From Aluminum to Skyline: The Elmhurst Story

For more than a century, the Hunt family’s commercial investments and philanthropy have helped shape Pittsburgh’s progress. Since 1974, Elmhurst has continued that legacy—building spaces, partnerships, and opportunities that endure.

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Black-and-white photo of Roy A. Hunt and his father Alfred in 1898; Roy stands behind a seated Alfred who holds a cane, both dressed in period clothing and hats.
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Legacy

Elmhurst was founded in 1974 as a long-term reinvestment vehicle for Pittsburgh. Built on a family legacy dating back to Alfred E. Hunt—founder of Alcoa and a key figure in Pittsburgh’s industrial rise—Elmhurst carries forward a generational philosophy:

invest patiently, build responsibly, and leave communities stronger than you found them.

From its earliest acquisitions to its most recent adaptive-use developments, Elmhurst has focused on meaningful economic impact—creating properties that generate opportunity, support enterprise, and strengthen Pittsburgh’s future.

Timeline

135 Years of Pittsburgh Progress

A century of strategic investments that transformed urban landscapes

1888

Foundations of American Industry

Alfred E. Hunt co-founds the Pittsburgh Reduction Company (later Alcoa), sparking a transformation in American manufacturing and establishing a family legacy rooted in innovation, responsibility, and regional investment.

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1903

Roy A. Hunt Joins Alcoa

Alfred’s son, Roy A. Hunt begins his 63-year career with Alcoa in 1903 as a mill clerk and ultimately becomes President, a position he held from 1928 to 1951.

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1940s

A Family Philosophy of Reinvestment

When Roy and Rachel Hunt founded The Hunt Foundation in 1951, they sparked a family tradition of civic purpose. Their commitment to Pittsburgh’s institutions, universities, and cultural organizations laid the groundwork for a lasting ethos of stewardship and long-view decision-making.

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1974

Elmhurst Is Founded

The Hunt Family establishes Elmhurst as a dedicated vehicle for long-term real estate investment in Pittsburgh. The firm’s early focus: acquiring undervalued multifamily and industrial sites, stabilizing them through disciplined repositioning.

Vintage advertisement showing a multi-story apartment building with text reading, 'Who Would Want to Live at the Ambassador You Would.'

1980s

The First Wave of Transformative Projects

Elmhurst executes its first major industrial and flex-space redevelopments — bringing new uses to former manufacturing properties and proving that adaptive reuse can generate lasting local value.

Night view of Ramada Hotel building in downtown Pittsburgh with airplane flying nearby and illuminated hotel sign.

1984

Bill Hunt Steps Up as CEO

Bill Hunt joins the firm and later steps into the role of President and CEO, ushering in a new chapter of steady, principle-driven leadership for Elmhurst. Under his guidance, the firm deepens its commitment to thoughtful investment, long-term value creation, and the quiet strength that defines its culture.

1990s

Airport Expansion and PenTrust Partnership

Building on its early success with the Pittsburgh Airport Business Park, Elmhurst expands its industrial footprint and, by the late 1990s, establishes a long-term partnership with PenTrust—culminating in the development of the 462,000 SF Airside Business Park and setting the stage for decades of collaborative investment.

2000s

Large-Scale Urban Renewal & Partnerships

Elmhurst partners with civic institutions, universities, and community groups to convert underutilized sites into productive hubs — contributing to Pittsburgh’s economic evolution from heavy industry to advanced technology.

A modern industrial building with a corrugated metal roof and glass windows, surrounded by greenery and adjacent to a road and river.

2010s

Building for a New Economy

With Pittsburgh emerging as a robotics, AI, and life-sciences hub, Elmhurst invests in next-generation industrial, flex, and office environments designed to support high-growth sectors and the region’s innovation ecosystem.

Blue industrial robotic arm cutting metal with sparks flying inside a factory area with safety fencing, two people visible in the background.

2020s

Generational Continuity, Modern Vision

Under Bill Hunt’s leadership, Elmhurst refines a strategy grounded in disciplined investing, community engagement, and thoughtful urban design — ensuring Pittsburgh’s next chapter is built with purpose, not speculation.

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The Hunt Legacy

135 Years of Commitment to Pittsburgh

From aluminum production to modern real estate development, the Hunt family has been involved in Pittsburgh’s economy for five generations.

This legacy is not simply historical—it influences how Elmhurst invests today. Our approach is grounded in:

Long-term stewardship

over short-term speculation

Civic partnership

with universities, nonprofits, and municipal leaders

Sustainable reinvestment

in the city’s growth

Respect for Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods, heritage, and future

EARLY STRATEGY TO MODERN APPROACH

A New Model for Reinvestment

Elmhurst’s earliest acquisitions in the late 1970s and early 1980s helped shape an investment approach that continues today:

Identify overlooked assets, unlock new utility, and create lasting economic value.

Through disciplined redevelopment, Elmhurst showed that:

Industrial properties can be repositioned for modern uses

Flex and hybrid spaces unlock enterprise growth

Investors benefit most when communities benefit too

ALWAYS LOCAL

Pittsburgh Roots, Community Future

Elmhurst’s work has always been local, intentional, and deeply connected to the people and institutions that make Pittsburgh thrive.

Our partnerships support:

Workforce development

Neighborhood revitalization

Cultural institutions

Local entrepreneurship

Municipal infrastructure improvements

For investors seeking meaningful impact and stable long-term performance, Pittsburgh offers a rare combination of resilience, innovation, and opportunity.

"Legacy is not what we inherit—it’s what we continue to build."

— Bill Hunt, CEO
STEWARDS OF TODAY

Meet the Leaders

Disciplined investment through experienced vision

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President & CEO

Bill Hunt
Leading Elmhurst’s Generational Strategy

Bill guides Elmhurst’s long-term vision, pairing disciplined investment strategy with a deep commitment to Pittsburgh’s future. Under his leadership, the firm has grown thoughtfully, balancing performance, stewardship, and community impact.

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Director of Leasing

Eric Schindler
Connecting Tenants With the Right Spaces

Eric leads leasing across Elmhurst’s portfolio, matching tenants with spaces that support their growth and operations. His relationship-driven approach helps create stable, long-term occupancies that strengthen every asset.

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Director of Investor Relations

Justin Hunt
Guiding Investors With Clarity and Purpose

Justin approaches investor relations with precision, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to clarity. At Elmhurst, he builds trusted relationships that extend beyond capital—shaping partnerships that endure through shared purpose and disciplined growth.

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Chief Financial Officer

Maria Sinclair
Stewarding Capital With Quiet Discipline

Maria oversees Elmhurst’s financial strategy and risk management, ensuring every decision is grounded in rigor, transparency, and long-term value creation. She brings clarity to complex capital structures so partners can invest with confidence.

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Director of Development

Brian Miller
Turning Vision Into Built Environments

Brian oversees Elmhurst’s ground-up and redevelopment projects, from early feasibility through delivery. With a background in complex institutional construction, he ensures each project is executed with precision, efficiency, and respect for place.

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Director of Property Management

Marc Battistone
Keeping Buildings Running, People Thriving

As Director of Property Management, Marc oversees the full operational lifecycle of Elmhurst’s portfolio—from the parking lot to the rooftop and every system in between. He works closely with internal site teams and trusted vendor partners to maintain HVAC, electrical, plumbing, life safety, landscaping, cleaning, and security operations.

Elmhurst White Symbol

A legacy that builds forward

Explore how Elmhurst continues to shape Pittsburgh's future through strategic investments and enduring partnerships