It’s unclear what the University of Pittsburgh’s plans are for a recently-purchased property in Oakland.
Pitt purchased 251-253 Atwood St. for just under $1.37 million last month, according to Allegheny County real estate records.
University officials wouldn’t disclose plans for the 4,436-square-foot property.
“The university is always looking for opportunities near campus that support our long-term mission and give us flexibility to meet future academic needs and to contribute to the vibrancy of Oakland,” spokesman Jared Stonesifer said. “This purchase helps ensure we can continue to grow in a thoughtful and strategic way.”
The property holds a restaurant, Smile Thai and Sushi. A phone number listed for the business wasn’t in service; a message sent to them wasn’t immediately returned.
The acquisition continues expansion announcements from Pitt as its student body grows.
Last fall’s first-year class was the largest on record, with 65,000 applications. More than 31,200 students attended the Oakland campus last fall. Of those, just under 21,400 were undergraduates.
University officials say they are on track to meet a goal of 22,000 undergraduate students at the Pittsburgh campus by 2028.
On Tuesday, officials approved a 5-year lease agreement with Wellington Apartments, 245 Melwood Ave., which will provide 148 additional beds.
And the university plans a 400-bed dormitory for first-year students on property it owns near Fifth and Ruskin avenues in Oakland.
It’s currently in a “design-build selection process” for a first-year residence hall at a parking lot adjacent to the Music Building and annex.
That building would be ready for occupancy in fall 2028.
The board of trustees is scheduled to vote on those plans in May.
