PHOTOS BY 360 CAPTURES LLC

Looking to ditch suburban life for an urban environment, Gustav and Susan Eles found themselves house hunting in Pittsburgh 13 years ago; the culture and convenience of city life were calling to them.

“We raised our kids in Sewickley, relocated to North Carolina for a season, and when we decided to move back to Pittsburgh, I said, ‘Let’s try something different,’” says Susan.

During their search for the ideal home, they came across 701 Ivy St. in Shadyside — and were instantly captured by the property’s warmth and charm.

The three-story brick home stood out for several reasons, according to Susan. Surprisingly, the first detail that jumped out at her was the property’s fence and small, tidy yard. After decades of yard work, the couple loved the idea of a small greenspace for their two Rhodesian Ridgebacks that required little maintenance.

The easy access to Frick Park, Highland Park and Schenley Park meant the couple never felt hobbled by the home’s lack of acreage either. In addition to the large city parks, there’s also a playground at the elementary school across from the property.

“People go to play basketball; it’s a pretty active park,” Susan says. “I have just always loved the sound of children laughing and playing.”

Beyond the location and curb appeal, the home also immediately felt like … home.

“I think it’s a handsome house,” says Susan. “The windows are huge and they are all different shapes. It brings in so much light.”

Susan says the property’s previous owners had completed most of the major updates to the century-old home, making sure to preserve its historical details.

Though new to the city, Gustav and Susan easily adapted to urban life. They grew to love the walkability of the neighborhood, the plentiful coffee shops and the strong community connections that abound in Shadyside.

Their house is often the topic of neighborhood chatter, adds Susan. At one point, the 3,700-square-foot property was divided into apartments, and many former residents have fond memories of the large home on the corner.

Throughout the years, those folks have stopped by or mailed letters to the home, sharing bits of its story. One former resident sent a letter to her old address just to let the current residents know what the home meant to her. Another time, a man stopped by with a baby in a stroller to chat about the house.

“He told me he grew up here,” says Susan. “So many folks have memories at this house. It’s a favorite in the neighborhood, apparently.”

The property itself has also spent some time in the limelight; its exterior was used in the 1990s-era sitcom “Hope & Gloria,” which starred Alan Thicke, and made an appearance in a horror film that was set on a fictional Boston street.

Susan recalls an opportunity she had to attend a local architecture class at Carnegie Mellon University with Robert Jucha; there she learned about plat books — which contain maps that concentrate on land ownership, acreage and parcel boundaries — and learned that her home was the last one constructed on her block of Ivy Street when it was built in 1911.

After more than a decade of their city adventure, Susan and Gustav have decided to downsize and move closer to extended family. They’ve listed the house with Julie Rost of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices for $1.3 million.

“It is a turnkey property in every way,” says Rost. “This house is ideal for expanding families, empty nesters moving into the city from the ‘burbs, folks who want to be near UPMC or Pitt facilities — you name it.”

Wide front steps lead visitors through a stately vestibuled double-entry door framed by leaded glass. A grand staircase leads to the two upper floors of living space, while the central hall opens into a spacious living room, dining room and kitchen.

Coffered ceilings, a marble fireplace, wood floors and updated appliances and cabinetry blend the historical charm of the home with modern convenience.

Located off of the kitchen, the rear deck is a favored spot for entertaining; its mature trees and landscaping provide a soothing oasis.

“We love just sitting outside with candles and lanterns and having a drink; it’s wonderful for congregating,” says Susan.

Realtor Stephanie Gleason of Berkshire Hathaway is equally captivated by the deck.

“It flows from the kitchen and feels like an outdoor living room, private, peaceful and green,” she says.

The home’s upper two floors contain five bedrooms, each with their own unique quirks and features. The second floor primary suite has a bright, updated bathroom and tons of space. Susan has long thought a large walk-in closet with a picture window would make a great nursery,

On the third floor, the ceilings are just as high as the main floor, and an excess of windows means it doesn’t feel anything like an attic. Three bedrooms share a full bathroom, though the couple has used one bedroom as a family room.

“There are mature trees around the third floor, so it feels like you are in a treehouse,” says Susan.

About: Shadyside
Population: 14,317
Planes, Trains & Automobiles: A 25-minute commute to the airport. Daily transport via Port Authority, bike lanes, rideshare. On-street and metered parking.
Schools: City of Pittsburgh (pghschools.org)
Neighborhood: The desirable Pittsburgh neighborhood has three lively business districts along Walnut Street, Ellsworth Avenue and Centre and South Highland avenues. There is a wealth of shops, restaurants, retail and yoga studios within a 3-mile radius. Other amenities include UPMC Shadyside hospital, Chatham University and several historic churches that serve as anchors in the community, including Third Presbyterian Church, Calvary Episcopal and Sacred Heart Catholic Church.