Pittsburgh developments to watch in 2026
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Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
Pittsburgh is poised for another busy year of development, from renewed Downtown revitalization efforts to momentum generated by the city's newly opened airport terminal and this year's NFL draft.
Here's a look at the progress made in 2025 and what we're watching this year.
🎡 The Esplanade
The big picture: Developer Piatt Companies broke ground in December on a $740 million, 15-acre development in Chateau that will bring housing, shopping, entertainment, and a 180-foot Ferris wheel to a former brownfield near the Rivers Casino.
Zoom in: A decade in the making, it includes 750 new housing units and a 126-unit condo. Plans also call for an amphitheater, a 650-space public parking garage and a hotel.
By the numbers: A Transit Revitalization Investment District, or TRID, covering the Esplanade will redirect 75% of future property tax revenue to infrastructure and transportation in Chateau and nearby neighborhoods.
What's next: Early site work is underway. Phase 1, including the Ferris wheel, is slated for completion in 2028, with housing to follow by 2029.
🏙 Downtown revamp
The big picture: A 10-year, $600 million state-backed plan aims to convert vacant office towers into housing and upgrade public spaces Downtown.
Zoom in: Many of the residential projects are already in motion, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and a $3.4 million upgrade to Point State Park finished ahead of schedule late last year.
What's next: The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership is giving Market Square a facelift to improve walkability and expand outdoor dining before the NFL draft in April.
- The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is spearheading Arts Landing, a 4-acre park on Eighth Street featuring a central lawn, bandshell, pickleball courts and a welcome center — all set to open ahead of the draft.
🏥 UPMC Presbyterian Hospital Tower
The big picture: After five years of construction, UPMC Presbyterian will open its $1.3 billion, 17-story Kamin hospital tower in Oakland on Jan. 24, 2027, near its existing hospital.
Zoom in: Rising at Fifth Avenue and De Soto Street, the 636-bed tower — one of the region's largest construction projects — will anchor transplant, cardiology and neurology care.
- The project will have a 450-space garage, plus restaurants, meeting areas and other public spaces across its first four floors.
What's next: The old tower will become administrative space.
✈️ New terminal at PIT
The big picture: Pittsburgh International Airport opened its $1.7 billion landside terminal in November after four years of construction.
Zoom in: The new 811,000-square-foot terminal doubles security capacity and expands parking.
- The tram is no more. Passengers now walk 140 feet through a tunnel and cross a short bridge to the airside terminal, which features new food and retail options.
What's next: Four public outdoor terraces will open this spring. Airport officials have yet to decide the fate of the former terminal and tram.
⚡Data centers
Pittsburgh is becoming a data center hot spot, driven by AI demand, a robust recruitment push and billions in private investment.
Zoom in: Massive projects could redefine the region's economy and energy needs, despite pushback from residents.
What's next: While some projects are expected to come online or move through permitting this year, more proposals are likely to follow.
Others we're watching
Walmart plans to demolish the Monroeville Mall for redevelopment by next year, Strip District development plans are booming, and the bridge between the Squirrel Hill Tunnel and I-376's Edgewood/Swissvale exit will be replaced in July, bringing detours and traffic headaches.