Vision
Fifteen acres, built in phases, open to everyone.
Fifteen acres, built in phases
Esplanade transforms 15 acres of former industrial land in the Chateau neighborhood into 1.7 million square feet of homes, workplaces, dining, and public space along 1,600 feet of the Ohio River, centered on a signature observation wheel and an entertainment district called The Current.
One plan for the whole district
The master plan organizes the site around the water: the marina and public green at the center, The Wheelhouse and its 200-foot observation wheel beside The Current, apartments and condominiums along the streets behind them, and the rebuilt Heritage Trail running the full length of the riverfront. Parking, the splash park, and the amphitheater fill out the fifteen acres.
See it from aboveEverything in the plan
- 200-foot observation wheel honoring George Ferris
- Up to 600+ market-rate and affordable apartments
- Destination entertainment, vibrant street level retail and dining
- The Current, a multi-story, one-of-a-kind culinary and entertainment collective
- Dynamic outdoor amphitheater and public green
- Seasonal splash park and ice skating ribbon
- Highly curated public realm and landscape, occupying almost 40% of the site
- Improved Three Rivers Heritage Trail experience
- 1,600 linear feet of activated waterfront
- A full-service marina, including annual and visitor boat slips, a public pier, floating residences
- Experiential museum of Pittsburgh innovations
- 100 luxury riverfront condominiums
- Grocery store and everyday community-oriented retail
- Landmark hotel and event space
- Opportunities for Class A office, life sciences and research space
- Incubator kiosks for seasonal retail and local small businesses
- Public art and storytelling throughout the district
Timeline
The City Planning Commission approved the Esplanade master plan unanimously, and the Urban Redevelopment Authority approved the first phase of the Manchester-Chateau Transit Revitalization Investment District, the funding tool that reinvests new tax revenue in the district and neighboring Manchester.
Pittsburgh City Council, Pittsburgh Public Schools, and Allegheny County Council each approved the district, completing the public approvals needed to begin.
Crews raze the remaining structures, fill and grade the land, and start roads, sidewalks, and trail improvements, including converting Beaver Avenue to two way traffic.
Four buildings and the public realm between them: The Wheelhouse with its 200-foot observation wheel, a high-rise apartment building with 285 market-rate and affordable units, The Current and adjoining amphitheater, activated streetscapes with dining and retail, improved Heritage Trail, marina, and parking garage.
The riverfront opens as a first day destination for Pittsburgh, joined by a dedicated tower of 100 luxury riverfront condominiums.
Entertainment destination, landmark hotel with event space, additional parking, grocery store, and additional apartment units.
The complete 15 acre district comes online along 1,600 feet of activated waterfront, connected to Manchester and the North Side by the rebuilt Heritage Trail.
Watch it rise
Built by Piatt Companies
Esplanade is developed by Piatt Companies, a family firm founded in Western Pennsylvania in 1957 by Jack B. Piatt and now led by his son Lucas. Working from offices in downtown Pittsburgh, the company has spent nearly seventy years building office, retail, and mixed-use projects across the region, from Washington and Canonsburg to Beaver, Greensburg, and the city itself. Esplanade is the largest of them.