Albion Sues Franjo Over Delays and Liens at Albion Lawrenceville

Albion Residential has sued Franjo Construction, its general contractor, over the 267-unit Albion Lawrenceville project at 5275 Butler St. in Lawrenceville, after Franjo and five of its subcontractors filed claims against Albion for payment.

In a lawsuit filed in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court, Albion said Franjo exceeded its guaranteed maximum price of $64 million and completed its work months later than the contracts outlined. Franjo was supposed to complete the first phase by Nov. 18, 2025, and have the building substantially complete by Feb. 28, 2026, but did not meet those benchmarks until March 6, 2026, and April 6, 2026, respectively, at a cost of $65.78 million, the suit said. Albion also claims Franjo failed to pay its subcontractors and provide the mechanic's lien waivers required by the contract.

Franjo filed a claim in July seeking about $6 million for unpaid labor and materials, a figure dropped to around $1.75 million in August after Albion paid part of the funds sought. Five Franjo subcontractors have filed about $1.85 million in similar claims against Albion, which Albion says are Franjo's responsibility to settle. Albion paid Franjo $4.25 million in August and is asking the court to declare that it is not liable for additional payments and to order Franjo to settle its subcontractors' claims.

The six-story building, developed by Albion Residential with architecture by Harthorne and Plunkard, includes studios, one- and two-bedroom units and 5,700 square feet of retail. Initial resident move-ins began in March 2026. Amenities include a fitness center with boxing equipment and a yoga studio, an arcade room with a bar, a rooftop terrace with grills and a fire pit, and a courtyard. The project also restored a historic 1800s firehouse on site as a common area. Construction started in 2024. First National Bank and First Commonwealth Bank provided financing.