New owners eye housing at Smithfield building

The big picture: The purchase comes as momentum builds behind efforts to remake Smithfield Street into a more pedestrian-friendly corridor, alongside a $600 million state plan to bring new life to Downtown through residential conversions.

• Pittsburgh-based McKnight Realty previously owned the 85,000-square-foot building. Financial details were not disclosed.

Zoom in: The new owners are exploring plans to convert the building's upper floors into residential units and, potentially, a rooftop hospitality venue overlooking Mellon Square — as part of a larger mixed-use redevelopment strategy, developers said in a news release.

• Brooks Brothers and the Downtown branch of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh are among the building's existing lower-level tenants. Legacy said its redevelopment plans will preserve its tenant base.

What they're saying: "The future of Downtown belongs to those willing to adapt," Pollock said. "We're excited to study how 610 Smithfield can become part of that future — not just as a historic building, but as a catalyst for bringing more life, more residents, and more momentum back to the center of the city."

The bottom line: Pollock said the firm's strategy aligns with the city and the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership's plans to make Smithfield Street a more residential, walkable destination.