Squirrel Hill Theater coming down to make room for housing complex
A piece of history crumbled on Forward Avenue on Tuesday, as a bulldozer and other equipment began the demolition of the Squirrel Hill Theater.
The movie theater, part of the neighborhood for 74 years, closed in 2010.
The demolition will give way to a housing complex and office space called Flats on Forward. It will include 10,000 square feet of office space on the first floor, with 43 apartments of affordable housing on the two upper floors. The development is the work of ACTION-Housing, which purchased the property four years ago.
The project will complement nearby Krause Commons, a 33-unit apartment building that includes space for individuals with intellectual and/or mental health disabilities. Krause Commons is also a ACTION-Housing project.
“It’s an opportunity to bring new people to the neighborhood to enjoy the amenities that make Squirrel Hill the wonderful neighborhood that it is,” said Lena Andrews, director of real estate development for ACTION-Housing, a nonprofit developer established in Pittsburgh in 1957.
Rick Stern, former owner of the Squirrel Hill Theater, said the multiplex cinemas in The Waterfront in Homestead and the former one in SouthSide Works made it more of a challenge for smaller theaters.
Squirrel Hill had six screens. The Manor theater on Murray Avenue, also in Squirrel Hill, which he currently owns, has four. He said the Manor is easily accessible because it’s on the flat part of Murray Avenue versus the hill of Forward Avenue, and has more parking nearby.
The Manor, which reopened at the end of April, will celebrate its 99th anniversary on Saturday.
“The Squirrel Hill Theater was no longer viable,” Stern said. “It was just time to close it when I did. That area then became an eyesore, so I am glad something good is happening there. That spot is the gateway to Squirrel Hill.”
Pittsburgh City Councilman Corey O’Connor grew up in Squirrel Hill. He said he knew the theater well.
“We live in an ever-changing city and the Flats on Forward are part of a rejuvenation of the area,” he said. “This new living space will bring more people to Squirrel Hill and help the businesses there. It’s about changing and adapting.”
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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