Pittsburgh:
Station Square

The Station Square complex is located on West Carson Street on the south shore of the Monongahela River in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This 52-acre river front complex contains over 70 retail shops, specialty stores, and restaurants. In addition, Station Square includes the only river front hotel in Pittsburgh, the landing for a fleet of excursion boats, an outdoor museum of artifacts, trolleys and railway cars, an outdoor amphitheater, and a riverwalk.


The entire 52-acre site, located between the Smithfield Street Bridge and the Fort Pitt Bridge, was formerly owned by the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad. The east section of the Station Square complex, west of the Smithfield Bridge, contains the former Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad headquarters. This seven-story historic building was constructed in the late 1800s. Adjoining the former headquarters to the west are two large warehouse buildings. These buildings, also constructed in the late 1800s, were once utilized by Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad for train and freight storage. By the 1960s, the need for freight and passenger train service had declined, and the property became available for development.

In the late 1970s, the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation (PHLF) purchased the 52-acre site. According to Mr. Arthur Ziegler of the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation, the intent was to purchase the property and create an upscale mixed-use center in a predominantly industrial/blue-collar area, and to preserve the existing historic structures.1 PHLF wanted to redevelop this prime river front property so that residents, not industry, could access and enjoy the river front. Utilizing a federal grant for infrastructure improvements and low interest government loans, the former railroad headquarters building (referred to as the Landmarks Building) was restored and now contains the Grand Concourse Restaurant and premier office space.


The two freight buildings were also renovated and now contain over 70 retail shops, specialty shops, and restaurants. These buildings have become the only retail entertainment destination in Pittsburgh on the National Register of Historic Sites.2 Mr. Ziegler stated that the project has been very effective in promoting redevelopment and utilizing profits for the historic preservation program.1 In 1994, Station Square was purchased by Forest City Enterprises, Inc.

Station Square, with estimated customer traffic at 2.5 million per year, has been transformed from an abandoned railroad yard to Pittsburgh’s number one tourist destination.2 Station Square’s popularity, access, visibility, and available land has resulted in plans for future development. Those plans may include the construction of residential housing, a waterfront park, a riverboat casino, hotels, a marina, and the restoration of vacant buildings.3 Visit the Station Square web site at www.stationsquare.com.

1 Interview with Arthur Ziegler, Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation. Interviewed by Timothy Zacharias. March 3, 1999.

2 Interview with Diane Greco, Forest City Enterprises, Inc. Interviewed by Timothy Zacharias. March 3, 1999.

3 Elliott, Suzanne. "Retailers like gambling aspect of ‘new’ Station Square." Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) Business Times and Journal. June 20, 1994.

Page Author: Tim Zacharias

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