Sheetz is expanding again in the Pittsburgh region, but this one has nothing to do with its colorful convenience stores and made-to-order sandwiches.
The Altoona-based chain is planning to open a tech office at Bakery Square, one that will house members of its information technology, data and innovation departments.
Sheetz has reached a deal with Walnut Capital to occupy 20,000 square feet of space in Bakery Office Four, a two-story office building that the Shadyside developer bought from Matthews International two years ago.
The new tech space, which also will house corporate employees, is an outgrowth of the innovation and technology hub that Sheetz now has in Bakery Square Two. It is located in Spaces, the Bakery Square co-working venue.
Emily Sheetz, the chain’s vice president for strategy and IT, said in a statement the new space will give Sheetz “an incredible opportunity” to access premier talent and networks in Pittsburgh.
“Pittsburgh has truly become a destination for companies that are looking to innovate and create new and unique business ideas,” she said. “That is why we decided to not only locate our first-ever innovation hub here, but to also identify new growth opportunities such as this new office space in this city.”
Sheetz expects to move into its new space next August. It will be taking the entire second floor of the former Matthews building.
Todd Reidbord, Walnut Capital president, said Sheetz is hoping to use the space to retain talent and to attract new employees. He added that Sheetz is constantly looking at ways to innovate and to chart its future.
“This is the kind of company that we felt was a huge asset to Bakery Square and all of the other companies that are there,” he said.
Sheetz will be the first tenant in Bakery Square Four, a 60,467-square-foot building that Walnut Capital purchased for about $12 million in 2019.
The developer already has started renovating the space, adding restrooms, upgrading HVAC systems, and making the building more accessible.
As part of its announcement regarding the new office space, Sheetz is donating $5,000 to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. Walnut Capital will match the amount.
Walnut Capital started the development of Bakery Square in 2009 out of the remnants of the former Nabisco plant. It now is home to four office buildings, including the former Matthews property, 350 apartments, 52 for-sale townhomes, a hotel, retail, and two parking garages.
Google’s Pittsburgh office is located at Bakery Square. Other companies housed there include Philips Sleep and Respiratory Care Group, UPMC Enterprises, the University of Pittsburgh School of Rehabilitation Sciences, and Carnegie Mellon University’s Software Engineering Institute.
The Sheetz announcement comes as Walnut Capital and Larimer stakeholders plan to gather Wednesday to celebrate the start of an initiative to build 10 for-sale homes in the neighborhood.
All of the homes will be sold to households at or below 80% of the area median income. The $1 million project is funded through Bakery Square’s inclusion in the East Liberty Transit Revitalization Investment District, or TRID. Phase one will start with the construction of two houses on Mayflower Street.
Also to be financed through the TRID is $1 million in workforce development initiatives advanced by the Larimer Consensus Group, with technical help from the city’s Urban Redevelopment Authority.
In addition, the URA board is expected to vote Thursday on whether to authorize applying for a federal grant of up to $3 million to help fund the construction of a proposed pedestrian bridge between Bakery Square and Larimer. The span, estimated to cost $10 million, would be built over railroad tracks and the Port Authority busway and connect to one of the Bakery Square parking garages.
Mark Belko: mbelko@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1262.
First Published: October 12, 2021, 8:25 p.m.