A pair of historic commercial and manufacturing buildings in Downtown Pittsburgh will be transformed into mixed-income housing, part of a broader effort to revitalize the Golden Triangle and attract new residents and businesses.
Boston-based Beacon Communities on Tuesday announced the start of construction at 901-903 Liberty Ave., two buildings that will be converted into one structure with 50 new apartments.
The 10-story, 52,000-square-foot apartment complex will cater to low-income households making between 20% and 80% of the area median income. It will offer a variety of studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments, the developer said in a news release.
The buildings were constructed in the 1800s. Beacon intends to preserve several architectural features — like large bay windows and exposed brick — to reflect the historic character.
Dara Kovel, CEO of Beacon, said the project “represents another important step in bringing life to Downtown Pittsburgh while ensuring housing affordability remains part of the city’s future.”
A broader $600 million effort to revitalize Downtown is underway. That initiative focuses on converting unused buildings — especially the offices that saw demand decline since the pandemic — into mixed-income housing. Also included are upgrades to Market Square and Point State Park and the creation of a new outdoor civic center dubbed Arts Landing.
“Downtown is the heart of our region, and revitalization means we have to work together to create not just opportunities for businesses but housing for everyone,” Mayor Corey O’Connor said.
Beacon’s residential conversion project in the heart of the Cultural District will leverage federal historic tax credits and low-income housing tax credits from the commonwealth. It received funding from a variety of public and private sources, including the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County, which invested $750,000. The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh is providing $2.2 million in gap financing and 22 affordable housing vouchers.
“The next iteration of Downtown Pittsburgh will include upgraded public spaces and a significant increase in the number of housing units,” Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato said in a statement. “As this project demonstrates, the public has a key role to play as a catalytic investor in making Downtown a neighborhood where everyone feels welcomed and everyone can call home.”
Beacon expects to residents to begin moving in next year.