URA Celebrates Smithfield Lofts Groundbreaking with Woda Cooper and Stakeholders as Part of Continued Revitalization of Downtown Pittsburgh

Today, the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (URA) joined Woda Cooper and partners for the groundbreaking of the $30 million Smithfield Lofts development, located at 4 Smithfield St. The office-to-residential conversion will bring 46 new apartments to Downtown Pittsburgh. Construction is expected to be completed in the fall of 2027.

The URA provided Woda Cooper with a $2 million Pittsburgh Downtown Conversion Program loan and a $1.25 million Rental Gap Program loan, both made possible through a historic Affordable Housing Bond initiative with the City of Pittsburgh, to help support the conversion to residential. Woda Cooper received additional financing from the Commonwealth of PA, Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh, PNC Bank, Marble Cliff Capital, and others.

Of the 46 units, 39 are affordable for tenants earning 60% of the area median income or less. Four units are studios, 25 units are one-bedrooms and 17 units are two-bedrooms. Woda Cooper will make all 46 units meet PHFA's VisitAbility standards for accessible units, and 12 units are designed for tenants with hearing or vision impairments. The project will feature a child playroom, fitness room, tenant storage, bike storage room, a community room with kitchenette, in-unit washer and dryer hookup, and on-site laundry. The second and third floor will remain as office space.

Smithfield Lofts is one of nine projects in the URA’s evolving Downtown development pipeline, with one development completed, four now under construction, and five moving toward financial closings.

“Smithfield Lofts reflects the strong partnerships and shared vision driving Downtown Pittsburgh’s continued evolution into a more vibrant, livable neighborhood,” said Quianna Wasler, the URA’s Chief Housing Officer. “With the support of Governor Shapiro's investment plan and the collaboration of our local and regional partners, we are building on this momentum to create more housing opportunities so that Pittsburgh remains a place where current and future generations want to live, work and thrive.”

As part of the URA’s Downtown Revitalization investment strategy, the URA has committed more than $32 million toward residential and mixed-use real estate development, which will result in 708 units of housing, 477 of which are affordable.

“This groundbreaking is another major step forward for Downtown Pittsburgh, just weeks after the NFL Draft and less than two years since Governor Shapiro announced his plan to revitalize the City,” said PA Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Siger. “Smithfield Lofts will bring even more vitality to the Downtown and provide much needed affordable housing options. The Shapiro Administration will continue to deliver for Downtown Pittsburgh through targeted investments and close collaboration with local partners.”

Since Governor Shapiro’s Downtown Revitalization Plan announcement, the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership renovated Market Square and reopened it in time for the 2026 NFL Draft. The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust completed the new Arts Landing and had a ribbon cutting in April 2026, with a grand opening planned for the Arts Festival in June. Point Park’s iconic fountain was turned back on after refurbishing, and all of this investment in Downtown Pittsburgh is turning the neighborhood into a great place to live, work and play.

“We couldn’t be more excited to see Smithfield Lofts come to life and be transformed,” said Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato. “Projects like this represent a fundamental shift in how we think about Downtown Pittsburgh. We are working collectively to build a downtown that’s alive in the morning, afternoon and evening.”

With these commitments by our state and local partners, the future of Downtown Pittsburgh is secure.