Perspectives: Summer Edition

A message from our President & CEO

A City on the Rise: At Home or Abroad, Downtown Pittsburgh is Leading the Way

There’s nothing quite like summer in our city. Over the past few months, Downtown has come alive — from vibrant events and waterfront views to bustling sidewalks and outdoor dining. And the season isn’t over yet. 

Transformation is at the heart of our 2025–2028 Strategic Vision, and this summer has embodied that spirit. It’s a time for bold ideas, shared experiences, and building community. In this special edition of Perspectives, I’m reflecting on recent milestones that are shaping our future — both locally and globally — and offering a preview of what’s to come.

Read the full message

Strategy in Action

Working towards our Strategic Vision is a year-round effort. Here are some of the highlights from this past month.

Core

PDP partners with Riverlife

Starting in June, PDP’s On-Street Services Team officially “kicked off a new partnership with Riverlife as part of UpKeep, a brand new initiative focused on the ongoing care and maintenance of Pittsburgh’s riverfronts.”The Team is supporting trash and litter removal efforts, as well as providing powerwashing along the Allegheny Riverfront Park, Monongahela Wharf and 11th St. Additionally, the Team provided training to other Riverlife partners on using powerwashing equipment and gators, further expanding their capabilities and reach. The partnership will continue throughout year, supporting Riverlife in their mission to build a clean and thriving riverfront for every season.

Highlights

On-Street Services: Latest Impact Metrics

Our on-street services work around the clock to keep Downtown clean, safe and welcoming. Here are a few recent highlights:

Volunteer highlights: July

Thanks to the PDP’s new Volunteer Coordinator Bree Pryor, our volunteer program has been making a big impact this summer!

• 40 volunteers
• 122.5 total hours
• 300 Block Third Ave BIG Cleanup
• Weeded around Gateway T Station (Stanwix & Penn) with assistance from Ryan Financials
• 2 blocks weeded on Ft. Duquesne Blvd.

Want to get involved?

Sign up here to schedule your next volunteer outing. Questions? Email Bree!

Activation

Summer’s not over yet

Farmers Markets, Yoga in the Square, Bingo, Trivia, Paint & Sip…and so much more! The PDP is bringing summer fun to Mellon Square, PPG Plaza, Steel Plaza, and other popular spots in Downtown with daily programming and events through September.

Here’s what’s coming up.

Downtown Placemaking

With support from Citizens, the PDP launched the Downtown Placemaking Grant to encourage Pittsburghers to utilize and program our public spaces through community-focused events and activations. This grant opportunity is open to organizations and individuals who are passionate about Downtown Pittsburgh and creative events that enrich our community.

Steel in the City | Through Aug 31

Mellon Square | Various Dates & Times
Join Steel City Arts Initiative in beautiful Mellon Square and be part of a vibrant musical experience that celebrates community and the joy of making music together. Learn more.

Pupsburgh | Aug 20 & Sept 17

Mellon Square | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Enjoy a free outdoor event featuring food trucks, live music, and local vendors with all the pet-approved resources you need. Local shelters will be on-site with adoption-ready pups looking for a forever home. Learn more.

Building Bridges Day | Aug 23

6th St. Bridge | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Join a vibrant, citywide celebration that promotes unity, inclusion, creativity, and connection. Featuring interactive mural painting, performances, vendors, community dialogues, and more. Learn more.

Illuminate | Aug 27

Frankie Pace Park | 5:30 – 9 p.m.
Join us for an unforgettable evening of theatrical fashion, where every outfit, every accessory, and every detail serves as a canvas for self-expression! Get tickets and learn more.

Transformation

State of Downtown Pittsburgh: Key Takeaways

On Tuesday, August 5th, we hosted our third State of Downtown Pittsburgh event of the year. We were joined by guest panelists from LGA Partners and Meyer, Unkovic & Scott – two current Downtown office tenants – to discuss trends and trajectory of the downtown office market. We honed in on three key takeaways:

• The Downtown office market is trending as predicted: The rise in office vacancy reflects structural shifts, not a temporary downturn.
• Reinvestment and adaptive reuse are critical: Our path to stabilization is on track with national patterns and the speed of our stabilization will be dictated by our swift response.
• Sector focus and amenity offerings matter: Understanding which industries are most committed to Downtown — and aligning our strategies to support them — is essential.

Download the Q3 report or watch a recording of the session here: State of Downtown Pittsburgh

If you are a commercial tenant, broker, or property owner – we’re here to support you. Whether you’re thinking of staying in Downtown, recruiting non-traditional office space, or interested in office-to-residential conversion, we want to help answer any questions you have or address concerns. Get in touch.

Business updates

Brett James Salon Now on 6th Street

For over 20 years, Brett James Salon Pittsburgh has been a staple in the Downtown small business community, and they’re now in a convenient new location on 6th Street! Check out their gorgeous ground-floor space at 143 6th St – learn more.

Gatesman extends lease at Four Gateway Center

One of Pittsburgh’s biggest advertising agencies has extended its existing office lease at Four Gateway Center for another three years, taking it into 2031. On their decision to stay in their Downtown office, founder and CEO John Gatesman told the Pittsburgh Business Times: “Four Gateway has been a great home for us. It was originally built to our custom specs and our team and clients love it. It also still gives us a strong presence in the heart of the city, it’s easily accessible to transportation, great restaurants and entertainment and we ultimately saw no reason to leave. It’s the right move for our people and for our agency.”

Congratulations to Gatesman on this recent development and their outstanding commitment to Downtown. Read the full article in the PBT here.

New in ‘tahn: Tandoori Tales opens on Smithfield Street

A delicious new fast-casual concept has arrived at 400 Smithfield Street! Tandoori Tales celebrated its highly anticipated opening in Downtown at the end of July, adding another vibrant option for office-goers, students, visitors, and residents. The menu features authentic Indian favorites with customizable ‘build-your-own’ items, making it perfect for quick bite or on-the-go.

Order online via Doordash or stop by between 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Coming soon: Butcher in the Rye returns to 6th Street

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The eatery from the Richard DeShantz Restaurant Group is making a comeback. Closed since December 2020 due to the pandemic, with a few pop-up bar concepts in between, Butcher and the Rye has announced that it will be returning to 212 6th Street “soon”.