The Pittsburgh Highline

South Side, Pittsburgh, PA

Status: Completed 2020

Building Type: Mixed-Use

 

Area: 800,000 SF

The Pittsburgh Highline, situated next to the Liberty Bridge along the Monongahela River, is one of Pittsburgh's most iconic historic structures. Originally known as The Terminal Buildings and built in 1905, it was once a major warehouse and transfer facility with around 800,000 square feet of space.

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To transform the complex into a prime commercial office space, IAA and McKnight Realty upgraded it to National Park Service standards. Key improvements included replacing all windows with historically accurate units, restoring the masonry veneer, and updating storefronts along Terminal Way and the garage loading docks on 3rd and 4th Streets.

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The centerpiece of the project is a new public park on the elevated roadway between the building’s two main sections. This fully accessible space features both hard and softscapes, extending from the storefront entry levels to the bridge over the powerhouse. It is connected to the lower park area, known as the Yards, via new stairs and an elevator. The Yards serve as the complex’s hub, linking to the riverfront trail system and featuring trees, landscaping, and site furnishings to create a welcoming riverside entrance.