5438-5440 Penn Ave

This pair of unique commercial properties along the Penn Avenue Arts corridor in the bustling Friendship neighborhood of Pittsburgh are in search of new creative direction after their owners retire. 5440 Penn Ave has undergone a million+ dollar renovation and comprehensive environmental remediation to create an impressive 14,000 sq. ft. design and fabrication studio. Huge open spaces, tall ceilings, banks of windows, and substantial infrastructure upgrades make for enviable and hardworking studio spaces. The industrial-grade first floor is set up as a fabrication shop and features terrazzo and radiant concrete floors, heavy steel I-beams, exposed brickwork, and a 4” thick old growth wood ceiling. The gently sloping floor plan was thoughtfully designed to facilitate movement of heavy equipment and materials throughout the shop areas. Everything is connected and accessible. Drive down the rear private alley, in through the giant garage door, up the cargo loading ramp, through a heated garage, in and around the main shop spaces, then right on through a massive 22’ wide x 11’9” high glass garage door that opens into a double height gallery space facing Penn Ave. The main shop has two accessible bathrooms, a utility closet, and an elevator pit to accommodate a lift in the future. Upstairs, the enormous window lined design studio stands ready to inspire a full creative staff. The crisp, white woodwork ceiling is supported by oversized steel beams for an inspiring wall-free, light-filled volume. The double-layer floating floor is heavily insulated with blue jean batting to reduce noise and vibrations from the machines downstairs. The second floor also has two accessible bathrooms, a utility closet, a large kitchen / break room, and a stylish conference space clad in custom milled flooring and blue glass that overlooks the double height gallery below. Custom steel window grates, robust hardwired alarm / fire alarm systems, and impact-resistant 3M laminated window film provide peace of mind. Each floor has separate utilities, alarm zones, HVAC systems, and individually keyed steel doors, so the building can easily be adapted to securely house multiple creative businesses. It took over 10 years to acquire 5438 Penn Ave through a private sale in 2011, and not a month goes by without an earnest offer to purchase this iconic building. The famous Lackzoom Acidophilus facade was professionally repointed in 2021 and the roof was replaced in 2023. While great care and expense have gone into preserving the exterior shell, the interior suffered extensive damage under prior ownership. The building has been substantially gutted and is currently used for storage and parking. This fantastic property features two 1,400 sq. ft. floors, a full basement, and a large gated yard accessible via the private alley. So much raw potential just awaiting your live and / or work vision. Please note these two adjoining properties compliment one another for many reasons and will not be separated for individual sale.