Phipps Conservatory To Acquire Pittsburgh Irish Centre Site

PITTSBURGH, PA —Phipps Conservatory as reached an agreement to acquire the former Irish Centre site in Squirrel Hill.

The new satellite site for the conservatory's operations tentatively will be named the Phipps Program Staging Center for its dual focus on the growth of plants and communities. The staging center will be the headquarters for the Conservatory’s Homegrown program, an incubator for new community greening projects, a nursery plants for upcoming flower shows and a lab for

research projects.

"As this exciting new journey begins, we look forward to developing a space to showcase new paths forward to living with human and environmental health in mind," Phipps President and CEO Richard Piacentini said in a news release.

Phipps' impending acquisition of the property comes after the city zoning board last fall denied Toronto-based Craft General's variance request that was necessary to build a 162-unit, eight story apartment building on the property.

The proposed complex, which drew considerable community opposition, would have included a pool, fitness center and a 182-space parking lot.