Saturday, February 22, 2025, 11:34PM |  35°
MENU
Advertisement
In this June 3, 2019, file photo a shopping cart sits in the parking lot of a Target store in Marlborough, Mass. Target has been eyeing the former Kaufmann’s/Macy’s building Downtown for a possible store, according to sources.
1
MORE

A possible bullseye? Target may be eyeing iconic Downtown site

Bill Sikes/Associated Press

A possible bullseye? Target may be eyeing iconic Downtown site

For generations of shoppers, the former Kaufmann’s/Macy’s department store was the go-to place Downtown. Could one of the country’s top retailers be on the verge of bringing back some of that magic?

The Target discount department store chain has been eyeing the iconic Smithfield Street building for a possible store, according to multiple sources.

Michael Samschick, president and CEO of Core Realty, the building’s owner, had no comment.

Advertisement

In a statement, Liz Hancock, a Target spokeswoman, said the retailer is “evaluating opportunities to reach additional guests in Pittsburgh,” but did not say where.

A view of the old Kaufmann's/Macy store at the corner of Smithfield Street and Forbes Avenue, taken Sunday, April 12, 2018.
Mark Belko
Florida firm to take over redevelopment of landmark Kaufmann’s/Macy's building in Downtown

“At Target, we continuously explore possible locations for new stores. We are currently focused on new store growth with our small-format stores, which are smaller than our general merchandise Target stores and are located in dense urban and suburban neighborhoods as well as near college campuses,” she said.

“I can tell you we are evaluating opportunities to reach additional guests in Pittsburgh, but at this time, we’re not at a point where we can share any new store plans.”

Core is in the process of selling the landmark Downtown property, which it acquired for $15 million in 2015, to Florida-based Fontainebleau Development.

Advertisement

Since the sale has yet to be finalized, Core remains the building’s owner and is still pursuing possible retail tenants.

In an interview Wednesday, Mr. Samschick promised some “powerful announcements” regarding retail tenants in the coming weeks but declined to be more specific.

He said he has been in talks with “national players” regarding the building’s 100,000 square feet of retail space, which is largely vacant at this point.

The buzz about Minneapolis-based Target has reached such a crescendo over the last several months that even people getting haircuts Downtown have been hearing that the retailer is coming.

However, its website for stores opening this year, in 2020, and beyond does not list a Pittsburgh location.

Target has seemed to be the retailer of choice in the rumor mill for some time now. It was said to be on the hunt for possible space Downtown, including the Kaufmann’s/Macy’s redevelopment, two years ago.

At one point, McKnight Realty Partners had been trying to interest Target and other retailers in the 19,000-square-foot former Office Depot space in the old Gimbels building on Smithfield but could not land a deal. It is now leasing part of the space to the Port Authority.

A survey of Downtown residents and pedestrians conducted by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership three years ago found a high demand for a discount/mass retail chain, with Target being number one on the list.

In recent years, Target has been moving into smaller format stores, particularly in urban areas and near college campuses.

The mini-Targets typically range from 12,000 to 80,000 square feet. That’s a lot smaller than the 145,000-square-foot East Liberty Target. Inventory at each store is tailored to the location and could include apparel, food, home goods, beauty products, and other items.

John Valentine, executive director of the Pittsburgh Downtown Community Development Corp., said retail Downtown has been taking steps forward with the opening of several new boutiques. But he added that there’s a need for an anchor like Target.

“I do know there’s been talks with Target and if we can get Target to come that would be great. But we don’t know when or if that would happen,” he said.

Although Core has struggled to complete the Kaufmann’s/Macy’s redevelopment, known as Kaufmann’s Grand on Fifth, the work now appears to be moving into the final stages. The 160-room Even Hotel opened recently and residents have started to move into some of the 311 planned apartments. Mr. Samschick said Wednesday only one floor of apartments remains to be finished.

The only retail tenant to open so far is the Waffles, INCaffeinated restaurant on the Fifth Avenue side of the building. When completed, the overall redevelopment is expected to total more than $100 million.

Mark Belko: mbelko@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1262.

Updated at 5:57 p.m. on Oct. 31, 2019

Go to section

First Published: October 31, 2019, 6:13 p.m.

RELATED
SHOW COMMENTS (0)  
Join the Conversation
Commenting policy | How to Report Abuse
If you would like your comment to be considered for a published letter to the editor, please send it to letters@post-gazette.com. Letters must be under 250 words and may be edited for length and clarity.
Partners
Advertisement
Leah Fauth gets a hug after leaving flowers in front of the West York Police Department after a police officer was killed responding to a shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, Pa. on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025.
1
news
Police officer killed, gunman dead in shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York
The University of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning
2
business
Amid funding uncertainty, Pitt pauses doctoral admissions
The Penguins paid tribute to the late Hall of Fame broadcaster Mike Lange before Saturday's game at PPG Paints Arena, holding a seven-minute ceremony, Feb. 22, 2025. The event featured a moment of celebration — not silence — and a tribute video showcasing highlights from Lange's career and commentary from Sidney Crosby and other Penguins legends.
3
sports
Penguins honor the late Mike Lange with touching ceremony prior to Saturday’s game
Pirates outfielder DJ Stewart gets congratulations from teammates after his home run against the Baltimore Orioles in the first game of the Grapefruit League season at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Fla., on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025.
4
sports
Instant analysis: 5 takeaways from Pirates' spring training victory over Orioles
Virginia Beach police on Saturday investigate the deadly shooting of two fellow officers on Friday in Virginia Beach, Va.
5
news
2 police officers killed during traffic stop in Virginia Beach
In this June 3, 2019, file photo a shopping cart sits in the parking lot of a Target store in Marlborough, Mass. Target has been eyeing the former Kaufmann’s/Macy’s building Downtown for a possible store, according to sources.  (Bill Sikes/Associated Press)
Bill Sikes/Associated Press
Advertisement
LATEST business
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story