Theaters, restaurants and nightlife in Pittsburgh's Golden Triangle
Swooping from the parallel, golden arcs of the Three Sisters bridges to the silvery, high-shine curve of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, the Cultural District is painted with some of the most inspired architecture in the Steel City’s skyline. Industrial-era Pittsburgh giants lend their names to grandly appointed institutions that line Penn and Liberty avenues, the philanthropic legacy of Henry J. Heinz's ketchup empire and Andrew Carnegie's stronghold on Western Pennsylvania steel made manifest in the arts organizations that have endured to Pittsburgh's post-industrial present. “The Cultural District has been the key to Pittsburgh’s revitalization after the collapse of the steel industry,” says David Onufer, president of the Realtors Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh. “It harnesses the culture of the city with so many great theaters and a world-class symphony.” The liveliest, Allegheny River-hugging leg of the Golden Triangle, the Cultural District is downtown Pittsburgh's multi-hued and ever-changing center for the arts, bringing new experiences to residents and visitors with every new headliner spelled on a marquee and every band-soundtracked street festival.
The Cultural District has a beautiful skyline.
A resident walks by the Benedum Center in the Cultural District.
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Shopping, dining and entertainment along Penn and Liberty avenues
Broad brick and cement sidewalks run past mismatched historic high-rises on Penn and Liberty avenues, housing dozens of restaurants, boutiques and theaters in first-floor storefronts and bespoke marquee-adorned venues. “People get to have a sort of European, active lifestyle – working and playing in a small circle,” Onufer says.
Patrons enjoy Korean fare under houseplants and string lights at Bae Bae’s Kitchen or try to beat the lunch rush at Nicky’s Thai Kitchen. Pre-show crowds enjoy elevated gastropub ambiance at Meat & Potato or Italian favorites and a brew at Proper Brick Oven & Tap Room. Into the night, cocktail enthusiasts frequent the bar and outdoor igloos at Bridges & Bourbon, while three stories of eateries topped by a rooftop beer garden blend evening and nightlife crowds at Sienna Mercato. Carved portraits of Pittsburgh legends decorate the exterior of the 7-Eleven at Seventh and Liberty, but for most groceries and essentials locals head to the small Target near Market Square or cross the Allegheny River to Giant Eagle in Deutschtown.
Traveling Broadway productions and Pittsburgh CLO musicals grace the stage and street-level billboards at the historic Benedum Center. Heinz Hall dominates most of the next block, home to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Compared to the rest of the neighborhood, the current David L. Lawrence Convention Center is a relative newcomer. Reopened in 2003, the modern convention center was redesigned as a visual continuation of the City of Bridges' Allegheny River-spanning structures, ramping up to the skyscraper skyline of the central business district. The Convention Center's function bridges the cultural and business needs of the city within its lofty event spaces, hosting corporate events as well as pet expos and hobbyist trade shows throughout the year.
Sienna Mercato is a three-story restaurant located in the Cultural District.
The Fresh Nostalgia Boutique in Cultural District is a bright and welcoming store.
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Condos in historic mid-rises from $255,000
Mid-rise warehouses, office and commercial buildings built in the 19th and 20th centuries have transformed into condo complexes and apartments throughout the Cultural District, combining historic brick exteriors topped by ornate cornices with interiors marked by high ceilings, high-end appliances and private elevator access. Prices and HOA fees vary by building, with one- or two-bedroom formats selling for $255,000 to $585,000 and those with higher square footage and three bedrooms selling for $800,000 to $1.5 million. “A lot of people are looking for buildings with luxury amenities like community rooftop decks and dog parks,” Onufer says. The Cultural District has more apartment buildings than condos, leading most residents to be renters rather than homeowners. The Cultural District has a CAP Index crime score of 7 out of 10, higher than the national average of 4.
The Cultural District offers modern condos in traditional buildings.
Modern condos with retail stores on the bottom are typical in the Cultural District.
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Arts display beautiful work at the Three Rivers Arts Festival every June in Pittsburgh.
Three Rivers Arts Festival and First Night
Relocated from Point State Park, the Three Rivers Arts Festival hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors who flit between artists’ booths along Fort Duquesne Boulevard across 10 days each June. Throughout the week on stages scattered between food courts and rows of artisans, genre-spanning local musicians and dancers perform for the crowds. On New Year’s Eve, revelers duck into dozens of performance venues before the fireworks display at Pittsburgh's First Night. Many venues offer free shows or dance lessons to whoever comes through the door between headlining events like the parade down Penn Avenue and midnight raising of the Future of Pittsburgh ball. Pittsburgh is a city that bleeds black and gold, and the home fields and rink of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates and Penguins are all within a mile of the Cultural District.
Eyeball benches, pocket parks and the Three Rivers Heritage Trail
Three large pairs of eyes gaze out from Katz Plaza, carved out of smooth granite and backed by benches for viewers to take in the towering, tiered fountain at the plaza’s center. Across the street, sculpted bronze perfectly mimics the delicate boughs and flowers of two blooming magnolia trees, surrounded by lush planting and buildings draped with thick ivy. The pocket parks of the Cultural District are as rich with artistry as the gilded, chandelier-hung performance halls they sit between.
Down a flight of stairs off the Rachel Carson Bridge, the Three Rivers Heritage Trail draws many for a bike ride or stroll along the Allegheny River toward the iconic fountain at Point State Park, looping back along the Monongahela River's section of trail. For an off-leash excursion, pet owners head to the tiny Downtown Dog Park.
Families having fun at the sculpture made by Louise Bourgeois.
Go for a run on the Three Rivers Heritage Trail.
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Parking garages, downtown commuting and AMTRAK
Car owners rent spots at nearby lots or rely on in-building parking garages rather than pay for street parking. “Some people get rid of their cars and take an Uber or Zipcar for groceries,” Onufer says. With wide sidewalks, Port Authority bus stops and bike lanes lining the neighborhood’s blocks, there are plenty of alternatives to driving for Golden Triangle commutes. More distant journeys begin at AMTRAK’s Pittsburgh Union Station within the neighborhood or 17 miles away through the Fort Pitt Tunnels at Pittsburgh International Airport. Medical care is closer to home, just over the Hill District at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital and several nearby specialist hospitals in Oakland.
Public transportation is widely available throughout the Cultural District.
E-scooters are a popular mode of transportation in the Cultural District.
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Attending Pittsburgh Public Schools
Kids can attend Pittsburgh Miller K-5 which earns a C-minus from Niche. Artistically inclined students may audition to continue their education within the neighborhood at Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12, a magnet arts school that earns a B-plus. CAPA students on performing arts tracks have opportunities to perform on major Cultural District stages like those at the Byham Theater.
Pittsburgh Miller K-5 is an African-Centered Academy.
The Pittsburgh CAPA in the Cultural District has a unique school entrance.
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Downtown Pittsburgh flooding along the Allegheny River
Due to its position on the Allegheny River, the Cultural District is at a higher risk of flooding following unusually heavy rain. Fortunately, storm surge tends to be contained to the Three Rivers Heritage Trail and the low-lying 10th Street Bypass.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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This stylish 1BR, 1BA downtown condo has all the charm and character you could ask for—right in the middle of the vibrant Cultural District. Features include restored hardwood floors, tons of exposed brick, and 13-ft beam ceilings. A full wall of windows floods the open living/kitchen area with natural light. The kitchen includes custom wood cabinets, soft-close drawers, granite counters, a large
Step into luxury at Maginn Lofts, where history meets modern elegance in Downtown Pittsburgh’s last surviving 19th-century commercial warehouse, once home to Specialty Luggage. These stunning 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom, 2,400 SF full-floor condos are now move-in ready! Thoughtfully designed with impeccable attention to detail, each residence seamlessly blends original architectural elements like
Denise BorttolottiPIATT SOTHEBY'S INTERNATIONAL REALTY
Step into luxury at Maginn Lofts, where history meets modern elegance in Downtown Pittsburgh’s last surviving 19th-century commercial warehouse, once home to Specialty Luggage. These stunning 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom, 2,400 SF full-floor condos are now move-in ready! Thoughtfully designed with impeccable attention to detail, each residence seamlessly blends original architectural elements like
Denise BorttolottiPIATT SOTHEBY'S INTERNATIONAL REALTY
Rare opportunity to lease a fully furnished 2-story penthouse in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District! This 2BR/2.5BA condo offers just under 1900 sq ft of interior space & 317 sq ft of outdoor living across 2 private patios w/ stunning panoramic city views. Features include 12’ ceilings, walls of windows, hardwood floors & gourmet kitchen w/ granite counters, large island & high-end appliances. The
Work from home in comfort in the heart of the Cultural District at 930 Penn Avenue! Each of our spacious loft-style apartments include 2 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, and an additional bonus space perfect for setting up your home office. Downtown living offers easy access to multiple dining/take out options or a quick visit to your corporate office. We are just steps away from FedEx to assist you
Move right into this chic, fully furnished, 1-bedroom,1-bath condo conveniently located in the heart of Pittsburgh's downtown Cultural District. You will love being walking distance to all that downtown has to offer! Inside, you will find beautifully restored hardwood floors throughout, exposed brick walls, and 13-foot exposed beam ceilings. Entertain with ease in the open kitchen and living room
Aubre StacknickPIATT SOTHEBY'S INTERNATIONAL REALTY
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Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
1,911
Median Age
37
Population Density
17 ppl/acre
Population under 18
11.1%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
13.8%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$138,015
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$148,940
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
97.7%
College Graduates
71.5%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
39.7%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
67.8%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
41''
Average Winter Low Temperature
23°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
6''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
82/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
99/ 100
Rider's Paradise
Transit Score®
95/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
