About this Location

Facility Overview

The Eleventh & Smallman Lot is a prominent open-air surface parking facility strategically positioned at 1101 Smallman Street on the boundary between Downtown Pittsburgh and the historic Strip District. Designed for effortless ingress and egress, the lot provides level surface parking with clear stall markings and ample maneuvering room between parking aisles. Because it is an open-air surface lot without an overhead deck or ceiling structures, there are no vertical clearance restrictions. This makes the facility an exceptional choice for standard passenger sedans as well as oversized pickup trucks, full-size SUVs, passenger vans, commercial utility vehicles, and vehicles with rooftop luggage carriers or bike racks that cannot enter standard low-clearance underground garages.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Situated at the vibrant nexus of commerce, entertainment, and history, the Eleventh & Smallman Lot serves as an essential parking base for several premier Pittsburgh destinations:

David L. Lawrence Convention Center: Located just across 11th Street (less than a 2-minute walk), making this lot one of the most convenient parking locations for trade shows, consumer expos, and national conventions.
Senator John Heinz History Center: Positioned directly across the adjacent block along Smallman Street, reachable within a 1- to 2-minute stroll.
The Historic Strip District: Step eastward into Pittsburgh\'s celebrated culinary hub, known for iconic purveyors such as Primanti Bros., Wholey\'s Fish Market, Pennsylvania Macaroni Company, and diverse artisanal coffee shops, boutique eateries, and weekend open-air street markets.
The Cultural District & Downtown Theaters: Venues like the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts, Byham Theater, and August Wilson African American Cultural Center are within a pleasant 7- to 12-minute walk down Penn or Liberty Avenues.
North Shore Stadiums (PNC Park & Acrisure Stadium): Fans can park here, enjoy a short walk across the Rachel Carson Bridge (9th Street) or Andy Warhol Bridge (7th Street), or catch the free light-rail connection downtown across the Allegheny River.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Accessing the lot is straightforward via Smallman Street or 11th Street, two critical arteries linking the Strip District directly with Downtown Pittsburgh. Drivers arriving from Interstate 279, Interstate 376 (Parkway East/West), or Interstate 579 (Crosstown Boulevard) will find convenient, direct arterial connections via the 10th Street Bypass, Liberty Avenue, or Fort Duquesne Boulevard. For multimodal travelers, Pittsburgh\'s Union Station (Amtrak / The Pennsylvanian) sits only two blocks away, and major Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) bus routes stop along Liberty Avenue and Penn Avenue. Downtown\'s \'T\' Light Rail stations (including Wood Street and Steel Plaza) are also within a comfortable walking distance, providing free transit rides to the North Shore and Golden Triangle destinations.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Open-air surface parking configuration with zero height restrictions.
Spacious drive aisles facilitating straightforward turn-ins and three-point maneuvers.
Automated self-service pay-by-plate digital kiosks accepting major credit and debit cards.
Mobile app payment support via services such as ParkMobile or meter-by-phone platforms.
Designated accessible ADA parking stalls positioned near pedestrian egress pathways.
High-visibility area lighting and wide perimeter sightlines for evening and nighttime parking.

Ideal For

Convention Attendees & Exhibitors: Immediate proximity to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center eliminates long transit times.
Strip District Weekend Visitors: Ideal for food lovers, shoppers, and tourists exploring the bustling weekend market stalls.
Downtown Commuters: A reliable alternative to congested core downtown garages, featuring fast highway connections.
Museum Visitors: Steps away from the Smithsonian-affiliated Senator John Heinz History Center.
Event & Theater Patrons: Convenient parking for evening performances in the Downtown Cultural District.

Visitor & Driver Tips

During major conventions, boat shows, comic expos, and weekend Strip District shopping peaks, this lot can experience rapid surges in demand. Drivers attending ticketed events or weekend excursions are encouraged to arrive early in the morning or mid-afternoon between peak turnover periods. Pay close attention to posted event rate signage on game days and high-attendance convention weekends, as flat-rate event tariffs may replace standard hourly meters. Always note your license plate number before approaching the automated pay machines to streamline your payment process.