Groundswell of investment spurred by Draft accelerates Downtown revitalization efforts as leaders eye what’s next for the Golden Triangle
PITTSBURGH, PA (April 21, 2026) – Last week, the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (PDP) led a tour with Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato, Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor, and project partners to highlight progress driven by the Vibrancy Initiative: an integrated effort representing $1.5 million in private and philanthropic investment across four strategic areas of Downtown transformation.
The tour highlighted four of these projects to demonstrate the range of retail and public art concepts that the Vibrancy Initiative is supporting:
- Moonshot Museum Lunar Simulation Lab (810 Penn Ave.) Dr. Jimyse Brown, Executive Director
- Fiore Verde (100 7th St.) Michele Winters, Business Owner
- “Worlds Of Windows Windows Shop for Window Shopping” (130 7th St.) Owen Lowery, Artist
- i-THEE (226 6th St.) Neal Lucas Hitch, Artist
The tour was followed by a public art unveiling on Thursday evening outside of the Frank & Seder building, celebrating four new ground-floor lighting installations by artists Ian Brill and Joshua Challen Ice.
A full list and map of vibrancy project initiatives can be found online at: https://downtownpittsburgh.com/vibrancy/
A Cohesive Strategy for Downtown Growth and Experience
More than 100 projects advancing economic vitality, entrepreneurship, and creative opportunities
Spearheaded by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership in collaboration with the City of Pittsburgh and Shiftworks, the Vibrancy Initiative unites a wide range of ongoing efforts under a cohesive strategic framework. The Initiative builds on PDP’s proven tools and partnerships to strengthen Downtown’s economy, enhance public spaces, and support long-term growth.
To date, more than 100 projects are complete or underway, including retail activations, storefront art, streetscape enhancements, and other public realm improvements. Collectively, these investments are increasing foot traffic, supporting small businesses, and improving how people experience Downtown every day.
“I’m so proud of the progress we’ve made through the Vibrancy Initiative. The Draft provided the adrenaline boost that accelerated this work, but it’s not the finish line,” said Jeremy Waldrup, PDP President & CEO. “Our vision for Downtown is long-term transformation – to spark investment, create opportunities for artists and entrepreneurs, and build the kind of place that people choose to come back to, whether it’s to work, play, or live.”
A More Active and Inviting Downtown Experience
New retail and studio openings reflect growing demand and growing confidence
To date, 18 new retail and studio concepts have launched or are set to open by the end of April, joining nine small businesses that opened last year with support from PDP’s Rent Abatement and Project Pop Up programs. These additions span retail and experiential concepts that diversify Downtown’s economy and enhance street-level activity.
Demand for amenities and retail is expected to continue to grow as Downtown’s residential population approaches its target of 15,000 residents over the next decade.
“I’m thrilled to join Downtown’s vibrant small business community during this exciting time for our city,” said Deryck Tines, owner of Deryck Tines Consignments, which opened earlier this month at 625 Smithfield St. “I am grateful for the support from the Vibrancy Initiative and McKnight Realty in bringing this concept to life.”
Michele Winters found a new home for her expanding business, Fiore Verde, in a large ground-floor suite at the Encore Apartments building. Fiore Verde—Italian for “Green Flower”—is a lifestyle boutique and design studio offering furniture, décor, and accessories through a curated shopping experience.
“We bring together a thoughtful collection designed to help customers create beautiful, cohesive spaces,” said Winters. “You can shop with us in-store or online at fioreverde.design, with new arrivals added regularly.”
From Vacant Storefronts to Engaging Visual Experiences
Artists transform underutilized spaces into platforms for creativity and engagement
Through partnerships with local artists and cultural organizations, the Vibrancy Initiative has supported more than 35 ground-level installations, including artist collaborations, interior installations, and vinyl window activations. These projects activate vacant storefronts, enhance the pedestrian experience, and showcase Pittsburgh’s creative talent.
“For Shiftworks, this project is about more than activation. It’s about making sure Pittsburgh’s stories are being told by the people who live, work, and create here. This collaboration created paid opportunities for 21 Pittsburgh Creative Corps artists to transform vacant Downtown storefronts during the 2026 NFL Draft,” said Sallyann Kluz, Executive Director of Shiftworks Community + Public Arts. “We see this as a proof of concept for a larger approach to enhancing public spaces. With seed funding from the City of Pittsburgh through the American Rescue Plan Act, site coordination through the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, and the vision of our local artists, we can turn underused spaces into platforms for creativity, welcome, and regional storytelling on a national stage.”
“When I received the artist brief, I fell in love with their theme of ‘Future Storefronts,’ said Owen Lowery, the artist behind the Worlds of Windows: Windows Shop for Window Shopping installation at the Century Building (130 7th St.). “A faux window shop with windows full of windowed views into other worlds allows for so much discovery & silliness through sight, sound, movement, & interaction, while encouraging curiosity. This was really a great mish-mash of ideation with the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership.”
“We were inspired by the Future Storefronts brief and the opportunity to reimagine the storefront as a gallery and, just as importantly, to reconceive the streetfront as a place of observation and occupation rather than simply a means of getting from one place to another,” said Neal Lucas Hitch, artist and co-founder of i/thee. Their color-changing window display, which was inspired by the four seasons, is now located at 226 Sixth St. “We are excited by the endeavor at large—beyond our own work—to not just revitalize downtown, but to create a new, thriving urban experience.
Another installation, Pittsburgh in Film by the PGH Film Office, spans the street-facing windows of LiveWell Apartments (550 Wood St.), highlighting the city’s legacy in film and television.
“This initiative provides an opportunity to showcase the region’s importance to the entertainment industry while inviting residents and visitors alike to experience Downtown through a cinematic lens,” said Dawn Keezer, Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Film Office. “We are grateful to IATSE Local 489, Victrix LLC, and our valued partners for helping bring this vision to life. We hope it inspires a renewed appreciation for the Pittsburgh region and its role in storytelling on a global stage.”
Inspiring Future Investment Across Downtown
Property owners see value in activation, art, and street-level enhancements
The buildings hosting pop-up businesses and installations are also benefiting from increased visibility and neighborhood vitality.
“It has been a privilege collaborating with Fred Rogers Productions and the Children’s Museum to bring these dynamic art projects to life,” said Brandi Welsch, Sales & Leasing Associate for Massaro Properties, which manages 421 Seventh Avenue, where two new window displays were installed in the past month. “These types of investments are more important than ever, especially as Downtown’s residential population continues to grow. Massaro Properties is excited about the value these installations bring to the property and plans to build upon them as we commit to further enhancing Downtown’s reputation as a place to live, work, and play.”
Andrew Reichert, CEO of Birgo Capital, added:
“We’re proud to welcome Moonshot Museum’s Lunar Simulation Lab to [810 Penn Avenue]. This activation brings real energy to the property and reflects the creativity, momentum, and broader potential of Downtown Pittsburgh.”
In addition to retail and public art, the Vibrancy Initiative supports essential public realm improvements, including sidewalk repairs, upgraded street lighting, and expanded outdoor dining. To date, 56 of these public realm projects have been completed, contributing to a safer, more welcoming, and more vibrant Downtown for residents, workers, and visitors.
The Vibrancy Initiative is made possible with the generous support of the following partners:
- Benter Foundation
- Buhl Foundation
- Burke Family Foundation
- Colcom Foundation
- Eden Hall Foundation
- The Heinz Endowments
- Hillman Foundation
- Urban Redevelopment Authority.
Additional thanks to the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development’s Neighborhood Assistance Program, with our partners from Tri State Capital Bank, KeyBank, Huntington Bank, Duquesne Light Company, UPMC Health Plan, Dollar Bank, Mascaro Construction Company, Comcast, FNB, Frank B. Fuhrer Wholesale, and Flyspace Productions.