First look: Citizens Live at The Wylie
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Live Nation will open a 4,000-seat entertainment venue in the Lower Hill District this year, with tributes to the neighborhood's music legacy lining the walls, a rooftop lounge overlooking Downtown, an intimate listening room and more.
Driving the news: Citizens Live at the Wylie released first-look renderings and videos on Thursday from Blueprint Studio, Live Nation's in-house design team.
Here's what fans can expect from the 98,500-square-foot space near PPG Paints Arena.
The vibe: The Wylie is partnering with the Carnegie Museum of Art to feature images from its acclaimed Charles "Teenie" Harris Archive documenting life in Pittsburgh's Black communities in the early to mid-20th century.
- Photos will line the walls along the main stairway and throughout the building.
- A striking mirrored piano on the ceiling will crown the top of the stairway near the auditorium entrance, a nod to the famous mirrored piano at the former Crawford Grill in Lower Hill.
Zoom in: The Vinyl Room, a "premium fan space and listening lounge inspired by Japanese vinyl culture," will feature Asian-inspired cuisine and handcrafted cocktails.
- The venue will have floor and balcony options, flexing for seated or standing shows and hosting 80 to 110 events a year — from music to comedy acts.
- The name Citizens Live at the Wylie pays homage to the musical heritage of Wylie Avenue, where some of the biggest names in jazz played during the Hill's heyday.
What's next: Developers say construction is on track and the venue is expected to open this fall.