PROMISES MADE, PROMISES KEPT: Shapiro Administration Breaks Ground on Affordable Housing Projects as Part of Downtown Pittsburgh Revitalization Plan

The Beacon Communities projects announced last week will add 327 housing units in the City – and as part of the Governor’s Downtown Pittsburgh Revitalization plan, the Commonwealth and its partners have broken ground so far on 608 new housing units in Downtown Pittsburgh.

Governor Josh Shapiro’s historic 10-year plan to revitalize Downtown Pittsburgh brought together the city’s leadership and various industries, local government, corporate leaders, and nonprofits to improve and revitalize the city’s downtown as a thriving center for economic growth, culture, and industry.

Pittsburgh, PA – Today, the Shapiro Administration announced significant progress on the Governor’s 10-year plan to revitalize Downtown Pittsburgh – celebrating the completion of multiple housing projects from Beacon Communities to add 327 new housing units to the City.

Governor Josh Shapiro’s 10-year plan to revitalize Downtown Pittsburgh focuses on building more housing, revitalizing public spaces, and improving safety, cleanliness, and affordability downtown. The Governor’s plan pledged to add or preserve nearly 1,000 residential units in Pittsburgh’s downtown core – with a third of those units being affordable for residents with low-to-moderate income. The Commonwealth and its partners have broken ground so far on at least 608 new housing units in Downtown Pittsburgh.

“Two years ago, my Administration brought together leaders from the private and public sector to pull together a plan to revitalize Downtown Pittsburgh and turn this neighborhood into a thriving center for innovation, opportunity, and culture – and we’re delivering on those promises,” said Governor Josh Shapiro. “I’m proud of the progress we’ve already made, breaking ground on hundreds of new housing units, improving public safety, creating new public spaces like Arts Landing, and completing renovations at Point State Park. We’re not done yet – and we’re going to continue to build more affordable housing and get stuff done in Downtown Pittsburgh for years to come.”

This week, Shapiro Administration officials helped cut the ribbon on Beacon Communities’ housing project at The Standard on Fifth, located along Fifth Avenue in Uptown Pittsburgh. The housing project will add 51 housing units, with 40 reserved for affordable housing for households with incomes that are 60 percent of the Area Median Income or below.

The Shapiro Administration also helped celebrate the progress of three additional Beacon Communities projects last week:

• Scholar House, originally dating back to the early 1900s, 120 Cecil Place is a decommissioned steam plant featuring two connected industrial structures undergoing full rehabilitation into a 13-story redevelopment with 97 high-quality, affordable apartments while respecting historic character and modernizing the exterior and building systems. In partnership with Pittsburgh Scholar House, 49 homes will be reserved for single parents pursuing higher education. Construction is set to begin in fall 2026.
• First and Market, located on First Avenue, provides 93 affordable and accessible senior housing units to Pittsburgh’s downtown. The housing project includes sustainable building practices and proximity to public transit, healthcare, and other downtown amenities. Construction broke ground at First and Market in January 2025 and is expected to be completed this year.
• The May Building, located at 111 Fifth Avenue, offers 86 high-rise apartments – 66 of which will be income restricted – providing affordable, centrally located apartments downtown. Construction began at The May Building in December 2025.

As part of the Downtown Pittsburgh Revitalization Plan, construction also continues on the conversion of the Smithfield Lofts, The Porter, and 933 Penn Avenue. Developers expect to break ground soon on Gulf Tower. The YWCA Building project is currently being restructured by state and local partners.

“Over the last five years, Beacon Communities has made a deep and deliberate investment in redeveloping Pittsburgh’s downtown core.” said Dara Kovel, CEO, Beacon Communities. “With nine properties established or in active development in downtown Pittsburgh, Beacon has created more than 400 homes for a variety of incomes, needs, ages, and career paths. The projects we celebrated this week would not have been possible without the investment from Gov. Shapiro’s Downtown Initiative. We are grateful for the administration’s commitment to the affordability and growth in the City of Pittsburgh.”

Earlier this year, Governor Shapiro celebrated the revitalized Arts Landing Park, the reopening of Downtown Market Square, and the partial re-opening of Point State Park, a major milestone made possible by Governor Shapiro’s Downtown Pittsburgh revitalization plan.

Governor Shapiro and Pittsburgh officials understand that public safety, continued business growth, and maintaining a cultural arts scene are important to the future of the city. The revitalization plan increases funding for street cleaning and supports increased law enforcement for major spots and social events. It also creates and maintains community spaces and affordable housing projects across the city because Governor Shapiro knows that access to safe, clean, affordable public amenities and housing often is a barrier to attracting new residents to the Commonwealth.

 Pittsburgh’s 10-year revitalization plan and the full list of projects and Commonwealth investments is available online.

Learn more about the Shapiro Administration’s efforts to support Pennsylvania’s workers and businesses and spur the economy, to build a stronger, more competitive economy for all Pennsylvanians.

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