Developer revises plans for new building at Wholey's warehouse in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Planning Commission members aren’t saying what they think of a revised design at the site of a former cold storage warehouse in Pittsburgh’s Strip District.

New York-based JMC Holdings paid $8.1 million for the former Wholey’s cold storage warehouse at 1501 Penn Ave. in 2018. The windowless building was best known for its neon sign in the shape of a fish, with “Wholey” displayed in the middle.

Last year, JMC said it would tear down the former Wholey’s building and build a new structure, because it was not feasible to repurpose the warehouse. In February, it unveiled a design for a $245 million 21-story office tower that was panned by Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto and rejected by members of the city’s Planning Commission.

The mayor has said the company would have to come up with a design more in line with the Strip’s historic architecture if it intends to seek subsidies or variances from Pittsburgh.

“We have a policy of not commenting on any item that is under review and consideration by the commission,” Chairwoman Christine Mondor said.

JMC officials didn’t return messages seeking comment.

The revised plans are posted as part of the agenda for Tuesday’s planning commission meeting.

While the company opted to keep with what it calls a “more industrial design” that Peduto has called “brutalist,” it has revised the plans to “break down the mass and scale” of the building.

Instead of one 21-story building, there will be four towers and the public space along Smallman Street will be improved, according to the revised 51-page proposal JMC presented to the planning commission.

JMC has yet to decide what to do with the popular “Smilin’ Fish” sign on the side of building, it said in February.

Most of the building would be used for office space, but there will also be retail and storefront space, along with the public space along Smallman Street.