In its 114-year history, the Commonwealth Building in Downtown has been the home of the Pittsburgh Stock Exchange and Commonwealth Trust Bank. Now it’s home to apartments. Residents who begin moving in next week can count on sleek white spaces, high ceilings, lots of windows and three bank vaults put to new use.
The Commonwealth Building apartments at 318 Fourth Ave. include 140 units whose monthly rents range from $1,155 to $2,410.
The building was designed by architect Frederick J. Osterling, a Duquesne native who also designed Allegheny High School on the North Side, the Washington County Courthouse, the Westinghouse Castle in Wilmerding and other prominent local buildings.
The building sat vacant for 20 years until 2019, when it was purchased by Commonwealth Development Partners. Fourth Avenue was briefly closed to vehicular traffic in 2020 while renovations continued. Downtown-based Perfido Weiskopf Wagstaff + Goettel Architects handled the design. Greystar manages the rentals.
The Commonwealth Building features 8- by 4-foot windows with views of Downtown and the Monongahela River. The windows can be opened, but only about 6 inches for safety reasons, a Greystar executive said.
White abounds in the light, airy apartments, with white walls, white marble in the bathrooms, and white cabinets and countertops in many of the kitchens. They’re light even at night, with lighting over and under the kitchen cabinets.
Stackable GE washers and dryers are in each apartment, and many of the cabinets are designed so they can be used as closets.
Other amenities include a fourth-floor terrace that includes seating, grills and a fire pit, a fitness center, and a two-level community lounge with a kitchenette and game room.
Original marble floors and trim in the lobby have been saved and incorporated into the new design. Space on the street level has been set aside for a retail tenant.
The building was largely gutted, but three massive bank vaults with round, heavy, shiny doors were preserved. One has been earmarked for bike storage for tenants.
Though the building’s elevator runs to the 21st floor, the building has only 20 floors. There is no 13th floor. Apparently even bankers are superstitious.
The studio and one- and two-bedroom apartments range in size from 434 to 961 square feet. Studios with one bath are 434-553 square feet and rent for $1,155-$1,445.
One-bedroom, one-bath units measure 580-804 square feet and rent for $1,485-$1,750. One-bedroom, one-bath apartments with a den have 833-961 square feet and rents of $1,750-$1,775.
Two-bedroom, two-bath apartments range in size from 837 to 937 square feet and rent for $2,115-$2,410.
Pets are welcome for a $30 monthly fee. There’s a dog wash station, and Greystar plans to build a small, fenced dog park behind the building.
Greystar is offering up to one month free rent for new tenants. Call 724-801-9426 or go to thecommonwealthbldg.com for more information or to arrange a tour.
Linda Wilson Fuoco: lfuoco@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1953.
First Published: June 10, 2021, 9:03 a.m.
Updated: June 10, 2021, 2:59 p.m.
