Offering co-working space and access to a global network of services, mentors and investors, OneValley at the Roundhouse will serve as a hub for entrepreneurship and innovation
(PITTSBURGH) September 22, 2021 — With completion of a transformative $13.7 million renovation, the Roundhouse at Hazelwood Green has officially opened as the newest innovation hub of OneValley, a Silicon Valley-based global entrepreneurship platform that supports entrepreneurs, accelerates startups, and empowers organizations across the world that foster innovation communities. OneValley at the Roundhouse brings together coworking space and a host of services, support, and networking opportunities that, together, will power and benefit Pittsburgh’s innovation ecosystem.
The renovation, made possible through a combined investment by the Richard King Mellon Foundation and the Heinz Endowments, has transformed the former industrial structure into a home for the region’s and world’s next generation of entrepreneurs. OneValley at the Roundhouse will also welcome students, local small businesses, curious life-long learners, and the broader community to participate in regular events and workshops, both at the Roundhouse and virtually, and connect them with the entrepreneurial ecosystem that is developing in Hazelwood Green and beyond.
“In the 19th century, the Roundhouse serviced the locomotives that powered the innovation economy of that era. Now, the Roundhouse will be an engine once again, for a new economy, and a new generation of Pittsburgh innovators and entrepreneurs,” said Sam Reiman, director of the Richard King Mellon Foundation. “And we are fortunate to have an expert partner at the Roundhouse to serve our innovators and entrepreneurs. OneValley could have gone anywhere in the world to open their next global office. It is a statement about Pittsburgh, and a validation of our vision for the Roundhouse, that they chose to come here.”
OneValley at the Roundhouse will operate on a membership basis, with members receiving access to turnkey office and coworking spaces and on-site amenities, as well as access to the Pittsburgh Entrepreneurship Platform (PEP) and a global network of more than 40,000 entrepreneurs, 450 investors and 200 mentors via OneValley’s Passport Platform. Built in partnership with Ascender and launched through the support of a $500,000 grant awarded by the Richard King Mellon Foundation, the PEP will connect startups and innovators to locally curated resources, mentors, investors, potential customers, and savings on essential business tools and learning content. PEP is geared to onboard and support every Seed and Pre-Series A startup in the Pittsburgh area. PEP’s digital innovation platform provides access to resources and discounted tools and services such as cloud computing, video conferencing, sales tools and more, as well as the ability to connect to and learn from industry mentors plus thousands of like-minded founders through shared experiences and networking.
“The Roundhouse represents a magnificent showpiece for our Hazelwood Green development and one of many major initiatives that are now coming to fruition on the site,” said Grant Oliphant, president of The Heinz Endowments. “It is exciting to see our vision for innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainability taking shape on the site, creating opportunities and benefits now and for future generations.”
The Roundhouse project is a milestone in the development of Hazelwood Green, which over the last 19 years has seen an investment of more than $100 million by the Richard King Mellon Foundation, Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, and Heinz Endowments to remediate and prepare the former brownfield for sustainable and equitable development.
“I am thrilled to see the response to our OneValley Innovation Center and the Pittsburgh Entrepreneurship Platform” says Nikhil Sinha, CEO of OneValley. “In such a short amount of time, we have already started to support and accelerate dozens of Pittsburgh based startups and I feel confident that we’ve only scratched the surface of what is possible here.”
The Roundhouse comprises 26,000 gross square-feet and incorporates original elements such as the turntable and operator cab, bridge crane, fume hood room and track rails. Open exterior space for community use accommodates a variety of programs and events. The design by GBBN connects to the history of the Roundhouse and its importance to Pittsburgh’s past while repositioning the space to usher in its new role.
“I have been a Pittsburgh resident for 20 years now and all of my time here has been spent investing in and growing the regional innovation ecosystem,” says Nehal Bhojak, GM, OneValley at the Roundhouse. “I am extremely proud that a global company like OneValley chose Pittsburgh as its next innovation center because it speaks to our transformation from an industrial economy to an innovation centric economy. Housing the innovation center in the restored Roundhouse is a perfect homage to that transformation.”
The Roundhouse will aim for LEED Gold Certification and is the first project to be tracked against Pittsburgh’s new resiliency standards. A partnership with Monmade has enabled the work of local artists and makers to be seeded throughout the space, including:
- Exterior wayfinding signs, wood and metal lounge seating, mesh walls and matching sliding door, and interior raw steel wall mount bike racks by Technique AP
- Powder coated exterior bike racks by Transit Forge
- Exterior feature metal and wood bench, and bronze metal, walnut and porcelain top reception desk by Temper and Grit
- Walnut kitchen island by Bones and All
- Glass pendant lighting by Pittsburgh Glass Center
- Ceramic pendant lighting by Stak Ceramics
- Blown glass and bronze feature pendants by Spacapan
- Ceramic wall tile by Limelight Tile
- Kitchen backsplash tile and Pittsburgh neighborhood themed and toile style wallcoverings by Modesto Studios
- Wood interior wayfinding signage by Roost Design Build
For more information on membership, co-working space, the Pittsburgh Entrepreneurship Platform, email pghcommunity@theonevalley.com or visit www.theonevalley.com/innovation-center-pittsburgh.
About Almono
In 2002, Almono LP was formed by four Pittsburgh foundations to purchase the Hazelwood site from LTV Steel for $10 million. Today, Almono comprises three Pittsburgh foundations – the Richard King Mellon Foundation, The Heinz Endowments and the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation.
About OneValley
OneValley is a global entrepreneurship platform headquartered in Silicon Valley, that supports entrepreneurs, accelerates startups, and empowers organizations across the world that foster innovation communities. OneValley directly supports over 40,000 members and indirectly another 175,000+ through its enterprise partnerships and platforms, powered by its online platform Passport, the world’s most comprehensive innovation platform connecting Silicon Valley to the World and the World to Silicon Valley. For more information, visit www.theonevalley.com.
About Hazelwood Green
Located in Pittsburgh’s Hazelwood neighborhood and situated along the Monongahela River, Hazelwood Green is envisioned to become a world-class model for sustainable development that is aligned with community and grounded in the principles of sustainability, equity, and inclusive economic opportunity. This former urban brownfield is being transformed into a center for innovation, with a design vision that encompasses a mix of offices, research and development, light manufacturing, housing, retail, public green spaces, trails and transportation.
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CONTACT: Laura Ellis / 412.952.7844 / lellis@veritaspr.com
Bob Butter / 412.736.6186 / bbutter@veritaspr.com
