A 100,000-square-foot speculative warehouse constructed by ARCO National Construction and developed by Crossgates Management, Inc. and Elmhurst Group, has earned the 2026 CoStar Impact Award for Pittsburgh Commercial Development of the Year. Located at 55 Hickory Street in Washington, Pennsylvania, the project represents a significant commercial investment that introduced modern distribution space to an underserved area of Washington County while catalyzing redevelopment of a long-dormant brownfield site.
Constructed on the nearly 20-acre former Brockway Glass Plant property, the development transformed a deteriorating, rail-served industrial site into modern, market-ready distribution space at the strategic junction of Interstates 70 and 79. Phase 1 introduced a 100,000-square-foot speculative distribution facility designed to meet the evolving needs of logistics, electrical, and light industrial users.
The building features 32-foot clear heights, nine dock positions, two drive-in ramps, and tilt-up concrete construction with a conventional steel structure; an approach that is less common in the local market, where precast construction typically dominates. This design choice allowed for speed to market while maintaining durability and flexibility for a range of tenants.
During speculative construction, a lease was executed with Lighthouse Electric, and a tenant improvement contract was finalized prior to completion, validating the site’s strategic positioning and functionality. That early commitment directly advanced Phase II of the development, which will add an additional 65,000 square feet, bringing the total project to 165,000 square feet of new Class A industrial space in a market historically underserved by modern warehouse inventory.
The project also delivered meaningful economic and community benefits. The development incorporated Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) funding, requiring 100% prevailing wage labor and 100% U.S.-manufactured steel. COVID-era grant funding further influenced HVAC design to enhance occupant health and operational continuity. These public-private partnerships added complexity while ensuring alignment with workforce, manufacturing, and regional development objectives.
By reactivating a long-obsolete industrial site and introducing flexible, speculative distribution space at a critical transportation crossroads, the project has repositioned the property as a productive economic asset and established a foundation for continued commercial growth in the Pittsburgh region.
ABOUT CROSSGATES MANAGEMENT, INC. & ELMHURST GROUP
Crossgates Management, Inc. and Elmhurst Group are experienced commercial real estate development firms focused on delivering strategic industrial and commercial projects that drive economic growth and long-term value within their markets.
ABOUT ARCO NATIONAL CONSTRUCTION
ARCO National Construction is a leading design-build general contractor providing turnkey delivery of industrial and commercial facilities nationwide. With a fully integrated approach, ARCO offers planning, design, engineering, and construction services to deliver cost certainty, speed to market, and long-term value for its clients.
