The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership and Downtown Neighbors Alliance are hosting a Development Activities Meeting in collaboration with the City of Pittsburgh Department of City Planning.

Ring in 2026 at Highmark First Night Pittsburgh, Downtown’s annual arts-focused New Year’s Eve celebration presented by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. The festivities run from 6 p.m. to midnight, ending with the raising of the Future of Pittsburgh Ball and a spectacular fireworks display.

As 2025 comes to a close, we excited to share highlights from Sustainable Pittsburgh’s Policy Connection newsletter and webinar series. These discussions brought together experts, local leaders, and practitioners to explore policies, partnerships, and practical tools that support sustainability, equity, and resilience across our region—valuable information for all Downtown neighbors.

The Strip District is saying hello to new developments, and one of the biggest to come is a grocery store. Consumer Fresh Produce, with its warehouse on the corner of 21st and Railroad Street, has plans to transform into a grocery store and apartment complex.

In 2025, the Downtown Neighbors Alliance proudly rolled out welcome kits for new Golden Triangle residents, helping newcomers feel at home from day one. Sponsored by Huntington Bank, this initiative has already delivered nearly 100 welcome kits to residents through partnerships with Downtown residential buildings and property managers and we are just getting started.

2025 was a standout year for Point Park University. From record-breaking fall enrollment to growing pre-college summer programs, the university continued to strengthen its place as one of the most dynamic urban campuses in the country. A new economic impact study confirmed what many already know: Point Park plays a vital role in Downtown Pittsburgh and the region’s economy.

Downtown Pittsburgh’s biggest New Years event is back to ring in 2026– First Night is back in the Cultural District this New Years Eve! Starting at 7 PM, the 32nd Annual First Night is brought to you by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. The event will have family-friendly activities, amazing live performances, and so much more fun!

One of Pittsburgh’s most iconic properties along the Monongahela River is under new ownership as of November 21, 2025. MS Development, a Massachusetts-based firm, purchased the lot with a plan to “elevate the retail, dining and entertainment experience while creating new opportunities for office and mixed-use partners.”

Ahead of the 2026 NFL draft, Downtown Pittsburgh is investing $600 million in community development projects. Arts Landing, a 4-acre outdoor entertainment complex, is an exciting addition to these upgrades. The $31 million public park will host concerts, birthday parties, and free festivals.

The Indian Street Food ghost kitchen, Mild 2 Spicy, is relocating downtown!  Opening their brick-and-mortar storefront at 951 Liberty Ave., we are excited to welcome them to the downtown food lineup.  Mild 2 Spicy will move in where Bae Bae’s Café previously sat for the last few years, and new owner Shalin Patel is ready to make some changes.

Pittsburgh is at the forefront of the rise of AI, ranking among the top 10 cities for technology and AI development.  Courtesy of the advanced programs at the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), Pittsburgh is leading the way for the future of technology.  For example, CMU is the number one-ranked university program for AI development in the world, offering a Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence.  They are the leading institute for AI education, and their intelligent graduates are going to be on the cutting edge of this technology.

Last Week, three new small businesses officially opened their doors Downtown, marking another milestone in the steady momentum we’ve seen. As part of a walking ribbon-cutting tour hosted in partnership with community and economic development leaders, Downtown Neighbors Alliance (DNA) was proud to join in welcoming these new neighbors and celebrating the collective effort that makes openings like these possible.

Some dishes don’t need hype. They just speak for themselves. The Barbacoa Burrito at Taco Guapo is one of them.

The beef is slow-cooked to perfection, juicy, tender, and full of rich, authentic flavor 🤌 Every bite is satisfying without being heavy, and the portion is generous enough to keep you full long after the last bite. It is comfort food done right.

Located inside the Omni William Penn Hotel at 555 Grant St. downtown sits Penn Barber Co., a one-chair barber shop run by Anthony Mankoski. Opening in May 2025, Penn Barber Co. services classic barbering techniques combined with contemporary technology and hair design. Owner and haircutter Mankoski prides himself in his hair craftsmanship, with each cut “built on structure and styled for real life.”

As part of their Winter Music Series, the Pittsburgh Playhouse at Point Park University is excited to host Christmas Live with Joe Serafini! The musician and actor is best known for his role as Seb in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, but locals know him as a longtime performer with Pittsburgh’s CLO Academy.

Talia, the open Italian kitchen by Julian Vallozzi, is not only serving up great food, but the vibes in the restaurant are immaculate.  Various modern and abstract art pieces cover the walls, drawing the eye all over the room.  As of now, there are three main featured artists at Talia:  Pittsburgh locals Jeremy Raymer and Michael Lotanero, and internationally-renowned artist Banksy.

Swing into the season with the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra Holiday Show! On Friday, December 19 at 7:00 PM, the world-class jazz musicians bring the magic of the holidays to the Pittsburgh Playhouse at Point Park University.

Pittsburgh’s riverfront is about to have a whole new look as the ‘Esplanade’ was given the okay to break ground. This $740 million project would absolutely transform the bank of the Ohio river, and revitalize the area and Pittsburgh as a whole.

Pittsburgh is constantly looking– and driving– toward the future, and one way of doing that is introducing Waymo to the city. Waymo, which was founded in 2009 under a different name, has been introduced in multiple cities, and Pittsburgh is the next on its list. The self-driving car service is excited to explore the Steel City.

In July 2026, Duquesne University will have a new president. David Dausey will assume the role after serving as executive vice president and provost at Duquesne. As the university’s 14th president, Dausey has big shoes to fill.