Pittsburgh Market Square Makeover: Get Sneak Peak Here

PITTSBURGH, PA — Get ready for a major Market Square makeover. The Pittsburgh Planning Commission on Tuesday approved a modernization plan for the Downtown Pittsburgh gathering space.

Once approved by city council, considered a mere formality, construction is slated to begin on April 1. Market Square will reopen in April 2026 just prior to the NFL Draft being held in the city, according to the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership.

Designed by renowned landscape architecture firm Field Operations, the transformation includes infrastructure improvements, upgraded pedestrian pathways, enhanced lighting, expanded public seating areas and a new central pavilion structure. Partnership officials said the modernization aims to create a more vibrant, accessible, and connected urban civic center that will serve residents, businesses, and visitors for decades to come.

The makeover is an integral part of a $600 Downtown revitalization plan outlined in October by Gov. Josh Shapiro, Mayor Ed Gainey and Allegheny County Executive Innamorato.

Last week, details were released on another key component: Arts Landing, a new $31 million Downtown civic space on Eighth Street bordering Penn Avenue and Fort Duquesne Boulevard.

Art Landing will include a one-acre green space overlooking the Allegheny River between the Andy Warhol and Rachel Carson bridges; a performance area with a bandshell near Fort Duquesne Boulevard; a garden walk; a play area for children; a flex space for sports activities such as pickleball; a visitor center on the ground floor a building the trust owns on Penn Avenue; and public restrooms.

Other components of the Downtown makeover include renovations to Point State Park: The state will invest $25 million into a series of short- and long-term projects that will improve pedestrian access to the park, update the lighting at the park’s landmark fountain, and add recreational activities to its cityside lawn. Shorter term projects on walkways and the fountain will be complete in time for the upcoming NFL Draft.

The plan also includes creating about 1,000 new apartments and a hotel in seven current office buildings.