Oakland this year. The pandemic nixed that plan.
Doors Open also holds specialty tours. Two held before the pandemic hit featured Black churches and sites on the Underground Railroad. A walking tour in early August showed off two antique skyscrapers, the Koppers and Oliver buildings.
Ms. Baxter said her volunteer guides and participants are eager to resume in-person tours.
“I did a survey to see if people would come out for the annual event, and 85% said they want to come back,” she said. “People are anxious to get out and experience things. I’m grateful to the people [representing buildings] who said yes.”