3 Crossings complex in Strip lands new tenant
By Mark Belko / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
A German technology company will jump from one river to another, nearly doubling its regional footprint in the process and giving Oxford Development Co. another coveted tenant.
Robert Bosch LLC announced Monday that it will open a 51,667-square-foot technology center in Oxford’s 3 Crossings complex in the Strip District in July. The company has signed a seven-year lease to occupy a three-story, 77,501-square-foot building now under construction at 2555 Smallman St.
Robert Bosch currently has offices on East Carson Street on the South Side. The new facility will allow Bosch to consolidate many of its employees into one location. The new office will house about 140 people initially.
The company is making the move because of growth of its business units, including its research and technology center and its subsidiary Akustica, which makes microelectromechanical systems microphone products.
“This state-of-the-art facility will provide our researchers and engineers with a world-class working environment tailored specifically to their needs,” said Jiri Marek, senior vice president of Bosch Research and Technology Center, North America.
“This investment highlights Bosch’s commitment to attracting top talent from the Pittsburgh region and beyond to support our mission to create the next generation of solutions for a connected life.”
The new building also will have improved lab space “that enhances our product development and testing capabilities,” added Horst Muenzel, Akustica president and general manager.
Bosch has partnered with Carnegie Mellon University on the Carnegie Bosch Institute dedicated to executive education. The company recently donated $2.5 million to CMU to create the Bosch Distinguished Chair in Security and Private Technologies. It also is working with CMU to create a “smart campus” using intelligent buildings and spaces to improve efficiency and enhance campus experiences.
The 2555 Smallman St. building Bosch will take will be the first in the region to employ a Euro Plaza, or “woonerf” — Dutch for “living street.” The plaza will provide parking during the day and a community gathering space at night and on weekends.
It will be built at the same grade as the sidewalk and without curbs. Lighted bollards will be used to direct traffic.
Bosch will be joining the Burns White law firm; Apple; and Rycon Construction at 3 Crossings, a $160 million mixed-use development that will feature four office buildings, 300 apartments and a 578-space multimodal transportation facility.
Mark Belko: mbelko@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1262.
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