The historic lobby of the recently renovated 108-year-old building includes restaurant-ready kitchen and dining space
Following the much-anticipated restoration of the historic Wilkinsburg Train Station, community members have flocked to various public events held at the building over the past year for a chance to see its unique architectural details and share ideas for the future of the space. Now, the Wilkinsburg Community Development Corporation (WCDC) hopes to capitalize on this public interest to entice a local or regional restaurant group to open the area’s latest dining spot in this one-of-a-kind building.
“While planning the Train Station’s restoration, we quickly identified the main level as a perfect space for a restaurant looking to benefit from the unique ambiance offered by the 100+ year-old, Beaux Arts-style building and its close proximity to neighboring East End neighborhoods such as East Liberty, Point Breeze, Squirrel Hill, Regent Square, and others as well as the eastern suburbs,” said Tracey Evans, WCDC Executive Director. “After consulting with a few local chefs, restaurant group owners, and architects, we created a customizable kitchen and dining space in the building.”
“We’ve seen it with popular places like Scratch in Troy Hill, Alla Familia in Allentown, or The Woods House in Hazelwood. Pittsburghers want more than just delicious food and carefully crafted cocktails, they want to enjoy a restaurant that offers an entire experience,” added Anthony Dolan, Alphabet City Realty Group, leasing consultant for the project. “The Train Station does that and more. We look forward to taking restaurant groups through the building that share the excitement and vision for this incredible and historic building.”
The WCDC hopes to partner with an established restaurateur who appreciates the impact that this project will have on the revitalization of the Wilkinsburg community. The Train Station is one of multiple historic preservation projects led by the WCDC and other local investors. In 2020, the WCDC celebrated the completion of the Lohr Building, located on the corner of Wood Street and South Avenue in the heart of Wilkinsburg’s business district, and earlier this year, announced that Citizens Bank gifted their historic Wilkinsburg Bank Building, also located on Wood Street, to the WCDC for redevelopment.
The Wilkinsburg Train Station has gained public interest since its redevelopment was first announced in 2016. The Train Station was the focal point of WQED’s Emmy award winning documentary, Wilkinsburg Train Station: Back on Track, as well as numerous local, state-wide, and national news articles. In 2022, the project was awarded the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office’s 2021 Community Initiative Award and Preservation Pennsylvania’s 2022 Construction Project Award.
The Wilkinsburg Train Station restoration was made possible thanks to the generous support of nearly 200 project supporters and partners, including PA Department of Community & Economic Development, Commonwealth of PA, Allegheny County Economic Development, and numerous foundation, corporate, and individual donors.
Those interested in learning more about the Wilkinsburg Train Station or touring the building can complete this form.
Media Inquiries:
Marissa Luznar
412-327-8441