BITZ OPERA FACTORY
- About
- Seasons
- Tickets
- Support
- Education
- Resident Artists
- Our Team
- Facilities
- Current Media Releases
- Pittsburgh Opera celebrates Mary Cardwell Dawson and Black Opera in Pittsburgh
- Pittsburgh Opera to offer free childcare during La Traviata matinee
- Pittsburgh Opera announces its 86th Season
- Pittsburgh Opera announces first of its kind rideshare voucher program
- Pittsburgh Opera presents both old and new operas this winter
- Pittsburgh Opera presents beloved favorites, rare gems, and free concerts this fall
- Pittsburgh Opera announces new Board of Directors President and Members
- Pittsburgh Opera announces its 2023-24 Resident Artists
- Pittsburgh Opera's 2023 Piano Sale is Aug. 24-27
- Robert and Christine Pietrandrea commit $500,000 to sponsor Pittsburgh Opera productions
- Pittsburgh Opera presents two modern operas in May during international opera conference
- Emily Richter a Grand Finals Winner of Metropolitan Opera’s Laffont Competition
![A close-up of the Pittsburgh Opera sign on the outside of the Bitz Opera Factory A close-up of the Pittsburgh Opera sign on the outside of the Bitz Opera Factory](https://pittsburghopera.org/hs-fs/hubfs/PO_HQ_778_x_320.jpg?width=778&height=320&name=PO_HQ_778_x_320.jpg)
In April 2008, Pittsburgh Opera moved into its new home at 2425 Liberty Avenue in the Strip District. The building not only has a deep connection to Pittsburgh’s storied past – it was built as George Westinghouse’s original air brake factory in 1869 – but gives Pittsburgh Opera a bright future.
In 2021, in grateful recognition of Francois Bitz's exceptional generosity and long affiliation with the company, Pittsburgh Opera was proud to re-name its headquarters in the Strip District, the Bitz Opera Factory.
At 45,000 square feet, the $8 million project features offices, 4,000 square feet of rehearsal spaces, costume, wig, and makeup shops, and a kitchen, meeting the “multimedia” requirements of opera. The renovation resulted in Silver-level LEED certification in the Operations and Maintenance category in June 2011, and incorporates the site’s exposed brick interiors, 150 historically-accurate windows and original metal fire safes.
Pittsburgh Opera’s building was designed by IKM. A new wrap-around metal, neon, and LEED sign was designed by Bill Kolano. Contractor is Massaro Corporation.
![The Bitz Opera Factory is the original home of the George Westinghouse Air Brake Factory. The air brake revolutionized railroad transportation.](https://pittsburghopera.org/hubfs/PO_HQ_1_679_x_373.jpg)
The Bitz Opera Factory is the original home of the George Westinghouse Air Brake Factory. The air brake revolutionized railroad transportation.
![Guests enter the Bitz Opera Factory through this casual, welcoming lobby.](https://pittsburghopera.org/hubfs/PO_HQ_8_679_x_373.jpg)
Guests enter the Bitz Opera Factory through this casual, welcoming lobby.
![The](https://pittsburghopera.org/hubfs/PO_HQ_9_679_x_373.jpg)
The "Garage" Conference room has corrugated siding and a clear glass garage door entry.
![The George R. White Opera Studio is the home of many of our community events, including Brown Bag concerts.](https://pittsburghopera.org/hubfs/PO_HQ_2_679_x_373.jpg)
The George R. White Opera Studio is the home of many of our community events, including Brown Bag concerts.
![Our Five Founders are honored with a memorial plaque in our most-used public space.](https://pittsburghopera.org/hubfs/PO_HQ_2_714_x_392.jpg)
Our Five Founders are honored with a memorial plaque in our most-used public space.
![Our Wardrobe department stores everything from shoes to corsets to scarves to jewelry, and manufactures costumes when needed.](https://pittsburghopera.org/hubfs/PO_HQ_679_x_373.jpg)
Our Wardrobe department stores everything from shoes to corsets to scarves to jewelry, and manufactures costumes when needed.
![The wig and makeup area, located within the Wardrobe department.](https://pittsburghopera.org/hubfs/PO_HQ_7_679_x_373.jpg)
The wig and makeup area, located within the Wardrobe department.
![The Library holds a treasure trove of books, scores, libretti, recordings, industry magazines, and more.](https://pittsburghopera.org/hubfs/PO_HQ_3_714_x_392.jpg)
The Library holds a treasure trove of books, scores, libretti, recordings, industry magazines, and more.
![Detail from the top of George Westinghouse's metal safe.](https://pittsburghopera.org/hubfs/PO_HQ_3_679_x_373.jpg)
Detail from the top of George Westinghouse's metal safe.
![Pittsburgh Opera is LEED Certified Silver in the Operations and Maintenance category.](https://pittsburghopera.org/hubfs/PO_HQ_4_714_x_392.jpg)
Pittsburgh Opera is LEED Certified Silver in the Operations and Maintenance category.
![Pittsburgh Opera is LEED Certified Silver in the Operations and Maintenance category.](https://pittsburghopera.org/hubfs/PO_HQ_1_714_x_392.jpg)
Pittsburgh Opera is LEED Certified Silver in the Operations and Maintenance category.
![The Bitz Opera Factory is the original home of the George Westinghouse Air Brake Factory. The air brake revolutionized railroad transportation.](https://pittsburghopera.org/hubfs/PO_HQ_1_679_x_373.jpg)
![Guests enter the Bitz Opera Factory through this casual, welcoming lobby.](https://pittsburghopera.org/hubfs/PO_HQ_8_679_x_373.jpg)
![The](https://pittsburghopera.org/hubfs/PO_HQ_9_679_x_373.jpg)
![The George R. White Opera Studio is the home of many of our community events, including Brown Bag concerts.](https://pittsburghopera.org/hubfs/PO_HQ_2_679_x_373.jpg)
![Our Five Founders are honored with a memorial plaque in our most-used public space.](https://pittsburghopera.org/hubfs/PO_HQ_2_714_x_392.jpg)
![Our Wardrobe department stores everything from shoes to corsets to scarves to jewelry, and manufactures costumes when needed.](https://pittsburghopera.org/hubfs/PO_HQ_679_x_373.jpg)
![The wig and makeup area, located within the Wardrobe department.](https://pittsburghopera.org/hubfs/PO_HQ_7_679_x_373.jpg)
![The Library holds a treasure trove of books, scores, libretti, recordings, industry magazines, and more.](https://pittsburghopera.org/hubfs/PO_HQ_3_714_x_392.jpg)
![Detail from the top of George Westinghouse's metal safe.](https://pittsburghopera.org/hubfs/PO_HQ_3_679_x_373.jpg)
![Pittsburgh Opera is LEED Certified Silver in the Operations and Maintenance category.](https://pittsburghopera.org/hubfs/PO_HQ_4_714_x_392.jpg)
![Pittsburgh Opera is LEED Certified Silver in the Operations and Maintenance category.](https://pittsburghopera.org/hubfs/PO_HQ_1_714_x_392.jpg)
BITZ OPERA FACTORY SPACE RENTALS
![slide-plus](https://pittsburghopera.org/hs-fs/hubfs/slide-plus.png?width=42&height=42&name=slide-plus.png)
![slide-minus](https://pittsburghopera.org/hs-fs/hubfs/slide-minus.png?width=42&height=42&name=slide-minus.png)
![A black and white photo of a woman in a wedding dress and a man in a tux kissing in front of the Bitz Opera Factory](https://pittsburghopera.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Space_Rental_PO_HQ_240_x_180.jpg?width=240&height=180&name=Space_Rental_PO_HQ_240_x_180.jpg)
Katelyn Rose Photography
Go to "Hold Your Event at Pittsburgh Opera" for details and specifications about renting our space for weddings, meetings, and other events.