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Listen Now to WYEP’s Pittsburgh Performance Project audio profile of Civic Arena


Civic Arena


Civic Arena
The Civic Arena, now known as Mellon Arena.
Image courtesy Stephan Bontrager

"They’re going to build a new arena…are we rewriting the same history of the past 60 years?" – Carl Redwood Jr., Chair of the One Hill Coalition

When over 1,600 families were displaced from the Lower Hill District to make way for Civic Arena in the late 1950’s, the silver dome was a symbol of controversy from the moment it was built. There were no arguments, though, that the venue was ahead of its time when it opened in 1962. Its 3,000-ton, stainless steel dome was the largest in the world, an engineering marvel with a roof that retracted in two minutes to reveal the night sky.

Civic Arena Map

Originally built to house the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, Civic Arena (now Mellon Arena) became the eventual home of the Pittsburgh Penguins but was equally known as a venue for concert spectacles. The Beatles played there in 1964, The Doors recorded an album at the Arena in 1970, and 1976 saw Elvis Presley’s last-ever New Year’s Eve concert before The King died eight months later.

A new arena is planned for 2010, reigniting the debate over Hill District development and efforts from preservationists who hate to see the demolition of one of Pittsburgh’s most iconic venues for larger-than-life concerts.