Ep. 7: Creative Placemaking & Adaptive Reuse | Jeremy Waldrup, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership

Ep. 7: Creative Placemaking & Adaptive Reuse | Jeremy Waldrup, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership

Video Description:

What is creative placemaking—and why does it matter for downtown revitalization today?

In this episode of Did It Close?, we sit down with Jeremy Waldrup, President & CEO of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, to break down how creative placemaking and adaptive reuse are reshaping urban cores across America.

As cities navigate post-pandemic office vacancy, shifting residential demand, and changing workforce dynamics, creative placemaking has emerged as a powerful framework for economic resilience. Jeremy shares real-world insights from downtown Pittsburgh, including office-to-residential conversions, public-private partnerships, and transformational civic investment strategies.

We discuss:

What creative placemaking actually means in urban development

The economic and environmental benefits of adaptive reuse

Why downtowns must compete on quality of life

How public investment can unlock private capital

Lessons from Oklahoma City’s MAPS program and Tulsa’s Gathering Place

The future of office buildings and mixed-use development

Whether you're a commercial real estate broker, developer, investor, or city leader, this episode offers practical insights on building resilient, vibrant downtowns.

About Jeremy Waldrup

Jeremy Waldrup leads the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, driving strategy around safety, vibrancy, sustainability, and economic growth. With prior experience in New York City government and urban economic development, he brings a national perspective to local transformation.

🎙 About Did It Close?

Hosted by Bryan McCann (SVP, Colliers) and David Dirkschneider (EVP, Colliers), Did It Close? is a commercial real estate podcast focused on deals, development strategy, and market intelligence for CRE professionals.

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#CreativePlacemaking #AdaptiveReuse #CommercialRealEstate #DowntownRevitalization #UrbanDevelopment #CRE #OfficeToResidential