Cityscape

The city can be broken down into the downtown area, called the Golden Triangle, and four main areas surrounding it. These four surrounding areas are further subdivided into distinct neighborhoods. These areas, relative to downtown, are known as the North Side, South Side/South Hills, East End, and West End.

The North Side is home to various neighborhoods in transition. The North Side is primarily composed of residential neighborhoods and is noteworthy for well-constructed and architecturally interesting homes. Many buildings date from the 19th century and are constructed of brick or stone and adorned with decorative woodwork, ceramic tile, slate roofs and stained glass. The North Side is also home to many popular attractions such as Heinz Field, PNC Park, Carnegie Science Center, National Aviary, Andy Warhol Museum, Mattress Factory installation art museum, Pittsburgh Children's Museum, Penn Brewery and Allegheny Observatory.

 

The South Side was once an area composed primarily of dense inexpensive housing for mill workers, but has in recent years become a local Pittsburgher destination. The South Side's E. Carson St. is one of the most vibrant areas of the city, packed with diverse shopping, ethnic eateries, pulsing nightlife and live music venues.

The East End is home to the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, Carlow University, The Carnegie Institute (Museums of Art and Natural History), Frick Art and Historical Center (Clayton and the Frick art museum), Phipps Conservatory, Soldiers and Sailors Military Museum and Memorial, Chatham College and the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium. The neighborhoods of Shadyside and Squirrel Hill are large, wealthy neighborhoods featuring large shopping/business districts. Oakland is home to most universities and graduate as well as undergraduate students. Bloomfield is Pittsburgh's Little Italy and is known for its Italian restaurants and grocers. Lawrenceville is a revitalizing rowhouse neighborhood popular with artists and designers. The Strip District is a popular open-air marketplace by day and one of Pittsburgh's hottest clubbing destinations by night.

 

The West End includes Mt. Washington, with its view of the Downtown skyline.

Pittsburgh is a patchwork of neighborhoods, many of which still retain an ethnic character reflecting the city's immigrant history. This includes African American (Hill District, Homewood), Jewish (Squirrel Hill), Irish American, Italian American (Bloomfield), German American (Troy Hill), East Allegheny) and Eastern European such as Polish (South Side, Lawrenceville, Polish Hill).

Several neighborhoods on the edges of the city are less urban, featuring tree-lined streets, yards and garages giving a more characteristic suburban feel. Other neighborhoods, such as Oakland, in which are located the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University, are characterized by a more diverse, urban feel.

 

Downtown Pittsburgh is tight and compact, featuring many skyscrapers, 9 of which top 500 feet. U.S. Steel Tower is the tallest tower at 841 feet. The Cultural District comprises a 14 block area of downtown along the Allegheny River. It is packed with theatres and arts venues, and is seeing a growing residential segment. Most significantly, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust is embarking on Riverparc, a 4-block mixed-use "green" community, featuring 700 residential units and multiple towers between 20–30 stories. The Firstside portion of downtown borders the Monongahela River and the historic Mon Wharf. This area is home to the distinctive PPG Place gothic glass skyscraper complex. This area too, is seeing a growing residential sector, as new condo towers are constructed and historic office towers are converted to residential use. Downtown is serviced by a subway and multiple bridges leading north and south. It is also home to Point Park University, Pittsburgh Art Institute, Pittsburgh Culinary Institute, a Robert Morris University campus and Duquesne University which is located on the border of Downtown and Uptown.

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