Located at the former site of a parking garage and classroom, 3921 O’Hara Street has been reimagined as a stunning nine-story recreation and wellness center for the University of Pittsburgh. This vibrant hub transcends athletic programming, offering a space for holistic wellness and community engagement. A prominent outdoor plaza and stairway connects the lower campus with the upper hillside as part of the University master plan, in addition to serving the local community as a convenient pathway connecting the two portions of campus, addressing accessibility issues on “Cardiac Hill.”
This new 276,000-SF Rec + Wellness Center features the following amenities:
- Six-Lane Fitness Pool
- “Sky Track” Running Path
- Stress-Free and Wellbeing Program Spaces
- Multi-Activity Courts (Basketball and Volleyball)
- E-Sports Suite
- Climbing Wall and Bouldering Area
- Multipurpose Rooms
- Multiple Fitness Areas
- Locker Rooms
- Lobby and Juice Bar
- Green Roof
Five Story Walkout
The Pitt Rec and Wellness Center rises nine stories high from O’Hara street and five stories from Dammond Drive. Barton Malow navigated the steep topography with JV partner, Mascaro, preparing the steep grade with vigilant safety protocols and coordination in the tight urban setting. Everything from the rock profile, installing a pool on the fifth floor, to material deliveries posed a challenge to the team from both a construction and logistical standpoint.
Our team adapted to working around multiple ongoing construction infrastructure improvements projects that transversed the jobsite, occupied buildings to the east and west, and a busy city street to the south- all while maintaining a sharp focus on clear communication and delivering innovative solutions that kept the project moving forward. The transformative building opened for students September 16, 2025.
To learn more about our Education portfolio from student wellness centers like this to multi-use academic buildings, visit the Higher Education Market page.
