Tall & Urban News

Gulf Tower, a 44-story skyscraper that opened 90 years ago, could be converted into a luxury hotel and condominiums or apartments under a plan being explored by New Jersey-based owner Rugby Realty.

The conversion is being considered at a time when the historic skyscraper — built to be the headquarters for the Gulf Oil Company — is about 50% occupied after a fire shut it down for nearly six months last year, which resulted in about US$40 million worth of repairs.

While plans are still in the very preliminary stages, Rugby is looking to put a luxury hotel with 150 to 170 rooms on the first 12 to 13 floors of the tower, with 190 to 215 condos or apartments above that.

For more on this story, see Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.