
There's plenty developing Downtown. Plans are coming to fruition and they will change the city's landscape for the better. Get all the project details below.

As an anchor institution of Downtown Pittsburgh, Point Park University recognizes that its vision and goals are organically tied to its urban neighborhood. The Academic Village at Point Park University is a multi-block living and learning hub that is transforming the University campus and Downtown Pittsburgh. It is redefining the student experience, campus life and Point Park’s connection to the community. The Academic Village Initiative will bring new cultural and academic facilities, architectural and streetscape improvements, and greater economic opportunity. It represents the confluence of Point Park’s guiding principles: academic excellence, quality student experience, community engagement, and managed growth.
The Park at the Academic Village will be completed in September 2011. The new park bring a unique outdoor space to Downtown with trees, plantings and sustainable architectural features, and will include an
For more information on the Academic Village project and to view a media kit, click here. The photo pictured at right is courtesy of Jim Schafer.

Slated to be the world’s greenest skyscraper, this 800,000 S/F, 35-40 story office tower at the corner of Fifth and Wood Streets will be the fourth office tower at the PNC campus, where the bank has been headquartered for more than 150 years. The new building will have double glass façade that will allow for natural ventilation and reduce cooling costs. There will also be two green rooftops, which will collect rainwater for use in other parts of the structure. It is estimated the tower will consume less than half the energy of a typical office building.
PNC will be using the same architect on the new project as it did on Three PNC Plaza, San Francisco-based Gensler, and Pittsburgh-based P.J. Dick will be the construction manager. PNC Financial Services Group expects to start construction in 2012 and should be completed by mid-2015. The building will house 3,000 PNC employees, including its top executive. In addition to the office space, there will be street level retail and about 300 underground parking spaces. Find additional information via PNC's Website.

The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy is leading a complete renewal of historic Mellon Square in the Golden Triangle. With a total construction budget of $7 million, the project fulfills recommendations of the Square’s Preservation, Interpretation, and Management Plan, completed in 2009. This project, to be completed in phases over several years, will restore the Square to its 1950's Modernist design, and to achieve a 15% expansion of public space by creating a new terrace area overlooking Smithfield Street. The signature fountains will be restored to their original design, as will dramatic nighttime lighting. A management component, including a $4 million maintenance fund, will address long-term stewardship and sustainability of this nationally significant Modern plaza.
Phase 1 improvements are currently underway in Mellon Square, focusing on the Smithfield Street side of the Square, including the Steps, Cascade Fountain, new Terrace, Planters, and an Interpretive Wall to tell the important story of Mellon Square within the context of Pittsburgh’s first Renaissance and ongoing innovative spirit. The first phase is expected to be complete by Spring of 2012. For more information, contact the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy at (412) 682-7275.
The Parks Conservancy is working in partnership with the City of Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Parking Authority, the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, and the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation to address the needs of both the park and its users and keep Mellon Square vibrant for years to come.
Estimated to be completed in 2013 and designed to be LEED certified, The Gardens, a will be comprised of a 175 room limited service hotel, approximately 100,000 SF of office space, approximately 25,000 SF of first floor retail and a 300 car parking garage. The 15-story high-rise will be located on the south side of Forbes Avenue, in the block between Wood Street and Market Square.
For additional project details, visit www.millcraftindustries.com.

Brand new coming in Fall 2011! Selected to the National Register of Historic Places, the former Bell Telephone Building now features 158 luxury 1 & 2 bedroom apartments. Downtown Pittsburgh’s finest interiors and breathtaking views await you. Step out your front door and the city is yours. Blocks of restaurants, clubs, shopping, culture and parks are right at your fingertips. Downtown living at its best at 201 Stanwix Street!
Read more about 201 Stanwix Street.
What was originally the State Office building had a $45.5 million makeover and is not the 218-unit River Vue Apartments. River Vue features studio, one- and two-bedroom units, with one three-bedroom unit. The complex will also offer two-story townhouses a select group of walk-up flats on the upper floors.
Rents are expected to average about $1500, starting at $1000 per month for the studios and increase for the larger units. Amenities will include a fitness center, a game room, and a coffee shop and deli. Arrangements have been made for guest parking and tenant loading areas with integral valet parking at all hours and days. Occupancy will be phased, and full occupancy is expected by the fall of 2012. Visit the Facebook page for more information.
Downtown Pittsburgh's latest residential address is 806 Penn Avenue, where the L'Enfants Lofts project emerges as a jewel on a quiet section of Pittsburgh's premier street. Enjoy one-level living in a loft with river view and easy access to all major roadways. The lofts range from 1180 – 1670 square feet, with an average asking price of $335,000. Each unit has a private balcony in the rear and window rooms with river views in the front. They anticipate permits allowing for the first residents in August and September 2011. Visit the L'enfant Lofts Website for more information.
Resting on the corner of 5th and Penn, residents can live in The Cultural District, yet walk 1 block to Market Square and 2 blocks to the region's most famous green space at the confluence of the rivers - Point State Park. With a convenient parking garage 50' away, a new subway station and most of the region's bus routes operating around the corner, there is no more convenient place to live. Choose from 3 unique floor plans featuring huge 6' windows, high ceilings and moveable walls for flexible loft living. One 5th Ave is a truly urban contemporary loft project from the developer Penn Avenue Renaissance. It is a unique boutique condominium because of its small size and rare features in the heart of Pittsburgh's Central Business District and inside the Cultural District's historic neighborhood. The 10-year, $250,000 tax abatement program makes these lofts almost affordable to those who want a chic loft with low expenses. 1 and 2 bedroom units range in price from $150k to $395k. For more information, visit http://one-5th.com/find-your-space/.

CONSOL Energy Center, the 18,387-seat home of the Pittsburgh Penguins, has become Pittsburgh’s newest attraction. After 2 years and $321 million, CONSOL Energy Center opened on August 18 & 19 with back to back sold out Sir Paul McCartney concerts. In addition to action-packed Penguins hockey games, the arena hosts a wide variety of events including concerts, family shows and sporting events, including the AFL Pittsburgh Power. Arena amenities include a full-service restaurant, a wide variety of food and beverage options including Primanti Bros., Nakama Sushi, Dairy Queen and Pizza Hut as well as five retail locations, a state-of-the-art scoreboard and more. CONSOL Energy Center has achieved LEED Gold certification, becoming the first NHL arena to reach that standard of sustainability.
Visit the www.consolenergycenter.com for additional information.

Otto Milk features unique 1, 2 and 3 bedroom lofts located in Pittsburgh’s Strip District. High ceilings, huge windows, rooftop decks, private terraces, two-story units, gathering areas and a fitness center are just some of the highlights. All located within walking distance of food markets, great shopping, restaurants, clubs and more. Units range from Units range from $253,000 to $1,650,000, but only if you move fast!
Visit www.ottomilkcondos.com for more information.
Currently underway, the Port Authority's North Shore Connector Project will be completed in spring 2012. This project extends the 25-mile light rail transit system 1.2 miles from the Gateway Center “T” Station, underneath Stanwix Street and the Allegheny River, to the North Shore. As part of this project two “T” stations are being constructed on the North Shore and the Gateway Center “T” Station moved and rebuilt.. When completed, the North Shore Connector will directly link the North Shore, Downtown, Station Square and South Hills employment, business, residential, entertainment and retail centers and sets the stage for the future expansion of the “T”.
Get all of your North Shore Connector updates in the Getting To & Around Town section of our Website. .

The Fountain at the confluence of the Ohio, Monongahela and Allegheny rivers is Pittsburgh’s heroic moment. It is the dramatic first image that visitors have of the city and the focal point of a vibrant network of riverfront parks. Due to decades of continuous use, flooding and electrical problems, the Fountain was in need of a total repair as part of the renovation of Point State Park. Riverlife launched the Friends of the Fountain campaign in 2009 to fund the endeavor, raising over $5 million in the process. New plans for the fountain will create a dramatic and accessible setting for day-to-day enjoyment and large-scale special events. To learn more about renovations and become a Friend of the Fountain, visit www.riverlifepgh.org.
At the SouthSide Works, a former steel mill barge dock will be converted to a riverfront park in an innovative project that straddles a railroad tunnel and overcomes a 40’ drop in elevation. The new park will provide a welcoming link to Pittsburgh’s “creative class” who live, work, and shop at the SouthSide Works, with switchback terraces that act as courtyards for American Eagle, REI, Hofbrauhaus, condominiums, and a new hotel. Click here to view a PDF of the project rendering.
For more information about Riverfront projects, contact Riverlife at www.riverlifepgh.org o r (412) 258-6636.