Albion Sues Franjo Over Lawrenceville Apartment Delays
Developer Albion Residential has sued contractor Franjo Construction over delays and costs at its 267-unit Lawrenceville project.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Construction
Albion Residential sued Franjo Construction in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court over the Albion Lawrenceville project at 5275 Butler St. Franjo has filed claims seeking about $1.75 million for unpaid labor and materials, and five subcontractors have filed claims totaling about $1.85 million against Albion.
Why it matters
The dispute centers on a project that cost $65.78 million against a $64 million guaranteed maximum price, with Albion contending Franjo's delays caused the claims and penalties. Unresolved payment claims can slow subcontractor payments and affect construction timelines for Pittsburgh-area development projects.
Franjo's claim fell from about $6 million in July to about $1.75 million in August, while the project cost $65.78 million against a $64 million guaranteed maximum price. Albion paid Franjo $4.25 million in August, and the lawsuit's outcome remains undetermined.
The players
Albion Residential
Albion Residential is a developer headquartered outside Chicago that owns and is building the Albion Lawrenceville project.
Franjo Construction
Franjo Construction is a Homestead-based contractor that built the Albion Lawrenceville project and is now in dispute with the developer.
The details
Albion Residential, headquartered outside Chicago, filed suit against Homestead-based Franjo Construction in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court over the 267-unit Albion Lawrenceville building. Franjo filed a claim in July seeking about $6 million for unpaid labor and materials and later reduced it to about $1.75 million, and it agreed to partially waive its lien and pay subcontractors who filed claims against Albion.
Timeline
Nov. 18, 2025: Deadline for completing the project's first phase
Feb. 28, 2026: Deadline for substantial completion of the building
March 6, 2026: Franjo completed the first phase, months late
April 6, 2026: Franjo achieved substantial completion, months late
July 2026: Franjo filed its initial claim seeking about $6 million
Market Landscape
Disputes over lien waivers and subcontractor claims are governed in Pennsylvania by the Mechanics' Lien Law, which sets the rules for how unpaid contractors and suppliers secure payment on private construction. This case shows how payment disputes between developers and general contractors can ripple down to subcontractors on large apartment projects.
Subcontractors and suppliers on large Pittsburgh-area projects may face delayed payments when general contractor disputes reach court. Homebuyers and renters in new buildings may also see schedule slippage that affects move-in dates.
The takeaway
Payment disputes on large projects often hinge on lien waivers, so subcontractors and owners alike should track waiver paperwork closely. Clear documentation of delays and completion dates can determine how claims are resolved.
Further reading
For more on local building projects, see Pittsburgh Construction coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by TribLIVE.
