Pittsburgh Cultural Trust hosts groundbreaking at Arts Landing
Construction of Arts Landing, a new four-acre outdoor civic space in Downtown Pittsburgh, has begun.
Operated by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, the area is formerly known as the Backyard, located at Eighth Street and Penn Avenue in the Cultural District. It is being transformed into an expansive area to host festivals and performances, exhibit public art and offer recreation and relaxation.
Local officials gathered for a groundbreaking on Tuesday.
“It’s a momentous day in the Cultural District,” said Kendra Whitlock Ingram, president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, in a statement. “We’re grateful to the civic leaders and project partners whose generosity and collaboration helped us reach this milestone.”
A soft opening is expected in April 2026 in time for Pittsburgh to host the NFL Draft. A grand opening is slated for June 2026 for the annual Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival (the musical lineup for this year’s festival in the Strip District was announced Monday).
In the view of the Cultural Trust, Arts Landing is one of the most transformative projects in the Cultural District’s history.
The $31 million outdoor destination is part of the Downtown Revitalization Vision announced in 2024 by the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, Allegheny County, City of Pittsburgh, Urban Redevelopment Authority and Gov. Josh Shapiro. It’s a 10-year, $600 million plan to rejuvenate Downtown Pittsburgh.
The heart of Arts Landing is a one-acre great lawn. There will be a bandshell in the northwest corner near Fort Duquesne Boulevard and Seventh Street, which will have a canopy to protect performers.
The northeast corner of the lawn, near Fort Duquesne Boulevard and Ninth Street, will be an installation site for future public art commissioned by the Cultural Trust. Installations are expected to be temporary during the first few years.
There will be a pedestrian-friendly garden walk, a play area, a variety of seating options, picnic tables, games, planters and overhead lighting. Arts Landing will have three pickleball courts and a small running track.
The space will be home to various plant species, including nearly 100 trees and a wide variety of native grasses, shrubs and plants.
The Cultural Trust is partnering with landscape architect Field Operations and Larson Design Group for engineering. Mascaro Construction Co. is the construction manager and VVA - Drees & Sommer is the project manager.
Not too far away, Pittsburgh’s Allegheny Riverfront Park is also getting a new look. The $5.4 million rehabilitation effort is a collaboration between the nonprofit Riverlife, the City of Pittsburgh — which owns and manages Allegheny Riverfront Park — and the Cultural Trust.
Details: TrustArts.org/ArtsLanding
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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