Real Estate Development

The late H.J. "Jack" Heinz had a vision for a dynamic downtown, flourishing year round with activity and millions of theatergoers, arts enthusiasts, employees, tourists, students and residents. Over the past two decades, The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has steadily changed the face of downtown by building arts venues, making investing as a catalyst for private investment and restoring historic properties with a high standard of aesthetic design and quality. Among the 1.2 million square feet of property the Trust manages are now close to two dozen, and counting, world-class theaters and small, unique spaces. These venues are integral to the economic and cultural growth of Pittsburgh's Cultural District.

With the infrastructure firmly in place, the spotlight now shines on residential living in the Cultural District. The Encore on Seventh by Lincoln Property at the corner of Seventh Street and Fort Duquesne Boulevard opened in 2006 as the first new high rise residential project in the last thirty five years in Downtown Pittsburgh 2006. The building provides spectacular riverfront and city views and is a significant precursor of great new residential projects and public realm improvements.

In June 2005, delegates of Shaping the Vision, a forum hosted by The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, gathered to brainstorm the initial steps for the Trust's next major project-the Cultural District Riverfront Development. Dozens of leaders in the fields of architecture, urban planning and redevelopment from around the globe explored potential concepts for the prime real estate bordered by Penn Avenue and Fort Duquesne Boulevard, between Seventh and Ninth Streets.

The Real Estate Development Department in collaboration with the Education and Community Engagement Department, Theater Operations, and Institutional Development is also working towards the completion of a new Education Center and multiuse space at 805-809 Liberty Avenue.

Other Initiatives Include:

• Collaboration on construction of the Creative and Performing Arts High School of the City of Pittsburgh
• Initializing residential developments throughout the Cultural District
• Supporting new hotel developments, including the Renaissance Hotel and the Courtyard by Marriott
• Constructing and maintaining important public realm improvements
• Supporting several new storefront arts projects
• Constructing and supporting new parking facilities
• Supporting new retail efforts, including numerous new restaurants

For more information on any of the projects please contact Rebecca J. White, Director of Real Estate Development at 412-471-5198 or rwhite@pgharts.org.