Market Square had been the traditional retail and civic center of Pittsburgh since the 1700s, and had been in a 50 year cycle of slow decay.

The reconstruction of Market Square was a top to bottom renovation of a historical space in the center of downtown Pittsburgh.  Market Squae is a 1.1 acre public open space and designated free speech zone surrounded by active first floor retail including restaurants and sidewalk cafés.  Buildings fronting the square are typically two or three stories while buildings within the neighboring blocks include high-rise sky scrapers that serve as the headquarters of global corporations.  Use of the upper floors of the surrounding buildings include residential (apartments and condos) and commercial office space. 

The renovation included removing bus traffic from the square, limiting vehicular traffic by removing the central street and keeping cars to the perimeter road, removing overgrown trees that limited sightlines, and other barriers that limited interaction with the environment.  Sidewalks, streets, lighting, signage, public seating, plantings and decorative design elements were replaced by high quality projects. Total project cost was approximately $4.75 million.