The story
Welcome to the bustling heart of the city, a space that has been the social and commercial soul of our community since long before the skyscrapers moved in. As you stand here in Market Square, you are walking on ground that was first surveyed in 1764. The most common question visitors ask is, Why do locals sometimes call this place the Diamond?
The answer isn't about jewelry or hidden treasure. In the 18th century, a diamond was a traditional term for a town square designed to act as a central hub. If you look at the layout, you can still see how the streets intersect to create this open, geometric heart.
Another frequent question is, Was it always this open and airy? Not at all. For nearly two centuries, this square was dominated by massive, enclosed market houses.
Imagine the smell of fresh horses, piles of local produce, and the loud bartering of thousands of residents. This was the city’s first grocery store, its first town hall, and even its first jail. In fact, right over there, the very first newspaper west of the Allegheny Mountains, the Pittsburgh Gazette, began its life in 1786.
Look up at the towering, neo-Gothic glass spires looming just to the side. Guests always ask if that’s a cathedral. That is actually PPG Place, often called the Glass Castle.
It’s made of nearly one million square feet of silver-tinted glass. It provides a stunning, modern contrast to the historic low-rise buildings that line the square. One of those historic gems is Nicholas Coffee Company.
If you catch a whiff of roasting beans, that’s where it’s coming from. They have been roasting on this very spot since 1919, making them a true anchor of the square's history. People also wonder about the ground beneath their feet.
The square underwent a massive renovation to become the European-style piazza you see today, trading in bus lanes and exhaust for pedestrian-friendly Belgian blocks and cafe seating. It was designed to pull people together, whether for the bustling Farmers Market, the whimsical Christmas Village, or just a quick lunch from the nearby Primanti Brothers. So, the next time your guests ask what makes this place special, tell them it’s the only spot in the city where 250 years of history, the smell of fresh-ground coffee, and a futuristic glass castle all meet for lunch.
Take a moment to grab a seat, watch the pigeons, and feel the rhythm of a city that has been meeting right here for generations.