With a 42,000-square-foot dynamic new home in the Strip District, the
Pittsburgh Opera is poised to expand its programming, capacity and reach.
Located ay 2425 Liberty Ave., the $8 million project features offices, 4,000 square feet of rehearsal spaces, costume, wig and make-up shops, and a kitchen. Designed by
IKM, the renovation is seeking LEED certification, and incorporates the site’s exposed brick interiors, 150 historically accurate windows and original metal fire safes. A new wrap-around metal, neon and LEED sign was designed by
Bill Kolano. Contractor is
Massaro Corporation.
Long before the Opera transformed its industrial interiors, the block-long facility was a site of innovation and invention. The space was built in 1869 as George Westinghouse’s original air brake factory, while during the 1980s, it housed RedZone Robotics, where machines that helped clear the Chernobyl disaster site were manufactured.
“Rather than squeezing into something, we can play with the space and make it work for us. Its flexibility allows us to experiment,” says Christopher Hahn, with Pittsburgh Opera, who hopes the storefront design will attract Saturday shoppers. “We’ll be so much farther ahead in our rehearsal process, that we’ll be able to do bigger and better things.”
Hahn, who plans to pipe “opera muzak” into the parking garage, says visiting singers from around the world have already been impressed with the Opera’s new digs. After fully occupying the building on Sept. 22, the Opera is hosting a free open house on Oct. 4., with family-friendly concerts, improv performances and behind-the-scenes tours.
With ticket sales up from last year ,the Opera has raised $5.8 million to support the quiet phase of its capital campaign.
To receive Pop City free every week, click here.Writer:
Jennifer BaronSource: Christopher Hahn, general director, Pittsburgh Opera
Image courtesy Pittsburgh Opera