The Stevenson building, a 24,000-square-foot property located at the corner of S. Highland Ave. and Penn Circle, is fully leased.
In December,
Fifth Third Bank opened a 3,900-square-foot branch in the building, while
Family Resources occupies 14,000 square feet on the property’s top two floors. On March 28, building owner and developer Jim Aiello, Jr. will open a 1,700-square-foot Pizza Sola on the building’s first floor.
Aiello, who purchased the property from Ed Dardanell two years ago, invested $500,000 in building improvements and the new pizzeria. Improvements include the installation of new windows and heating and cooling systems, and maintaining original columns and architectural elements. Pizza Sola features the building’s original terrazzo floors.
Devlin Architecture designed the Fifth Third branch; contractor was
Allegheny Construction Group. Architectural drawings for Pizza Sola were created by J. Sullivan Company and Dick Jaynes. Shop contractor is Whistler Construction.
Aiello attributes part of the project’s success to its central location at the border of East Liberty and Shadyside. “What
Mr. Mosites has done has been a Herculean effort and a first-class job. A lot of smart people are investing their money there,” adds Aiello. “Shadyside and Friendship have always had the lure for people to live. Tying it all into the
busway as an all-encompassing package will solidify its future.”
In July, Aiello will open a third Pizza Sola at 114 Atwood St. in Oakland. The 2,400-square-foot Oakland eatery will be twice the size of Pizza Sola’s South Side location, and will feature seating for 59 people.
Writer:
Jennifer BaronSource: Jim Aiello, Jr.