Here’s What to Know About the Esplanade Project That Just Broke Ground on Pittsburgh’s North Side
The multi-use development will include condos, retail space, a splash park and its signature attraction — a giant Ferris wheel.
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The start of a major change for Pittsburgh’s North Side has begun with the groundbreaking of the $740 million Esplanade project.
Located on 15 acres in the Chateau neighborhood, the multi-use development, helmed by Piatt Companies, has been in the works for nine years and is expected to contain 126 riverfront condos, a splash park that becomes an ice-skating rink in the colder months and its signature attraction — a giant, 200-foot-tall Ferris wheel.
“The Esplanade marks the beginning of a transformative investment made possible through years of disciplined planning, sustained effort and a level of collaboration that reflects true public partnership,” Piatt CEO Lucas Piatt said in a statement. “Advancing a project of this magnitude requires coordination across government, private industry, labor and community stakeholders — each contributing to a shared vision for growth, opportunity, and long-term value.”
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The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Gov. Josh Shapiro, who called Esplanade a “game changer for the North Side.”
Shapiro was joined at the ceremony by County Executive Sara Innamorato, Mayor Ed Gainey, Mayor-Elect Corey O’Connor and City Council President Daniel Lavelle as well as other elected officials, members of community organizations and trade leaders.
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According to Piatt Companies, an economic analysis of Esplanade by The Economy League of Greater Pittsburgh projects that the development will support 9,300 jobs during construction, bring 4,500 permanent jobs to the area and contribute $547.7 million to the regional economy. It also could generate $1.5 billion in additional spending locally.
Here’s a look at what else the project is expected to include:
- Up to 750 rental apartments, including affordable units for families making 80% of the area’s median income and luxury-end units
- A Ferris wheel with climate-controlled cabs and experiential entertainment options
- 126 riverfront condominiums
- 160,000 square feet of retail
- 120,000 square foot innovation workspace
- A splash park that becomes an ice skating ribbon in colder months
- Upgrades to the Three Rivers Heritage Trail
- A 225-unit hotel
- Marina with house boats, leased and day slips, marine safety facility and public pier
- The Current: a dining culinary hub with a riverside amphitheater
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The project will be done in phases, with Mascaro Construction starting work to prepare the site for construction. The next phase will include the Ferris wheel, apartments, retail, parking garage and the Current. Construction is expected to begin on that phase in 2026 and anticipated to be open in 2028. The condominium building will be built shortly after those buildings.
The final phase, anticipated to open in 2029, will include additional housing, potential innovation workspace, a hotel, and a specialty entertainment destination.
