| Design
Unveiled and Plans
for North Shore Amphitheater Announced
December 3, 2002
 PITTSBURGH
— The design and plans for a 5,600-seat, open-air
amphitheater at the vacant parcel along the North Shore near Heinz Field
were unveiled today.
PSSI Stadium
Corp., managers for Heinz Field, released the design of the North Shore
Amphitheater, which is scheduled to open May 1, 2004, according to Art
Rooney II, president of PSSI Stadium Corp. and vice president of the Pittsburgh
Steelers.
“This
amphitheater will be a dynamic component of the development of the North
Shore,” said Rooney. “The design is spectacular and versatile
to accommodate various indoor and outdoor activities.
The open
amphitheater, designed by Pittsburgh-native David Wagner of Wagner Murray
Architects, Charlotte, N.C., features a covered seating area that will
include fixed seating in the lower section, 20-30 suites, dining areas,
and moveable seating in the upper sections. The complex will also include
ancillary offices, restrooms, concessions and behind-the-house components.
A Teflon-coated fabric, similar to what was used for Pittsburgh’s
Lawrence Convention Center, will cover all the seats in the amphitheater
seating area.
“The
concept is a natural for the North Shore,” Wagner said. “It
should enhance the area as a popular destination center, and aesthetically,
complement Heinz Field and PNC Park and any future development.”
A 64,000-square-foot
plaza will be located on the westside of the complex that can accommodate
various festival-type events.
The design
also includes indoor, club-type space that can be programmed for year-round
musical acts and artists.
In addition
to the North Shore Amphitheater, Wagner has been the principal architect
in numerous projects, including the 600,000-square-foot Circuit City Corporate
Headquarters in Richmond, Va., the new Levine Museum of the New South
in Charlotte, Wachovia Bank’s new 75,000 M urban mixed use development
in downtown Charlotte and currently design architect for Charlotte’s
new multi-modal train station. He also was involved in the design of various
NFL Stadium projects, including Heinz Field, Raymond James Stadium in
Tampa and Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte.
Construction
is scheduled to begin this spring.
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