PHOTOS BY DYLAN GENTHNER, EXPOSURE IT REAL ESTATE MEDIA

When Lauren Rost and Conor Colgan bought their house in the summer of 2020, they learned they are likely only the third owners of the 1900s-era row home at 154 45th St. in Lawrenceville.

“The previous owners had raised their two daughters in the home, and told us stories of the 45th Street block parties and the daughters’ wedding celebrations in the home with the Lawrenceville community,” the couple says in an email. “We could immediately feel the love in the home when we first walked through the front door.” 

It also checked all their boxes — at an affordable price point. 

“We instantly fell in love with the space as we stepped inside and found it had everything we needed,” they wrote. 

The brick row home measures just under 1,200 square feet, but the layout and design choices make the compact home feel spacious and bright. 

“The first impression upon entry is special,” says Emily Fraser of Piatt Sotheby’s International Realty.  “Ceilings are tall, the light is bright and the original pine wood floors and terracotta-colored brick fireplace are quintessential Lawrenceville.” 

Now listed for $299,900, the home has undergone some crucial updates since the couple purchased the home, including new HVAC, a complete rewiring and a French drain system installed in the basement.  

Visitors are greeted by a sweet little front porch that enters directly into a living room with an exposed brick wall. A spacious eat-in kitchen in the rear opens onto a brick patio ringed with string lights — a perfect city oasis for grilling, entertaining or reading. A roof over a portion of the patio means it’s still usable on those frequently rainy Pittsburgh days. 

Fresh white paint and hardwood floors throughout are a neutral backdrop for whatever design choices the next owner may make. There are also updated stainless-steel appliances and a spacious pantry in the kitchen. 

Fraser says she also likes the options the home offers. The second floor features one standard bedroom, the home’s sole bathroom and a flex room.  

“The bathroom is captive to a bonus room on the second floor; his space would make for the most epic walk-in closet,” says Fraser. 

It could also be a great home office or nursery until the children are ready to move upstairs. On the third floor and two more nicely sized bedrooms. 

“We loved being able to host friends and family so comfortably, while also having a space that served as a home office as well,” Rost and Colgan wrote.

For both the owners and listing agent, the home’s location is just as much of a draw as the house itself. 

“With city hot spots like Lawrenceville becoming increasingly more expensive, this home has a lot going for it at an affordable price point,” says Fraser.  

Rost and Colgan say this home has grown with them through their engagement and recent marriage. While they are ready for the next chapter, they loved living in one of the city’s most vibrant neighborhoods. 

“We will miss the proximity to all of the great Lawrenceville offerings,” the couple wrote. “The easy walks to breweries, fantastic food options, food trucks galore, gyms, and dog parks.”

Meg St-Esprit is a Bellevue-based freelance journalist who covers real estate, lifestyle, education, parenting and travel for a variety of local outlets including Pittsburgh Magazine, PublicSource, Kidsburgh, Pittsburgh City Paper, and City Cast Pittsburgh. Meg offers Hot Property, an inside look into unique and historic homes on the market. Each week, Hot Property goes behind the For Sale sign to share the story of a special Pittsburgh-area home.

About: Central Lawrenceville
Population: 4,730
Planes, Trains & Automobiles: Residents of Central Lawrenceville do not need to own a car, and many don’t. This home does not include a dedicated parking space, though street parking is available. The city is constantly improving bike infrastructure though, and Lawrenceville is becoming more and more bike friendly. There are also plentiful bus routes and rideshares available. It’s a walkable community where many errands can be accomplished by foot, and access to all of the city’s major arteries is simple. The airport is an easy jaunt on I-376, or accessible via the Airport Flyer with one bus transfer.
Schools: Pittsburgh Public Schools (pghschools.org)
Neighborhood: Lawrenceville, which is technically composed of Lower Lawrenceville, Central Lawrenceville, and Upper Lawrenceville, is a bustling hub of restaurants and retail shops interspersed with historical row homes and multi unit buildings. Local businesses and chains dot the business district, providing residents with nearly everything they need within walking distance. While Lawrenceville is a booming housing market with soaring prices, many residents still report a strong neighborly feel to the community and enjoy block parties and local festivals regularly. 

Neighborhood Data provided by Niche