New Hotel To Be Built In Market Square

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Another new project for downtown Pittsburgh is expected to begin next summer and should be completed by 2014.

The project includes a new hotel right off of Market Square.

The ongoing development of the Market Square/Forbes Avenue corridor got a boost with word from developer Lucas Piatt and Mayor Luke Ravenstahl of a $76 million project.

While one corner of Market Square is nearly completed, it's the opposite corner right that is going to have a remarkable transformation.

Just above Moe's Southwest Grill, a new office building of parking, retail space and offices will be put in place.

Anchoring it all will be a new 175-room hotel to be run by Hilton Spring Garden.

Coupled with other downtown projects, Mayor Ravenstahl considers this part of what he calls the city's third renaissance.

"Already looks wonderful with the progress we've made, but it's really exciting for all of us to think about what downtown's going to be five years from now, 10 years from now," Ravenstahl said.

A new 17-story hotel, a 325-space parking garage, stores, and offices will demolish George Aiken's, a 44-year old restaurant and fixture near Market Square.

"Corporations are coming in. They want new establishments. Mom and pops are dying out," Tony Baverso said.

Aiken's could relocate, but it may close its doors forever.

Up the street at the Smithfield Outlet, owner John Stetor hopes to find space nearby.

"There's a need in town for some of these smaller moms and pops, discount type stores, so I hope we can stay in town," Stetor said.

City officials said they are helping to relocate the displaced businesses, the excitement is aimed at new construction.

"Obviously the architecture is beautiful," Piatt told the mayor. "It steps up away from the Square, so it's not just a huge high-rise right on the Square."

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