Urban Renaissance in East Liberty

DESIGN BRIEF | March 2019

ON THE BOARDS

East Liberty
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

East Liberty, five miles east of downtown Pittsburgh, was Pennsylvania’s third‑largest shopping district in the 1940s and 1950s and popularly referred to as the “Second Downtown.” Emerging from the decline of the 1970s, it is quickly establishing its position as the center of technology, culture, and lifestyle in Pittsburgh. MV+A is fortunate to play a part in this emergence by planning and designing approximately 10 acres in a multiphase approach. The mixed-use nature of the overall master plan aims to create a neighborhood reminiscent of the rich urban tapestry historically prevalent in East Liberty.

We are happy to announce that Phase I recently achieved ‘Final Land Development Plan’ approvals from the City of Pittsburgh. Phase I focuses development along the intersection of Penn Avenue and Euclid Avenue. The introduction of South Saint Clair Street and Eva Street on private property helps break down the development area into urban sized blocks. Phase I also reoriented an existing interior landlocked public park to daylight along Euclid Avenue and Eva Street. Programmatically, Phase I is anchored at the street level by a 50,000 SF grocer, providing activation for much of the street level. Eight levels of office, totaling approximately 250,000 SF, spread out atop the grocer. Together, this density provides a critical mass to help anchor and support retail activity, both old and new, in the neighborhood.

The plan and orientation of the office program allows it to have wide ranging views of the neighborhood. The stepped massing provides opportunities for outdoor terraces at many levels, allowing engagement with the outdoors on pleasant days. Designed to maximize glare-free northern light, Phase I incorporates best practices in sustainable design and aims to provide class A office space seldom seen outside of downtown Pittsburgh.

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