PHOTOS BY KARL HUDSON, KH HOME PHOTOS

For well over a century, 1616 Meadville St. has perched, seemingly precariously, over Pittsburgh. Despite the optics, the Fineview home on the city’s North Side is staying put.

“You worry about foundations, but I am impressed with this house,” says Realtor Mary Verratti, who also happens to own the home. “When they built these houses, the sandstone foundations were several feet thick. This place isn’t going anywhere — it is literally built into the hillside.”

Verratti bought the three-story home in 2021 after it had sat vacant for years. Already a resident of Fineview, the unique house, which was built in 1895, had been on her radar for some time. The previous owners raised their family in the home before relocating to a more accessible house nearby, she says.

Verratti says those previous owners, Frank and Pat, added many features to the 2,000-square-foot home, including the kitchen’s stunning engraved copper ceiling, as well as the home’s built-in light features.

“Frank is the kind of person that just knew how to build things,” Verratti adds.

Frank also carved many of the wooden signs bearing the names of local Pittsburgh parks, including one welcoming visitors to Fineview that has since been reclaimed by a colleague of Verratti’s; it now hangs over the fireplace as a nod to Frank’s contribution to the city.

Since purchasing the house, Verratti says she has leased it out as a furnished, short-term rental for events like Steeler games, as well as for longer periods to business folks looking for an extended stay in Pittsburgh. While the home has been popular and did well as a rental, she’s always felt it was designed to be truly lived in.

The four-bedroom home is now on the market for $420,000.

Verratti says the mechanics of the home, including everything from electrical work to the HVAC and the roof, were updated. Because of the “good bones” already in place, Verratti also was able to make bold design choices that paid off.

Working with a colleague with a keen sense of design, Verratti focused on highlighting the home’s quirkier aspects. Home clean-outs uncovered some architectural pieces that she used in the home, while pops of color, unexpected art and fixture choices throughout strike a balance between funky and functional. Much of the home’s furniture was also sourced locally.

“It’s a vibe,” Verratti says. “It’s a little vintagey to match the feel of the house. We kept all of the woodwork, the transoms and that eclectic vibe.”

The home’s first floor features a living room, dining room, a full bathroom and a well-appointed kitchen with breakfast bar. A large deck off of the rear of the home — recently updated and inspected by a structural engineer — offers extended living space during the warmer months.

The second floor has another bathroom and three more bedrooms, each lined with windows that bring in views of the city’s skyline on all sides.

The third floor, which has a bird’s eye view of Downtown, is the highlight of the entire house, according to Verratti.

“It is so quiet up there, you cannot even hear anyone else that is downstairs,” she says, “You have the city view; the Fourth of July is epic from there, among other city events.”

The third floor could function as a bedroom, studio or office space. In addition to a cozy cubby with pillows and television for lounging, there is also a wet bar and plentiful room for gathering.

When the home was not rented out, Verratti has hosted several events there, including an intimate wedding reception for her sister.

As a resident herself, Verratti bets the new owners will enjoy the Fineview community as much as she does. From walks to the North Shore to local community events, she’s thrilled with the infusion of energy in the neighborhood. Homes that sat vacant for years are being infused with new life, just like this one, she says.

“There are people that were born and raised here as well as people new to the community. The neighbors help one another out, and we all take care of the neighborhood stray cats,” she says. “There is such a good sense of community in Fineview.”

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: Fineview
Population: 1,115
Planes, Trains & Automobiles: Public transportation is a common way folks get around in the North Side, and there are plentiful bus stops in the area. Several T stops along the North Shore give residents access to Station Square and the South Hills. Ride shares are common and residents do not need a car. The Parkway North is a short drive from Perry South and Pittsburgh International Airport is easily accessed via car or bus. While Fineview is situated on a steep hill, residents are able to walk down to the businesses and parks in Central North Side.
Schools: Pittsburgh Public Schools (pghschools.org)
Neighborhood: Originally a streetcar suburb that developed around the turn of the 20th century, Fineview once had an incline called the Nunnery Hill Incline due to a convent in the community. Fineview is part of the North Side, which is composed of 18 neighborhoods — each with its own vibe. While there are businesses in Fineview and the North Side, the commercial district along McKnight Road is also just a short drive away. Fineview is a mix of single-family, owner-occupied homes and rental units; many people have been in the neighborhood for decades.