Project Description:

In November 2022, beloved craft beer brand Aslin Beer Company debuted its latest location in the historic Strip District Terminal building located at 1801 Smallman Street in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. To bring the brand’s vision for its Steel City presence to life, Aslin tapped architecture and design firm //3877 for the interior and exterior renovation of the brand’s space within the iconic building. Marking //3877 and Aslin’s third collaboration, the two-story project features a classic industrial ambiance with a 10-barrel brewhouse, 18-seat bar, café, outdoor patio, and various dining areas, creating a dynamic F&B destination for the Strip District neighborhood.

From the main entrance on Smallman Street, guests will experience the bustling commercial part of the historic area. To build upon the highly-anticipated revitalization of the terminal building, //3877 carries the lively neighborhood energy into the Aslin atmosphere through an exposed steel structure that is painted bright green and orange with expansive windows and colorful wall graphics, filling the environment with character and accentuating the existing building structure. Upon entering, guests will first notice the café and takeout window, thoughtfully placed for enhanced convenience to customers on-the-go regardless of the purpose for their visit –– whether to grab a quick coffee, beer, or bite to eat.

The Aslin Pittsburgh Taproom & Brewhouse layout is strategically multi-purposed; while the café greets patrons with casual dining at the front, the bar is at the heart of the experience––impressively anchoring the space as a whole and centered between two expansive columns––you can’t miss it! The brewery is located on the right hand side, tucked under the mezzanine. Patrons get sneak peaks of the brewery from both inside and outside the taproom, while windows from the dining area create sightlines to the brewhouse as well as the stacked Foeders.

The terminal building boasts entrances around the whole property, giving the community greater access to Aslin’s taproom and brewhouse from any direction. If entering from the back side of the building, facing the residential neighborhood, guests will be welcomed in by an outdoor patio equipped with comfortable seating, modern linear lighting, as well as heaters for the cooler months and fans for the warmer months.

Inside, //3877 and Aslin worked closely to depart from the type of “traditional” brewery furniture one might expect––the entire space is equipped with custom furniture, shelving and millwork designed by //3877 and manufactured by ACID, a Lebanon and New York-based furniture brand. Trickled throughout, playful colors and cables are integrated into decorative lighting that illuminates the space with eclectic taste. Nodding to the city’s rich commercial history––over 300 steel-related businesses call Pittsburgh their home––//3877 incorporated the steel theme into the metal screens, counters, and bathrooms as well as the exposed portion of the mezzanine. The design team maintained the industrial feel of the space through neutral materials, concrete flooring and a painted white ceiling. To complement Aslin’s staple neon signage, brewery-inspired graphics and wall decals, pops of green alongside vibrant orange handrails give additional vibrancy and personality to the environment.

From 1850 to 1964, the 13-block parcel of the Strip District Terminal made significant contributions to Pittsburgh’s commercial history. Today, the architecture continues to define the iconic neighborhood. //3877’s simple and colorful design provides a complementary backdrop to the stark, yet stunning original industrial building. The cherished district’s most recent addition, the Aslin Pittsburgh Taproom & Brewhouse, brings a fresh energy and the quintessential Aslin experience to the building––inviting the zythophile community, foodies, coffee aficionados, neighbors and tourists alike together over yummy bites, craft beers, and good times.