BLOCK 22

Brick. Mortar. Heart. Soul.

Block22 is an innovative, mix-use, living-learning community in downtown Pittsburg, KS.

Developed through a unique partnership between Pittsburg State University, the City of Pittsburg and the Vecino Group, Block22 transforms four historic buildings at 4th and Broadway into an entrepreneurial epicenter. In the fall of 2018, Block22 was selected as one of the top university-led projects in the nation by the University Economic Development Association.

Photos: Brett Dalton

The city’s forefathers originally platted Pittsburg into 51 blocks. The oldest building included in the Block22 project, the Opera House Hotel, was located in Block 22 of the original map. Hence, the moniker Block22.

Transformative projects like Block 22 are only possible when communities are willing to participate as partners. As a developer, it’s incredibly rewarding to lead the process and see the benefit of positive collaboration.

Mat Burton

Vecino Group / Development

STUDENT HOUSING

4 Buildings, 97 Units

“The challenge of re-developing 4 historic buildings (National Bank, Opera House Hotel, The Commerce and The Baxter) each with its own unique characteristics and in a build-to-suit arrangement with the university was daunting to say the least. But—much like our Park East redevelopment in Springfield, Missouri—this was a successful turning point for its downtown…and both developments even have an historic theater right next door!”

Bruce Adib-Yazdi / Vecino Group, Development

ENTREPRENEURS / CO-WORKING

The Foundry

Harkening back to Pittsburg’s original industrial boom, The Foundry @ Block22 is designed to harness the power of visionaries and create the city’s next generation of entrepreneurs. Located on the ground floors of the National Bank and Opera House Hotel buildings, The Foundry is home to a variety of innovative, creative teams, including Pittsburg State’s University Strategic Initiatives unit. The Foundry’s co-working space is home to several local businesses, including:

LimeLight Marketing

Helianthus Ventures

Votive Packaging Solutions

Pitsco “Idea Shop”

Dev-Squared

CrawKan

RETAIL

Restaurants

Nothing brings people together better than food—so what better for the center of Pittsburg than four restaurants? Brick + Mortar, Toast, Root Coffee, and Juicy’s Cali-Style Burritos all offer something for everyone. Whether a family get-together, a late-night study session or just a quick bite, Block 22 has the menu covered.

IMPACT

Having The Foundry downstairs as well as a creative space is not only going to help me in my classroom with the G.I.T. department, but also pursue my entrepreneurial dreams.

Kailey, Resident

IMPACT

I love it. It’s so cool to be one of the first to live here—and to be part of such a historic Pittsburg moment.

Isaias, Resident

IMPACT

Being part of Block 22 has made our business feel like an integral part of our community. We enjoy local restaurants and shops that we can hit up throughout the day or just after work. Plus, The Foundry is vibrant with different organizations and community groups coming through—so we feel like we are part of a bigger community than just ourselves.

Brandee Johnson / President, Limelight Marketing

IMPACT

Vecino has been a true partner from the start…we had a shared vision for what we could do to transform our downtown and our community.

Shawn Nacaratto / Chief Strategy Officer, Pittsburg State University

IMPACT

The most impressive moment was the last day. A huge amount of people from the college and City (including the President of the college and City Manager) helped make things perfect for students moving in the next day. Everyone worked together to make the project a success.

Dustin Wilson, Vecino Construciton

DETAILS

Historic crossroads

“My first visit to Pittsburg took place when Vecino approached me to help with a new project there. Once I learned more about the town and the project, the word ‘transformative’ kept coming to mind. I’ve spent many years as a historic preservation consultant and have seen firsthand what an economic catalyst a single, well-executed rehab project can be for towns like Pittsburg. Block 22 went far beyond a single rehab—FOUR architecturally significant historic buildings in one of the most prominent intersections in downtown Pittsburg!”

Deb Sheals / Building Preservation LLC

DETAILS

Negative space, positive solution.

In the past it was a building, then a bank drive-thru, then just empty space. In Block 22, it now connects the “National Bank Building” and ”Opera House Hotel” through three levels of new design. The top two feature hallways and amenity study space with a rooftop deck. The ground floor holds a maker space for The Foundry and an outdoor courtyard.

DETAILS

Eclectic & inspiring.

What decor do you get when you draw inspiration from an 1800s Opera House, a 1900s hotel, 1940s office spaces, a 50s soda fountain and a 100 year old pharmacy? 100% vibes. The units in each historic building expresses its historic past—creating funky, creative spaces where students will write their future.

DETAILS

Art, murals, steel...

“Pitt’s history and these buildings…just, wow. So. much. cool. 125-year-old elevator parts were reimagined into lighting and signage; U.S. patents from local entreprenuers became wall art; units with the names of 1890s Opera House artists; an antique bank vault transformed into a conference room. All to remind students of Pittsburg’s decades of inventive thinking—and inspire each of them to continue it.”

Patrick McWhirt / Vecino Group, Creative

DETAILS

Past forward

“Preservation requirements always make for challenges. In this case, we had to design with the existing windows and interior doors in their original locations. I love that the original glazed doors were kept and reused—each glass redesigned with the name of a historic Pittsburg business.”

Walter Warren / Vecino Design