PITTSBURGH — There’s uncertainty surrounding the future of a boutique hotel in the heart of Lawrenceville.
TRYP by Wyndham hotel is on the market facing foreclosure after it was unable to bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“That’s sad to hear,” said Brennan Petrucci who’s staying at the hotel. “It’s such a great location, great staff too.”
TRYP, which sits along 40th and Butler streets, is still open for business.
For months, Pittsburgh-based developer Hullett Properties has been eyeing the boutique hotel. They’re proposing turning TRYP into 108 affordable studio rentals.
Non-profits Lawrenceville Corporation (LC) and Lawrenceville United (LU) have been in talks with the developer to get a better idea of its plan and how it’ll be funded.
“LU and LC have not taken a stance on the project at all,” said Sarah Trbovic, the executive director of Lawrenceville Corporation. “We hear from the community, gather feedback, we see how any project aligns with our values and mission and vision for the community.”
Trbovic said the developer hasn’t ruled out making some of the units available for the homeless. She said Hullett Properties is looking into setting aside more than a dozen units for low-income families and the homeless.
“It has not been determined who the units would be for,” Trbovic said. “There are a lot of unknowns at this point.”
Hullett Properties is vowing to work with the community before moving forward with any plans.
A statement by Breanna Tyson, a principal of Hullett, reads:
“We understand that the community is very interested in learning more about the housing options that would be made available through the potential conversion of the TRYP Hotel.
“Since yesterday, we have received significant expressions of interest from Lawrenceville residents, and those desiring to live there, who are eager to learn about units that may become available. However, we want to emphasize that no final decisions regarding the specific housing offering have been made at this time. It is important to us that we conduct a thorough and thoughtful process of engagement with the community before moving forward.
“We recognize the need for affordable housing and are aware of the strong demand within the community for accessible housing options. Our goal is to ensure that this development concept is formed in a way that reflects the needs and values of the neighborhood.
“We respectfully ask for the opportunity to proceed through this community process which we are planning to participate in community meetings hosted by LU/LC and collaboratively work with local residents and stakeholders.”
Lawrenceville Corporation and Lawrenceville United plan to host community meetings on the project starting in February.
“There’s kind of an affordability crisis in the city and if it’s a good project and meets the needs, then maybe this will actually help,” Trbovic said.
TRYP by Wyndham’s property manager, GF Hotels, sent Channel 11 a statement that reads:
“The hotel is open and will continue to operate as usual,” said Chase Martin with GF Hotels. “The hotel is not under any current contract for sale. We will continue to prioritize our guests and future events. There is no further comment at this time.”
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