Loews plans luxury hotel by convention center

Zoom in: The hotel will also have a restaurant and will be attached directly to the convention center, similar to the Westin.

• It will be somewhere on Penn Avenue, reports the Pittsburgh Business Times.

Between the lines: Shapiro said the state will expedite the hotel's entry into the PA Permit Fast Track Program.

• The project still needs to clear approvals before construction can start.

State of play: New development and rehab projects continue to hit Downtown Pittsburgh.

• Arts Landing park and a revitalized Market Square opened last month.
• The office tower at 100 First Ave. is being converted into 93 units of affordable housing and set to open by mid-2026, per the Department of Community & Economic Development.
• A conversion of the Gulf Tower from offices to housing, a hotel and retail is set to break ground later this year, per DCED.

The bottom line: "I'm proud of the progress we are making together to revitalize Downtown Pittsburgh and get stuff done for Western Pennsylvania – building more housing, creating safe and fun public spaces, and attracting businesses large and small," said Shapiro in a statement.