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Beacon Communities Celebrates Letsche School Ribbon Cutting and First & Market Building Groundbreaking
139 New Units of Affordable Housing to Transform Downtown Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH, PA – Beacon Communities celebrated two major projects that will improve the affordable housing landscape in Pittsburgh’s urban core: the groundbreaking of the First & Market building and the ribbon cutting at the Letsche School Apartments. These adaptive reuses of two of Pittsburgh’s historic buildings underscore Beacon’s commitment to revitalizing Pittsburgh through affordable housing, effective partnerships, and community-focused development.

Dara Kovel, CEO of Beacon Communities and Michel Polite, Senior Vice President of Development in Pittsburgh for Beacon Communities both spoke at the event. Joining Beacon leadership to celebrate these milestones were, Mayor Ed Gainey, Councilman R. Daniel Lavelle, Robin Wiessmann, Executive Director and CEO, Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), and Michelle Sandidge, Chief Community Affairs Officer of the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP).

The First & Market building will introduce 93 affordable senior housing units to Pittsburgh’s downtown, complete with accessibility features, sustainable building practices, and proximity to public transit, healthcare, and other downtown amenities. The Letsche School Apartments transformed a historic school in the Crawford-Roberts neighborhood of the Lower Hill District into a 46-unit mixed-income housing community, featuring amenities like a playground, community room, green spaces, and on-site resident services including financial literacy programs, job training, and child development support.

“Our work on developments like the Letsche School Apartments and the First & Market building is driven by the belief that everyone deserves a home where they can thrive,” said Dara Kovel, CEO, Beacon Communities. “These projects reflect Beacon’s commitment to breathing new life into historic structures and strengthening neighborhoods.”

“The affordable housing projects led by Beacon Communities demonstrate what can be achieved when committed partners come together to meet critical housing needs,” said Robin Wiessmann, PHFA Executive Director and CEO. “The Letsche School Apartments and First and Market building are terrific examples of how we can preserve the city’s history while creating sustainable, affordable housing options for Pittsburgh’s residents.”

“A home is not a luxury, it should be a right afforded to every resident in our city. While my administration is working to increase and diversify the supply of housing in Pittsburgh to lower housing costs, I am grateful for the work that Beacon Communities is doing to develop a more inclusive housing market,” said Mayor Ed Gainey. “Many of our neighbors face extraordinary barriers to finding housing they can afford and are doing their very best to survive. Affordable housing strengthens our neighborhoods and provides stability for families and seniors alike. These new projects represent a critical investment in our communities and will move us closer to making sure Pittsburgh is a city for all.”

“The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) and its development arm, Allies & Ross Management and Development Corp. (ARMDC), are thankful for the many partnerships we have within the Greater Pittsburgh Region to help expand the city’s affordable housing portfolio with projects like First & Market and Letsche School Apartments,” said Caster D. Binion, Executive Director, HACP. “The adaptive reuse of these buildings not only provides much-needed housing to residents in need but also preserves pieces of Pittsburgh’s history for generations to come. Investing in Project-Based Voucher/Gap-Financing endeavors is one of many ways the HACP is continuing its mission to bring a higher quality of life to City of Pittsburgh residents.”

Both projects honor Pittsburgh’s rich history. The Letsche School, originally built in 1907, served as a community learning hub for over a century before being added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. Now revitalized, it maintains its historic façade while offering modern amenities to families. The First & Market building, an 11-story office building in Downtown Pittsburgh, will continue its legacy as a central feature of the city’s urban landscape. The development preserves the building’s architectural character while repurposing it for senior housing, contributing to the downtown revitalization.

The First & Market building and the Letsche School Apartments are more examples of Beacon’s expertise in securing diverse funding sources. Letsche was funded through a $19.2 million mix of state, local, and private support, including $11.8 million in Low Income Housing Tax Credit equity and $2.5 million in Historic Tax Credit equity, as well as support from Chase Bank and Key Bank. First & Market’s $40.8 million budget includes support from PNC, Key Bank, HACP, and the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), ensuring accessibility for seniors with incomes between 20% and 60% AMI. Beacon Communities anticipates a completion period of 18 months for this project, aiming to provide new housing options for seniors by mid-2026.

Beacon Communities’ Letsche School Apartments and First & Market projects represent the next chapter in Pittsburgh’s housing evolution, combining historic preservation with modern, community-focused amenities. These projects affirm Beacon’s commitment to creating equitable housing solutions that improve quality of life and revitalize neighborhoods.

For event photos, please visit this Google Drive link.

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