Popular steakhouse to expand Downtown
Ruth’s Chris Steak House Downtown is expanding.
The upscale restaurant at 6 PPG Place is seeking to add 2,700 square feet to its existing 5,500square-foot footprint at its spot between Third Avenue and the Boulevard of the Allies.
Restaurant officials will brief the city planning commission on the proposal Tuesday.
It would mark the second expansion for Ruth’s Chris, which added a 40-seat banquet room and increased the size of the bar in 2000, according to owner Scott Offenbach.
The latest expansion is expected to cost $1.5 million to $1.7 million. As part of the work, the restaurant will open an outdoor seating area facing PPG Place Plaza.
Ruth’s Chris is embarking on the project after signing a longterm lease extension with PPG owner Highwoods Properties.
The signing ensured that the restaurant would stay at the location that has been its home since it first opened in 1987. The steak house has been a top spot for business lunches and dinners, celebrations and other occasions over the last three decades.
Before deciding to stay at PPG Place, Ruth’s Chris had considered other potential spots Downtown, including One Oxford Centre and U.S. Steel Tower.
Also Tuesday, the commission will be briefed on a $18 million residential development at 5515 Butler Street proposed by Toronto-based Craft Development Corp. The development, dubbed Mews on Butler, will involve the construction of 68 three-story residential units on 2.8 acres of property owned by Ace Auto Wrecking Ltd., according to planning commission documents. Mark Belko: mbelko@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1262.