On October 7, 2025, NAIOP Pittsburgh joined forces with AIA Pittsburgh for an electrifying panel during Architecture Week: Driving Downtown: A Panel Discussion on Spurring Growth. Hosted at Strada Architecture in the heart of the Golden Triangle, this midday event brought together industry leaders to tackle one of Pittsburgh’s biggest challenges: reigniting economic vitality in our urban core. Moderated by Endicott “Endy” Reindl, AIA Pittsburgh’s Executive Director, the conversation wove together threads of mobility, infrastructure, placemaking, and commercial real estate—proving that collaboration is the key to unlocking our city’s potential.
Kicking things off, Endy spotlighted Governor Josh Shapiro’s recent blueprint for Downtown Pittsburgh’s revival—a bold, 10-year strategy announced last fall to flood the area with housing, spruce up public spaces, and boost affordability and safety. With a nod to adaptive reuse projects at the forefront, the panel dove into how these initiatives could catalyze investment and population growth. Enter Aaron Sukenik, Vice President of District Development at the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (PDP). Aaron painted a vivid picture: Pittsburgh’s population, or lack thereof, is a well-known talking point, but targeted multifamily developments could flip the script. By drawing in residents, we’d lure national retail chains and increase retail development He also hyped PDP’s Market Square facelift as a way to ensure vibrancy. He also envisions a “rebalanced” Golden Triangle real estate portfolio – less office glut, more mixed-use & multifamily – to fuel sustainable growth.
Building on Aaron’s momentum, NAIOP’s own Brian Walker, President of NAI Burns Scalo, brought the developer’s perspective. “Perseverance is everything in adaptive reuse,” he stressed, unpacking the realities: high interest rates, high construction costs, and the high cost of capital that often leave projects in a funding gap. Brian’s takeaway? Bridging these gaps demands public-private partnerships (P3s)—but only if developers double as true community stewards. His call for balanced incentives resonated, reminding us that smart policy can turn hurdles into high-rises.
Lisa Carver, AIA, Principal at PWWG Architects, rounded out the trio with a dose of architectural heart. Showcasing PWWG’s portfolio of urban redevelopments, she emphasized that every project, and every resident, is one-of-a-kind. Context is king: sensitive adaptive reuse honors history while welcoming tomorrow’s diverse tenants. As a proud Downtown walker who commutes on foot, Lisa portrayed optimism. She sketched a thriving Pittsburgh, walkable, inclusive, and buzzing with housing options across income levels.
The mic-drop moment came with the Endy’s big question: “What can the public sector do to spur development?” The panel’s answer was nearly unanimous: Slash the red tape. Streamline permitting, zoning, and DOMI approvals. Increase utility coordination. These aren’t pie-in-the-sky wishes – they have become NAIOP Pittsburgh’s local advocacy committees North Star, with our committee working hard to develop suggestions for the incoming administration.
Walking away, I’m channeling Lisa’s hope, Aaron’s blueprint, and Brian’s knowledge. Pittsburgh’s future is bright. There are solutions to the problems. Let’s continue to preserve and make Pittsburgh a destination for business and living. Let’s keep the momentum: Join NAIOP, amplify our voice, and turn vision into reality.
For more on AIA Pittsburgh’s Architecture Week (October 3–10, 2025), check out their full calendar here. And stay tuned to NAIOP for updates on our red-tape-busting efforts.
Tom Frank
NAIOP Pittsburgh Executive Director
