Pitt Announces Major New Building Project

PITTSBURGH, PA — The University of Pittsburgh’s Board of Trustees has approved construction of a new first-year residence hall at Fifth and Ruskin avenues at the eastern end of campus in Oakland.

Construction expected to begin this summer and completion is targeted for fall 2028. It's the first new residence hall to be built on Pitt's campus since Nordenberg Hall in 2013.

The new residence hall will be adjacent to the Music Building as part of a series of long-term housing solutions outlined in the Campus Master Plan and the Institutional Master Plan.

“It’s an exciting moment for our Planning, Design and Construction team. The Music School site carries an iconic history and occupies a prominent position along the eastern edge of campus, surrounded by a rich and eclectic architectural fabric,” project manager Tony Caicco stated.

“Once completed, this signature building will help frame the campus edge and establish a new gateway to the Fifth Avenue corridor.”

Plans for the space include retail dining, approximately 420 beds, faculty-in-residence spaces, study areas and spaces that can be flexed for use by Living Learning Communities.

The building is expected to achieve LEED Gold certification by incorporating sustainable elements such as bike storage, storm water collection, and energy and water performance that meet the University’s carbon neutrality aspirations.

“Student housing should do more than provide a place to live — it should help students succeed. The design we selected creates welcoming spaces where our first-year students can study, connect and build friendships that will last long after their time at Pitt,” Matthew Sterne, Pitt’s vice chancellor for business services, said in a university release.

“It will be an inspiring place to begin a college journey, and this new residence hall will reflect that same sense of pride, energy and possibility for our newest students.”