Point Park Partners in Mayor O’Connor’s "Main and Main" Initiative with Purchase of Former CVS Building in Downtown Pittsburgh Thursday, September 10, 2026
The building is located on the corner of Smithfield Street and Forbes Avenue, adjacent to the university's Pittsburgh Playhouse.
“Point Park University is part of the fabric of Downtown Pittsburgh, and this investment allows us to expand while doing our part to ensure Downtown remains strong and vibrant.”
Mayor Corey O’Connor and Point Park University announced today that the university has purchased the former CVS building, located at the corner of Smithfield Street and Forbes Avenue in Downtown Pittsburgh, adjacent to the university’s Pittsburgh Playhouse.
As part of Mayor O’Connor’s "Main and Main" initiative, the Administration identified the vacant building as an opportunity for renewal at the important intersection of Forbes Avenue and Smithfield Street. The redevelopment team proactively engaged with the property owners, who expressed interest in selling. Sharing a commitment to investing in the vitality and vibrancy of Downtown, Point Park University worked with the O’Connor Administration and the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) to purchase the building.
“Point Park University is part of the fabric of Downtown Pittsburgh, and this investment allows us to expand while doing our part to ensure Downtown remains strong and vibrant,” said Dr. Chris W. Brussalis, President of Point Park. “We are excited about the possibilities the building provides us, particularly because of its close proximity to the Pittsburgh Playhouse.”
Built in 1956, the three-story 42,440-square-foot building encompasses nearly a full city block of Smithfield Street, where the City and partners are set to break ground on a complete reconstruction and modernization of the street and sidewalks later this month.
“Main and Main is my vision for growth across the City of Pittsburgh, and I knew there was an opportunity to bring new life to this long-vacant storefront that’s at the corner of two main Downtown corridors,” Mayor O’Connor said. “We’ve seen how Point Park University’s investments have brought vibrancy to Downtown, from the Pittsburgh Playhouse to new housing and now the purchase of this cornerstone property. I’d like to thank Point Park for once again stepping up and partnering with my administration to invest in the future of our city.”
Point Park University closed on the sale of the building yesterday, and it will be announced to the URA Board of Directors at today’s meeting.
The purchase of the building was made possible through generous donations from the Allegheny Foundation and The Burke Foundations. Point Park expects more benefactors to be announced in the future.
“We could not have made this happen without the support of our benefactors,” Brussalis said. “So many foundations are committed to building a prosperous future for the Pittsburgh region, and we are grateful they understand and support the mission of Point Park and the importance of a thriving Downtown Pittsburgh. The continued support of the Mayor and the Urban Redevelopment Authority also has been critical throughout this process.”
Point Park will announce plans for the building at a later date.