Pittsburgh is in its glow up era. The city is getting millions of dollars in public and private investment ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft for areas like Market Square, Point State Park, and the Cultural District. But a bunch of other museums and attractions are seeing (seemingly unrelated) boosts, too. Here’s a rundown of projects in progress.
🏈 To Be Completed Before the NFL Draft
The Cultural District
A four-acre plot along 8th Street is being transformed into Arts Landing, a space for playing and relaxing with stunning views of the Allegheny River. The $31 million project will include pickleball courts, a bandshell, a garden walk, and an area for pop-up events. Arts Landing will be the permanent home for the annual Three Rivers Arts Festival.
Get a look at the new perimeter around Market Square. (Megan Harris / City Cast Pittsburgh)
Market Square
The historic shopping, dining, and event hub Downtown is being modernized with a $15 million refresh. Look forward to upgraded pedestrian paths, better lighting, more public seating, and a new central pavilion.
Point State Park
The 36-acre park and National Historic Landmark are undergoing a $3.4 million revamp. Upgrades include walkways repairs, better fountain lighting, fresh landscaping, and more.
✨ More Glow Ups at Museums and Attractions
The “Carnegie Science Center” sign has already been replaced. (Francesca Dabecco / City Cast Pittsburgh)
Kamin Science Center
After receiving a $65 million gift from Daniel G. and Carole L. Kamin, the Carnegie Science Center is rebranding and relaunching Sept. 13 with a special day of free events. Look for giveaways, educational movies, Buhl Planetarium shows, a special Miniature Railroad & Village scavenger hunt, a sneak peek at future exhibits, and more.
Take a look at renderings of the new and improved Heinz History Center. (Francesca Dabecco / City Cast Pittsburgh)
Heinz History Center
Four buildings along Penn Avenue are coming down to add 92,000 square feet to the Heinz History Center by January 2028. Improvements include a new theater, more room for exhibits, a much larger entry space and outdoor plaza, and additional classrooms and offices.
The Heinz History Center also got an $11.5 million gift from the Kamin family, which will allow the museum to offer free admission for kids year-round, starting in September!
The Frick is currently offering two main tours, one centering preservation and another the explosive events of 1892. (Courtesy of The Frick)
The Frick Museum & Gardens
The Frick team has been working on a multi-phase, $10 million preservation of Clayton, the historic home of local industrialist Henry Clay Frick, which was recently added to the National Register of Historic Places. If you visit for a tour, you’ll notice scaffolding around the grand home as crews remove old paint and restore the exterior, including adding a new color. Updates have also been made to improve accessibility and safety across the grounds.
Zoo renovations include a new entrance and ticketing space. (Sophia Lo / City Cast Pittsburgh)
Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium
Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium is working on its 20-year masterplan and recently got a $10 million anonymous grant that’ll go toward new zoo facilities and programs. An expanded giraffe barn will allow for winter viewing, plus VIP experiences such as “walking along an elevated catwalk and feeding the giraffes eye-to-eye.” The new Exhibition Indonesia exhibit — a multilevel habitat with waterfalls, pools, and off-season viewing area — will feature orangutans, siamangs, and Malaysian tapirs. Construction begins in late 2025.
The new venue will be part of The Warhol museum’s 10-year Pop District initiative to revamp this area of the North Side. (Megan Harris / City Cast Pittsburgh)
The Andy Warhol Museum
The Warhol has plans for a three-story concert venue and event space on East General Robinson Street called the Factory Creative Arts Center. The building design, with big glass windows and metal cladding, is inspired by Warhol’s famous Factory studios in Manhattan. The estimated cost hasn’t been released yet.
The women’s team, the Riveters, would also benefit from a new-and-improved space. (Francesca Dabecco / City Cast Pittsburgh)
Highmark Stadium
The 5,000-seat venue along the Monongahela River will increase its capacity to 15,000 by 2028 — giving our men's soccer team, the Riverhounds, a chance to join the upcoming Division One United Soccer League. The $125-150 million project will also include a club with a banquet space, suites, and more capacity to host concerts and other events.
