Allegheny Shores: Placemaking & Activation Plan

Allegheny Shores is a visionary project set to transform 80 acres of riverfront, offering a vibrant mix of living, working, shopping, and recreational spaces for local and regional audiences. Led by The Mosites Company, an affiliate of Riverfront 47, LP, and through years of community collaboration, this multifaceted development is poised to transform Pittsburgh’s riverfront.

In early 2024, The Mosites Company engaged Phil Myrick to craft an experiential framework for the site, emphasizing the role of attractions and public spaces as catalysts for community engagement. At the core of this effort is the Activation Plan, a comprehensive placemaking strategy and open space framework that aligns the development with the community’s vision and the broader project goals. By prioritizing public spaces and curated activities, the plan transforms the site into a dynamic destination, offering opportunities for recreation, cultural engagement, and social connection that keep visitors returning.

Allegheny Shores is more than a development—it is a reimagined destination that demonstrates the profound impact of placemaking in creating spaces where communities can thrive, connect, and grow. Yet the Activation Plan also shows how placemaking strengthens mixed-use developments as economic engines by helping to ensure their success as a destination.

This effort was enriched by LBA Landscape Architecture, whose deep knowledge of the site and long history with the project provided invaluable insights. Together, this collaboration showcases how placemaking transforms mixed-use developments into thriving community and economic hubs.