Pittsburgh City Council unanimously approved Phase Three of South Side Works development today, clearing the way for an 80,000 square foot mixed-use project on the South Side riverfront. The project, developed by Continental Real Estate Companies, represents a $65 million investment and is expected to create 400 permanent jobs. Construction is expected to begin in Q2 2026, with opening scheduled for late 2027. The approval marks another milestone in one of Pittsburgh's most successful adaptive reuse projects.
South Side Works transformed a derelict industrial site into a vibrant riverfront community. When the original LTV Steel Mill closed in 1998, the 41-acre site sat abandoned for years. The first phase of redevelopment, completed in the early 2000s, added retail, dining, and entertainment uses. Phase Two brought additional retail and the massive Dick's Sporting Goods flagship store. Phase Three represents the next evolution: a careful integration of office and mixed-use space that maintains the project's character while adding genuine neighborhood activity.
The new development will include ground-floor retail and dining with an emphasis on locally-owned businesses and restaurants. The four upper floors will be office space, split between move-in ready suites for small companies and larger open floor plates for expanding firms. The design, by international architecture firm Foster + Partners, maintains South Side Works' character of post-industrial authenticity—exposing original brick and steel elements while introducing contemporary architectural language.
"Phase Three completes the vision for South Side Works as a mixed-use neighborhood, not just a shopping destination," said Continental's Vice President of Development, Maria Rodriguez. "We're creating a place where people work, shop, dine, and spend time together. The rooftop terrace will be a genuine public amenity with river views—it's not about extraction, it's about creating real neighborhood value."
The riverfront location is increasingly strategic in Pittsburgh's development landscape. The Mon River trail has become one of the city's most used recreational facilities. The South Shore neighborhood has developed into one of Pittsburgh's trendier residential areas. Adding office space to the South Side creates opportunity for employers to locate workers and customers in proximity, reducing commute times and creating a genuine neighborhood ecosystem.
City Council approval was swift and unanimous, reflecting the project's broad support. The development will pay approximately $3.2 million in tax obligations over the first ten years, supporting city services and education. The project includes commitments to local hiring and community benefits, including scholarships for South Side residents pursuing technical education and training programs.
Continental Real Estate has also committed to ongoing stewardship of the site's industrial heritage. The development includes a public exhibit about the site's history as a steel mill, honoring the workers and communities that built Pittsburgh's industrial strength. "You can't remake a place by erasing its past," Rodriguez said. "South Side Works succeeds because it acknowledges what this place was, while creating something genuinely new. Phase Three continues that commitment."