PHOTOS BY 360 CAPTURES

While there’s no shortage of condos and townhomes in Pittsburgh, there are many factors that make certain units stand out. Location, layout and association fees all play a part in choosing the perfect home.

According to Realtors Abby Wilson and Emily Askin, their latest listing, part of the Fox Way Commons on Pittsburgh’s South Side, checks every box. The unit at 1726 Wharton St. is listed by both agents, who co-own the Askin Wilson Group at Compass Real Estate.

“We had never been to Fox Way Commons before researching this property, and were absolutely blown away by this little community,” the duo said in an email. “The warehouse conversion was done really tastefully in the ‘90s, and the location is just unreal.”

This two-bedroom, one-bathroom home measures just over 1,200 square feet. Built in 1995 when a former warehouse was artfully converted into a new community, this unit has had recent upgrades to bring it into the 21st century.

Listed for $268,500 after a recent price reduction, the condo association fees are $125 per month—making this unit quite affordable in today’s housing market.

With a wall of windows and a sunken living room, the unit feels inviting and large from that first step in through the front door. Owner Ethan George, who bought the unit with his partner in 2021, says the peaceful vibe was enticing to him.

“I chose this house because I love the South Side, but wanted something quiet where I could write and get outside easily without a ton of yard maintenance,” he says.

While East Carson Street is known for its restaurants, retail shops and robust nightlife, this home’s location near the banks of the Monongahela River offered George the quiet retreat he was looking for — without sacrificing any convenience.

“Somehow, despite being in the thick of so much activity, it’s incredibly peaceful and you would never know East Carson Street is so close,” added Wilson and Askin.

The kitchen was upgraded in 2024 with new cabinetry and updated stainless steel appliances. The owners also added new hardwood floors to the living area. There is ample storage in the kitchen as well as open flow between the kitchen and dining/living space.

Finishes throughout the home are simple, bright and clean. While there’s no ornate woodwork, a characteristic of many of Pittsburgh’s homes, the crisp lines and multi-level living of this unit feels refreshing.

“We both live in big old houses and we adore them, but this was an opportunity to work in a simpler, more modern setting,” said Wilson and Askin.

The backdrop provided endless inspiration for Askin, who is responsible for staging the team’s listings. The soaring ceilings and open floor plan felt like a fresh canvas for her designer eye.

When walking up to the bedrooms, the staircase is overlooked by massive two-story windows. Combined with skylights, the second floor of this townhome is akin to sleeping in a luxury treehouse.

On this level, the primary bedroom shares a bathroom with a second room that can function as a bedroom, office or studio. The rooms are open, loft-style, to the level below. This allows for privacy while also letting natural light filter throughout the entire second story.

Dedicated off-street parking and a storage unit attached to the townhome make enjoying recreation in the Pittsburgh region easy. Whether residents are taking a bike down to the nearby Great Allegheny Passage for an afternoon ride or stowing skis for winter sports in the nearby Laurel Highlands, there’s space to store and transport it all — even without a garage.

“The right person for this townhouse is looking for affordable, simple, easy and sophisticated living,” said the realtors when picturing the perfect buyer. “They know they need their Vitamin D, so they are desperately seeking a light-drenched space with ridiculously low monthly fees and easy access to every kind of food, park, and activity they can imagine.”

George says the community is what he will miss most about this home, aside from the aforementioned amazing natural light.

“The neighbors are super friendly, and the bike trails are just amazing,” he says. “We spent a lot of time at Delanie’s Coffee, and I’m going to miss Sunday brunches at The Zenith.”

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: SouthSide Flats
Population: 6,430
Planes, Trains, & Automobiles: Located within minutes of most of Pittsburgh’s major arteries, the South Side Flats is a great location for residents who need to access the airport regularly via Interstate 376 or Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s Airport Flyer route. The South Side is extremely walkable, and residents enjoy many amenities without having to leave their community. There are plentiful bus stops in the neighborhood, and the T can be picked up easily from Station Square for access to the South Hills, Downtown or the North Shore.
Schools: Pittsburgh Public Schools (pghschools.org)
Neighborhood: The South Side Flats is home to many commercial spaces, including restaurants, bars and retail shops. It’s also a popular night spot that can draw raucous crowds on weekends. Residents can walk to small delis and local eateries as well as an Aldi and a Cheesecake Factory in the SouthSide Works complex. It’s an eclectic and diverse community with a wide range of residents, from students in apartments to character homes. The South Side is also home to the largest clock face in the country— just one of the neighborhood’s many claims to fame.

Neighborhood data provided by Niche