Full Circle In The Square

 What a difference a year makes. Anyone who's witnessed the amazing transformation of Market Square over the last 365 days knows exactly what we're talking about. Which is what sent us on a trip down memory lane to November 2009, when the remaking of Downtown's favorite meeting spot was starting all over from, well, Square one.

Okay, can you believe that just 12 months ago, on Light Up Night last year, the Square looked the scene in the photo over here? After enjoying the Farmers Market, the Thursday free concerts, the Carnegie Library Reading Room and other happenings this summer and fall in the "new"  Square, it's almost impossible for us to remember the "old" Square and what it looked like during construction. But we dug through the archives to unearth a few photos from last year to show you just how much everything's changed — for the better.

Before the work crews could install the beautiful terrazzo surface in the main part of the Square or carefully place by hand each Belgian block in the streets around the Square, they had to remove every last bit of the old roads and sidewalks and start from scratch, including replacing old water lines and laying new pipes for various utilities (remember all those deep holes all over?). We spent a lot of time watching the guys tool around in the Square in their grown-up Tonka toys. Now, of course, with so much heavy equipment in the Square, we all had to deal with some detours on our way to the Nicholas Coffee Co., Oyster House and other fave spots in the Square. Somehow we all managed to find our way around the yellow "caution" tape and orange traffic cones.


But look at the Square now. In just a few days, tens of thousands of happy holiday well-wishers will gather there for our extra special 50th anniversary Light Up Night spectacular. Along with all the treasured Light Up Night festivities and traditions, this year's celebration will get off to an electrifying start when Mayor Luke Ravenstahl flips a giant switch to turn on the amazing Market Square Season of Lights display in the Square. We want to thank the good folks at the Colcom Foundation for plugging in their support of this colossal collection of brilliant blinking and twinkling decorations — including a 33-foot tall "sphere tree" that will brighten up the Square through the holidays and into the new year.

It's been a year of change in the Square. And we want to thank everyone — the work crews and the craftsmen, the merchants and especially everyone who visits the Square every day — for being patient and supportive during the long haul. We think the new Square was well worth the wait. And, remember, we'll see you in the Square — and everywhere else Downtown — this Friday and Saturday for the biggest, brightest and best Light Up Night ever.

It's Dee-Lightful!

Seriously, this is late fall? With temps in the mid 60s? Well, maybe the calendar puts us deep in the middle of autumn. But about the only hints of winter heading our way we've spotted in the Square the past few days are the workers who are assembling the first stages of Pittsburgh's first Market Square Seasons of Lights display created by Blachere Illuminations.

Now, not that we're counting, but crews were busy the past few days decking out the square with the first few hundred or so of the 143,268 lights that will brighten up the Square through the early part of January, thanks to the generosity of the Colcom Foundation. Along with decking the lamp posts around the Square with boughs of twinkling lights, the installers were busy raising the signature piece of the Season of Lights — the 33-foot tall "sphere tree" and its more than 27,000 energy-efficient LED bulbs.  Every night through its run, the Seasons of Light display will dazzle visitors to the Square with extremely awesome choreographed and synchronized shows set to everyone's favorite holiday tunes.

So, there we were, in the Square during the Thursday Farmers Market — which is extended into December — enjoying a few pierogies and buying some fresh veggies and a couple of fresh-baked pies for dinner. Everywhere we looked,  everyone in the Square was catching some amazingly warm rays during what seemed like a citywide long lunch break. Still, we couldn't help but imagine the electric winter wonderland that's in store for Downtown when we flip the "on" switch for the Market Square Season of Lights.

Farmers Market In The Square Extended

Let's just say that the Farmers Market in Market Square has a way of growing on you. Which is why we're really happy to tell you that the bounty of fresh foods — plus bushels of pastries, Greek treats, pierogies and other goodies — will continue to take root in Market Square through the end of the year.

After talking with the vendors we added another six weeks or so to the selling season. Some of you may remember that the year before construction we went through December too, with one of the longest outdoor market seasons in the City.  Last year we cut it short due to construction in the Square, but this year we're back!  And that means you'll be able to stock up on supplies for Turkey Day and other special occasions throughout this holiday season.

Speaking of the holidays, friends of the Farmers Market might just notice that a few special festive touches in the Square as work crews begin installing the 143,268 lights that will twinkle, blink and dazzle everyone who visits the Square during our very first Market Square Season of Lights extravaganza, funded by Colcom Foundation. The amazing LED display will flash and sparkle and add an extra-special glow to the Square — with synchronized shows every evening — through the holiday season and into the new year.

Now, we're certainly basking in  this week's hot spell and even spotted more than a few folks dining al fresco in the Square during lunch. But keep in mind that after this Wednesday, our Clean Team will be moving most of the tables and chairs from the center of the Square to the storage room to make way for Light Up Night festivities on November 19 and 20. After that, a few of the tables and chairs will return for the winter, so you still have a brief escape from the office and good people watching!

So whether you're looking for some local veggies for the holiday dinner table or an afternoon treat to satisfy your sweet tooth, the Farmers Market in the Square is where you ought to be.

There's More In Store For The Square — And Beyond

Now that the Mayor and other local luminaries snipped the yellow ribbon last week to officially mark the grand reopening of Market Square, we want to make sure that you know there are plenty more developments happening in the Square and beyond its four corners. And a lot of it's happening right now. 

Even though the City of Pittsburgh, the URA and the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership put their finishing touches on the Square's stunning transformation over the past 18 months, many other private and public projects are ready to leap from the drawing board and into reality. That's why we're letting you get this sneak peek at what's in the works in and around the Square. 

Of course, you can see plenty of action in the Square itself as the old Jenny Lee building gets a much needed makeover and Fat Tommy's pizzeria will sport a new look soon, too. Plus, more exciting businesses will set up shop in the Square in the months ahead. Even though Bourbon Street's a few hundred miles a way, NoLa will bring a taste of the French Quarter to Pittsburgh when this exciting eatery opens just in time for Mardi Gras. For a some South of the Border cuisine, we say ole to the new Chipotle and its aways fresh approach to Mexican fare. For saltier appetites, the Penn Ave. Fish Co. brings the catch of the day to its new Forbes Avenue location, and Winghart's Burgers and Whiskey Bar will serve two of America's favorites in the Square very soon. And that's just for starters. 

Everyone knows that Downtown is Pittsburgh's newest neighborhood. Well, Market Square might just be the fastest growing enclave in the center of it all. Square dwellers are already enjoying the best of urban living at MarketSquare Place, the site of the old New Diamond Market and Murphy's building. For a more intimate habitat, the Residences at Market at Fifth offers cozy living space on Graeme Street, one of the shortest roads in all of Pittsburgh. Of course, you can rise above it all in the sky-high condos in the glass towers of Three PNC Plaza, lean out the window watching an event from the two apartments above Primanti's, or enjoy the views from the Dahlmeyer Building on Liberty, where another amazing restoration project is shaping up fast. And when we look into our crystal ball, we see even more retail and residential projects in the work in the very near future. 

And don't forget that we're extending the Farmer's Market in the Square through the end of the year and the Seasons of Light holiday display that will dazzle and delight visitors each night well past New Year's Day. You know, when you think about it, there's always something new taking place in the Square. 

Season of Lights Brightens Market Square

One hundred forty-three thousand two hundred sixty eight twinkles...that's how we measure the dazzling Seasons of Light that will brighten Market Square during the upcoming holidays. And we're telling you now so that you won't want to miss this amazing choreographed, mega-watt, synchronized show of dancing, multi-colored lights that will be ready to plug in just in time for our favorite Downtown celebration of the year — the special, two-day 50th Anniversary of Light Up Night on November 19 and 20.

You'll have to excuse us for sounding a little hyper-amped, but the Market Square Seasons of Light really puts a jolt in our jumper. After all, this luminary-palooza is designed by Blachere Illuminations, the very bright people who created legendary light shows at the Eiffel Tower and Disney World's Cinderella's Castle in Orlando. Over the next couple weeks you'll notice workers installing the displays, which will include thousands of lights around the Square blinking and flashing in time to everyone's favorite holiday tunes. And along with pole banners and swags draped over streets and sidewalks around the Square, the centerpiece of this electric extravaganza is a 33-foot tall red and white "sphere tree" made up of different size balls that will blink and twinkle each night through early January. And just in case you're keeping count, there will be almost 26,000 lights on the sphere tree.

Ronnie Brown and Luke Ravenstahl 

Now, don't worry about being blinded by the light during this special Season in the Square. You see, we're keeping the Season of Lights very, very green thanks to Blachere's innovative LED technology, which is light years ahead of the competition. In fact, according to Blachere president Ronnie Brown, the amount of energy needed to power the nearly 150,000 LEDs in the Seasons of Light show is equal to the electricity required to fire up 80 everyday household 100 watt light bulbs. Which means Santa will have a lot of extra lumps of coal to go around for those little boys and girls who were more naughty than nice this past year.

Colcom Foundation President Timothy Inglis

Of course, if you happened to be in the crowd during the Grand Reopening of Market Square a couple of days ago, you got a sneak peek of Seasons of Light when Mayor Ravenstahl and Ronnie Brown unveiled a poster of the project. But, if you weren't there, be sure to visit Seasons of Light for the synchronized shows every evening during the holidays beginning with the inaugural lighting on November 19. And after hours, it won't be lights as the tree will flash and fade and blink and brighten the Square all night long.

Just so you know, Colcom Foundation generously presented Pittbsurghers with an early holiday gift by providing the funding that will flip the on-switch for Market Square Seasons of Light. And we certainly want to second the emotions of Foundation President, Timothy Inglis, in hoping that the display becomes another Pittsburgh tradition that lights up the Downtown holiday season for years to come.

Farewell Orange Cones & Caution Tape!

It's official. The Market Square project is officially completed. Which is why local movers and shakers such as his honor the Mayor Luke Ravenstahl gathered under the Square clock today to celebrate an 18-month collaboration between civic and private organizations that transformed the Square into a dazzling, spacious European style piazza right in the heart of Downtown.

Of course, the remaking of the Square has been an ongoing work — parts of the Square have been open for public used during portions of construction and access to businesses was maintained at all times. Well, now all the bricks are in place. The trees are planted. And all the orange barrels and yellow tape are gone. That means that you are once again free to roam wherever you want in the Square.  Penn Dot is finishing up a separate project on Forbes Avenue so soon they too will be out of the way.  Then the only scaffolding and contractors you will see are the ones for renovating and new businesses.  We can't wait till the open for business. Check out our coming blog posts for more info on them!

Even though the skies were a bit on the gray side, there were plenty of bright smiles as Ronnie Brown of Blachere Illumination announced the upcoming Market Square Season of Lights, made possible by the Colcom Foundation.  It will be a dazzling holiday season display of high-tech LED lighting.  Installation activity will begin in the next few weeks, leading up to the big unveil on Light Up Night, November 19.

After remarks from the Mayor, PDP prez Mike Edwards and other dignitaries grabbed some really long scissors to cut the ceremonial yellow ribbon in the middle of the Square and to unveil a commemorative plaque that offers a well-deserved tip of the hat to all the parties involved in the Square's remarkable makeover.  To see the plaque in person, head to the center of the Square — it is embedded in the cement circle around the lighting feature that references the Square's role in the Underground Railroad.

Then it was time for a few treats for the crowd that gathered to mark the occasion. Whether it was the pepperoni pizza from Fat Tommy's, organic pickles from Bella Sera, turkey sub from Subway or the tasty tassie cups from Prantl's, everyone got to sample some of the amazing Square cuisine.

Now that the work is done, the fun's just begun. In the next few weeks, the Square will host another Steelers pep rally, the Season of Lights debut and, of course, it will be party central for the Pittsburgh's favorite holiday party and biggest bash of the year — the two-day, 50th anniversary of Light Up Night. If you weren't in the Square today, then we'll see you there soon.

Special Thanks: The Market Square renovation is a project of Mayor Ravenstahl and the City of Pittsburgh.  It is the culmination of several years of public process and has been made possible through the leadership, vision and financial contributions of the City of Pittsburgh, Heinz Endowments, Richard King Mellon Foundation, Colcom Foundation and Hillman Foundation.

Jenny Lee's Extreme Square Makeover

We don't have to tell you how the march of time can take its toll on "looks." Of course, we're talking about buildings, right? Anyway, you've probably noticed by now the scaffolding going up around the old Jenny Lee building in Market Square. Sure, the most recent tenants in that spot were Mancini's and Prantl's. But you know how real Pittsburghers are when it comes to identifying landmarks that by things that aren't there anymore.

Whatever you call that spot, it's getting a welcome "facelift," taking advantage of our Paris to Pittsburgh program. The idea behind P2P is to improve the interaction between street level businesses and us folks on the street — just like you'd find anywhere you go in "Gay Paree." A vibrant street cafe is a perfect example, and Square regulars already know how great that can be.

So here's the inside scoop. With the project in the works, what you'll see over the next few months is a completely new facade going up on the building. According to Mike Krastas — he's with N & P Properties, the company behind the project — the new front facing the Square will sport an "Art Moderne" look.

Crews will be replacing the tinted glass roof with a metal roof. Windows at Las Velas, that muy bueno Mexican catina that sits above old Jenny Lee, will sport clear glass for better views of the action in the Square below. Even better, the windows on the Market Square side will open up to let the fresh air in and to better connect the restaurant to the sidewalks below.  Diners will be able to enjoy all the fun of al fresco dining with all of the comfort of the great indoors!

On the ground floor, the windows will actually open to remove that barriers what's going on outside with the fun inside. The best news is that Mike K. says that Las Velas will remain open for business — barring any of those "unforeseen circumstances" —during all the construction.  So go on in, grab a Dos XX on tap and get the inside scoop!

Well, that's it for now on Jenny Lee's makeover. Visit Market Square to see the progress for yourself!