Market Square Modernization Project Reaches Halfway Mark; Construction Shifts to Southern Side by November 10

Community Block Party in Market Square Set for Saturday, November 8

PITTSBURGH (November 5, 2025) – Following last week’s Market Square Beam Signing Ceremony, which marked the halfway milestone in the $15 million Market Square Modernization Project, the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (PDP) today announced the next major construction phase: the transition from the north to the south side of the Square.

The shift will begins this week and be completed by Monday, November 10, when vehicle traffic will fully transition to the newly reopened north side of the Square.

To commemorate the changeover, the PDP and Creatives Drink will host the Market Street Block Party on Saturday, November 8, celebrating the reopening of the north side and offering the public a first look at Market Square’s refreshed, pedestrian-friendly design. The event will feature live music and special promotions from Market Square restaurants and retailers. (More information found here)

“The north side reopening offers a glimpse of what’s to come — a more open, greener, safer and more welcoming Market Square,” said Jeremy Waldrup, President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership. “Saturday’s Block Party is our way of celebrating this progress together.”

Vehicular Traffic Pattern and Access Changes
As crews move to the south side:

• Vehicular access through the south side will close, with drivers rerouted to the north corridor of the Square.
• Pedestrian access will remain open on all sides, with clear wayfinding signage to guide visitors to restaurants and shops.
• All Market Square businesses remain open and accessible throughout construction.

A map of the new traffic configuration is available in the attached release.

North Side Progress

The completed north side of Market Square offers the first look at the project’s new shared streetscape, blending sidewalks and roadways into a single, curb-less surface designed to prioritize pedestrians and slow vehicle traffic. The space features new furnishings, expanded tree pits with plantings, precast pavers with granite curbs and terrazzo, carefully matched to the original materials and detailing, to celebrate the Square’s legacy.

Infrastructure upgrades beneath the surface include upgraded electrical and water systems, new stormwater management features, enhanced irrigation to support the Square’s expanding tree canopy and plantings, and improved lighting creating a welcoming and safe evening experience. The anchor pavilion, a steel-and-glass structure inspired by the historic market stalls that once defined the Square, continues to take shape, with structural caissons and foundational elements complete. 

Enhancing the Experience

The updated Market Square will also feature new outdoor dining furniture, planters, awnings and umbrellas that will evoke a European-style piazza, significantly expanding the amount of outdoor dining around the Square. Merchant and property owners are working with the PDP and local architecture firm LGA to design outdoor dining spaces that allow each restaurant to express a unique feel while still having a common design thread that weaves amongst them all and enhances the brand and atmosphere of the Square.  Ensuring Market Square continues to be one of the region’s premier dining destinations.  

Merchant Support and Community Engagement

Since construction began, the PDP has provided a two-part assistance package to help Market Square businesses navigate the temporary disruption. This includes financial grants and marketing and promotional initiatives. To date, 28 grants have been given to merchants affected by the loss of event-related revenue through the Event Loss Mitigation Program. These efforts have helped sustain foot traffic, boost visibility and maintain a sense of connection to the transformation.

Looking Ahead

When complete in April 2026, the reimagined Market Square will feature improved lighting, expanded greenery, more flexible event spaces, and the new pavilion designed for markets, performances, and community gatherings. The project exemplifies the power of public-private collaboration and marks a defining investment in Downtown Pittsburgh’s future.

Funding for the modernization of Market Square is generously provided by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, BNY, Buchanan Ingersoll Rooney, Dollar Bank, Federated Hermes, Highmark, K&L Gates, Pitt Ohio, PNC, PPG, Reed Smith and the Jewish Healthcare Foundation, with additional support from the Benter Foundation, Colcom Foundation and the Eden Hall Foundation. 

For more information on the Market Square Modernization, visit DowntownPittsburgh.com/MarketSquareUpdates.