Philip Wilkinson, Principal, AE7

In an interview with Invest:, Philip Wilkinson, principal of AE7 Pittsburgh, said “promoting Pittsburgh as a live-work-play environment is our biggest focus,” as he discussed the challenges in downtown revitalization, noted key industry demands, and outlined how the organization is adapting to economic shifts while prioritizing innovative design and public spaces.

What changes over the last year have most impacted AE7’s Pittsburgh office, and in what ways?

The most significant impact on our office and the work we’re doing centers around advancing Pittsburgh as a vibrant live-work-play environment. This vision requires navigating complex factors such as interest rates, construction costs, and tariffs — all while maintaining positive momentum.

A major step forward has been the launch of 21 West, a transformative project investing in the North Shore. This development strengthens the city’s walkable urban fabric and creates a dynamic space for community life. Located next to PNC Park, it features 291 top-of-the-market multifamily residential units, setting a new standard for urban living in Pittsburgh.

One of the greatest challenges we face is attracting residential investment into the urban core, particularly Downtown and the North Side. As we shift from an office-centric model to a more balanced, community-focused environment, we continue to encounter headwinds — especially on the governmental front. A pro-development vision could help align public and private funding, making projects more viable and transforming Downtown into a destination where people can connect, celebrate, and experience the best of Pittsburgh.

Converting older office buildings into residential spaces remains a complex issue. While there has been investment to support this transition, the aging building stock poses significant challenges. The key lies in identifying which properties are best suited for reinvestment, redevelopment, or even demolition, to make way for financially feasible and future-ready projects.

In the post-COVID landscape — compounded by tariffs and fluctuating interest rates—our focus remains clear: to position Pittsburgh as a true live-work-play city, with Downtown residential development serving as a cornerstone for long-term growth.

Considering Pittsburgh’s push to revamp downtown spaces, how do projects like the Wood Street corridor reflect those revitalization efforts?

The Wood Street projects stand out as a powerful example of how private development can successfully partner with public services — including first responder stations — to revitalize a previously blighted block. These efforts not only restored historic buildings but also enhanced the surrounding public realm, breathing new life into the area.

Pittsburgh boasts a rich inventory of historic architecture, but unlocking its full potential requires creative and forward-thinking approaches to adaptive reuse. While the process is often complex, projects like Wood Street demonstrate what’s possible when vision, collaboration, and investment come together. They showcase the very best of Pittsburgh’s ability to honor its past while building for the future

In which industries are you seeing the most demand for your services?

Demand is emerging across industries, though many are still determining how to move forward amid today’s complex political and economic climate. One trend to watch is the increasing reliance on state and local funding for essential services that were traditionally supported at the federal level — a shift that could have lasting implications.

At the same time, there’s a renewed emphasis on public spaces—parks, plazas, and riverfronts — that foster community, enhance quality of life, and support health, wellness, and tourism. Visitors often express surprise at how much they enjoy Pittsburgh, thanks to its compact, walkable layout that seamlessly connects key districts like Downtown, the North Shore, the Cultural District, and the Strip District.

A standout example of this momentum is the upcoming Esplanade development, which is designed as a pedestrian first district also feature a ferris wheel as a day-one attraction. This project is designed to draw suburban visitors into the city, encouraging dining, riverfront activities, and transforming a former industrial site into a welcoming, park-like gateway to Pittsburgh. Initiatives like this — alongside major events such as next year’s NFL Draft—are helping to position Pittsburgh as a destination city for both local and national audiences.

What ongoing or emerging changes are you seeing in the architecture and design space, and how is AE7 Pittsburgh navigating them?

The industry is undergoing a shift toward innovation in building design, with a growing emphasis on quality over quantity — a response to rising construction costs and evolving user expectations. Whether it’s office, multifamily, retail, or residential space, the experience must be engaging and meaningful to attract and retain users.

This principle is especially evident in workplace design, where thoughtfully crafted, collaborative environments are encouraging employees to return to the office. These spaces not only support productivity but also help revitalize local businesses and foster stronger community connections.

Pittsburgh is making notable progress in this area. Projects like the Market Square renovation and high-profile events such as the NFL Draft are helping to showcase the city’s potential. Looking ahead, a multipronged strategy — leveraging strengths in healthcare, higher education, sports, entertainment, and tourism — will be essential to sustaining long-term growth and positioning Pittsburgh as a dynamic, future-ready city.

How have ongoing macroeconomic changes impacted your business, if at all?

Macroeconomic fluctuations — including tariffs and interest rates — have a direct and often unpredictable impact on project feasibility. For projects that require six to nine months for design and permitting, shifting financial conditions by the time construction begins can introduce significant cost uncertainty.

Larger developments must take a long-term view, anticipating a different economic and political landscape two to five years down the line. In contrast, smaller projects are more vulnerable to mid-cycle changes; even modest shifts in interest rates or tariffs can render them financially unviable.

Greater stability in these factors — even if costs remain elevated — would allow for more reliable planning and execution. Ultimately, the ability to anticipate, adapt, and respond to these challenges is critical for both our clients and our firm as we shape the future of development in Pittsburgh and beyond.

One of Pittsburgh’s most pressing challenges is how we continue to redefine the city in a post-industrial era. We’ve evolved through phases of information technology and biotech, and now face critical questions around the future of office space. What do we do with underutilized buildings? How can they be reimagined to contribute meaningfully to the public realm?

These questions are central as we reimagine Downtown, particularly the Golden Triangle. The goal is to reinvest in ways that transform it into a vibrant, post-pandemic urban space — one that is no longer solely dependent on office use. The outcome will determine whether Downtown remains a thriving center of activity or if energy and investment shift to other parts of the city.

Successfully navigating this transition will require vision, creativity, and collaboration, ensuring that Pittsburgh continues to grow as a dynamic, inclusive, and resilient urban environment.

Given the challenges posed by cost of construction and supply chain disruption since 2023, have you seen any improvement on those fronts?

The supply chain challenges we previously faced have largely resolved, and we’ve developed effective strategies to manage them. Our focus has shifted to sourcing products that are either unaffected by global disruptions or produced locally within the United States, which has significantly reduced risk. While some sectors—such as those involving transformers and large-scale utility infrastructure — still face hurdles, these can be anticipated and planned for.

Today, the primary concerns are rising construction costs and interest rates. While many projects begin with a strong vision, the key to success lies in finding creative and flexible solutions to bring that vision to life. This might involve alternative construction methods, material substitutions, or even removing certain elements from the design. The goal is to solve challenges creatively without compromising the core intent of the project. In architecture and engineering, this is the reality we navigate daily to make projects viable.

Interest rate reductions would certainly be welcome, but labor costs continue to rise, and most other expenses trend upward. It remains a delicate balancing act to maintain project feasibility. Our developer clients must be especially resourceful with their capital stack, often contributing more upfront to ensure financial viability. Their creativity and adaptability are essential in making these projects successful.

What are AE7 Pittsburgh’s top priorities and goals over the next two to three years, both locally and within your broader design strategy?

In Pittsburgh, our focus remains on enhancing the public realm and creating spaces where people can live, thrive, connect, celebrate, dine, and play. The riverfront is one of our greatest assets, and we continue to prioritize meaningful connections between new developments and this natural amenity — transforming them into memorable destinations. This commitment has long been a cornerstone of our work, and we pursue it through both large-scale initiatives and smaller, community-driven efforts.

Internationally, we’re engaged in master planning projects that aim to evolve into fully realized communities — places where people don’t just live, but truly flourish. Whether in Pittsburgh or abroad, our work is rooted in a singular purpose: creating spaces for people. Regardless of building type or location, our goal is to foster environments that support human connection, well-being, and vitality.