Concord Hospitality plans to open Pittsburgh’s first Autograph Collection Hotel in the heart of the Oakland neighbourhood.

Construction began on the 167-room property, The Oaklander Hotel, last month.

The development team is led by Oakland Fifth Avenue Hotel Associates, a partnership between Concord and Callay Capital.

The new hotel will be located centrally to the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, Carlow College and University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre, and is expected to open in late 2018.

An Oakland original, the property will be a nod to the city’s glorious past and a freshly-fused look into the neighbourhood’s exciting future.

“The Autograph Collection is a remarkable group of upper upscale and luxury independent hotels with iconic properties located in gateway and emerging cities around the world,” said Mark Laport, co-founder, president, Concord.

“The Oaklander Hotel enriches Concord’s vision to create irresistible places within vibrant communities.”

The ten-story hotel will feature a rooftop lobby with an inspired lounge and restaurant, as well as 2,200 square feet of meeting space and a fitness centre.

There will be an independent, street-level restaurant located on Bigelow Blvd. and a coffee shop located on Lytton St.

Concord Hospitality has partnered with Marriott International on the development of new hotel brands for the last two decades.

“Oakland has continued its prominence as a centre for culture, education and innovation in Pittsburgh,” said Joshua Lavrinc, chief executive, Callay Capital.

“We are excited for The Oaklander Hotel and its impressive accommodations to harbour new intellectual and social collisions among visitors and locals alike.”