HNTB-designed complex brings training, recovery, sports medicine and competition together in a connected student-athlete environment
Pittsburgh, Pa. (August 13, 2026) — HNTB joins the University of Pittsburgh in celebrating the opening of the Victory Heights Arena and Sports Performance Center, an HNTB-designed sports performance center and 3,600-seat arena that creates a dedicated home for the university’s Olympic sports programs. Replacing the Fitzgerald Field House, the complex brings training, recovery, sports medicine and competition together.
Built into a steeply sloped site with more than 100 feet of elevation change, Victory Heights turns that edge of campus into a connected athletics and student-life destination. The facility preserves and strengthens pedestrian movement through the site, links to surrounding recreation and residential development and extends the campus landscape through a publicly accessible green roof.
“The most successful athletics projects do more than serve the event. They shape the daily life around them,” said Ryan Gedney, chief design officer at HNTB. “Victory Heights gives Pitt’s Olympic sports programs a dedicated home for training and competition, while turning a hillside site into a connected, active part of campus.”
Reframing the Student-Athlete Environment
At the core of the project is a more complete model for supporting Olympic sports on campus. The Sports Performance Center brings training, recovery, nutrition, sports medicine and mental health resources into one environment serving 16 of Pitt’s 19 varsity programs, alongside dedicated training spaces for gymnastics, volleyball, wrestling and spirit programs.
Natural light reaches every primary training space, a defining design principle that supports both physical performance and overall well-being. Hydrotherapy, outdoor turf training, athlete lounge areas and open vertical connections reinforce the building as a daily home for training, recovery and connection.
“We wanted the building to feel active and connected,” said Robbie Powell, senior project designer at HNTB. “Daylight, views and open circulation became ways to tie the athlete experience together, from sports medicine and strength training to the dedicated team spaces. You can feel the movement of the building, and you can also understand where you are.”
A Right-Sized Arena for Olympic Sports
The adjacent Victory Heights Arena establishes a dedicated 3,000-seat home for Pitt volleyball, wrestling and gymnastics. Intentionally scaled for intensity and proximity, the venue strengthens the connection between athletes and spectators while supporting a range of event configurations through a telescopic lower bowl.
Modern game presentation, team amenities and premium fan spaces help elevate the competition environment while giving Pitt’s Olympic sports programs a stronger recruiting and game day platform.
Architecture Shaped by Movement and Campus Connectivity
Architecturally, Victory Heights is expressed as two distinct but connected volumes: the Sports Performance Center and the competition arena. Between them, a central wedge space preserves pedestrian circulation through the site and creates a public entry sequence shaped by the campus’s steep topography.
A bridge connection links the green roof to adjacent campus pathways, while the building’s exterior reinforces movement through the site and the activity within.
A New Campus and Community Anchor
Victory Heights extends beyond athletics to serve as a shared campus asset. The green roof creates new outdoor gathering space, while the building’s connections to adjacent recreation and residential areas strengthen its role as a daily-use destination.
“Victory Heights is a world-class facility built around how our student-athletes train, recover and compete every day,” said University of Pittsburgh Director of Athletics C. Allen Greene. “It gives our coaches a real recruiting advantage and provides a first-class experience for our fans. I’m excited to watch our teams compete in this space!”
By integrating training, competition and campus life, Victory Heights reflects Pitt’s investment in athletic excellence, student well-being and design-driven campus connectivity.