This Bellevue Home’s Address? A Set of City Stairs

PHOTOS BY FLYOVER PROPERTIES

Is there anything more Pittsburgh than a home whose address is a set of city steps — and that has a skyline view of Downtown from the back deck? 

One Bellevue home checks both of those boxes, despite being several blocks outside of the city limits. 

This unique (and very Pittsburgh) home raises the question: Why does Pittsburgh have so many urban, walkable communities that border the city — but aren’t part of it? 

The answer is because Pittsburgh grew as a dense patchwork of boroughs and neighborhoods, so that many places, like Bellevue, remained separate municipalities even as they shared the city’s hillsides, streetcars, stairways and skyline views. 

Although these communities sit just outside the official city limits, they still feel like quintessential Pittsburgh neighborhoods; the city’s soul has always spilled past its physical borders.

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That’s the case at 186 Summit Ave,, which Denny and Lorrie Brown have owned for the last 13 years. 

“In 2013, we decided to move back to the Pittsburgh area to be closer to aging parents,” recalls Lorrie. “We visited with a real estate agent and viewed more than 10 properties over two weekends. When we arrived at this house, we knew this was our new home.” 

Listed for $250,000, the 1,500-square-foot home hit the market in mid-May to a great deal of interest — multiple showings and over-asking offers led to a quick sale for the Browns.

Thanks to a first-floor powder room and two full bathrooms upstairs, the two-bedroom home uses its space judiciously; it feels anything but cramped. 

Built in the 1930s, the home is not only uniquely placed, it’s well-maintained and thoroughly updated. Despite the home’s address being a set of concrete stairs, alley access provides ample off-street parking. 

On the first floor, the living room, dining room, and kitchen flow together with simplistic designs alongside the careful updates. Hardwood and parquet flooring, plus two original fireplaces, showcase the home’s original charm, while modern upgrades make the space feel bright and livable. 

A tidy kitchen island provides seating for two and loads of storage despite the home’s small footprint. The owners’ design taste shows in the funky, bright wallpaper and accents — which tie into Fiestaware on open shelving that pops against bright white cabinetry. (The next owners may need to make a stop at the Fiestaware outlet to recreate the colorful vibe.) 

Upstairs, the primary suite has an ensuite bathroom as well as a dressing area, while the second bedroom has full access to the hallway bathroom, making it feel like a second suite. In the basement, a semi-finished portion is perfect for a home gym, office or studio. 

The home’s back deck takes in views of Downtown and the surrounding hillsides. Steps from the deck lead down to a large paved driveway, accessed off of Forrest Avenue, with parking for up to five cars. 

A fenced side yard leads around to the front of the home, where a covered front porch faces the Summit Avenue stairs. The stucco exterior and arched front porch supports are yet another nod to the home’s 1930 origins. Bellevue’s bustling main street, full of new shops and restaurants, is a few level blocks away from the base of the staircase. 

“The front of the property is on those very iconic Pittsburgh city steps, where walkers travel back and forth each day from Summit to Forest,” says Denny. “For us, the layout has been unique, in that we have a great deal of privacy, but we are a short walk from all activities that we are most interested in, such as Bayne Library, cafes and restaurants, as well as shopping on Lincoln Avenue.”  

“What we will miss most about this home is playing with our dogs on the deck and in the backyard along with the solitude of bird watching from the deck with the gorgeous city skyline in the distance,” adds Lorrie. 

Realtor Sara Leitera of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices says this listing is a first for her. 

“It’s just a wow in so many ways,” she says. “I have been in business for 20 years and I’ve yet to see a house on a set of city steps that also has a spectacular view of Downtown. I sat and watched a storm roll in on the deck swing while the photographs were being taken, and I could just see myself living there and loving it.” 

Leitera says that with homes priced near the region’s median sale price of $230,000, it’s not uncommon to have a competitive bidding process and multiple offers. 

“The market is so tough right now for homes in this price range and size. Getting several offers was not surprising to me,” she says. “There’s not another house quite like this one.”