Pittsburgh’s First Tiny Home Is Back On the Market

In 2015, the tiny house craze was sweeping the nation. 

With a smaller footprint (and less space to maintain), it’s not hard to see the appeal of these compact, energy-efficient homes, which grew out of a desire for simpler, less expensive — and more environmentally efficient — living, especially as housing costs pushed buyers to rethink how much room they really need. 

In Pittsburgh, the idea took on an affordability angle when partners broke ground in Garfield on what was billed as the city’s first tiny house; developers used a small infill lot to show how compact design could create homeownership opportunities. 

A decade later, the house’s return to the market reflects both the staying power, and the limits, of the movement. Tiny homes remain charming and efficient, but they are still a niche answer to a larger, more nuanced housing problem in this region and beyond.

For the last several years, 223 North Atlantic Ave. has functioned as an Airbnb owned by Adam Hoppel of Venture Real Estate.  

“It was originally built as a highly publicized cityLAB project,” Hoppel says of the tidy studio home. 

He adds hat unlike many temporary or mobile tiny homes, the professionally engineered, permanent one-story single-family detached dwelling on North Atlantic has a full basement with ample storage and a green-ready roof.

As the original builders learned in the initial process, tiny homes are not necessarily more affordable to build. The payoff is in the maintenance and energy efficiency once the home is complete.

The North Atlantic Avenue home is now listed for $225,000, with Hoppel as both listing agent and seller. 

“This home offers the perfect blend of minimalist living and structural permanence, making it an incredibly rare find on the Pittsburgh market,” Hoppel says. “A buyer should consider it because it maximizes every square inch of space with high-quality design without sacrificing the stability and storage of a traditional home.” 

Situated in the heart of Garfield, the home integrates a small, well-appointed kitchen with a full-sized stove and dishwasher, stainless steel cabinetry, an under-counter refrigerator and a compact washer/dryer. 

The home is rounded out by a living space and bedroom area, all encompassed in just 500 square feet. A wall of built-in storage hides a Murphy bed to create more floor space, while the bathroom includes a standard-size tub despite its snug confines. 

The custom-built home has been meticulously maintained throughout the years. The mechanical systems, including the roof-mounted condenser and the kitchen’s appliances, are in top working order. 

“Everything is turnkey, and there are no major known repairs needed in the near future, allowing a new owner or investor to move right in or rent it out immediately,” says Hoppel. 

While Hoppel says the home is well suited for a short-term rental, the tiny house movement is about more than that; he’d love to see someone make the North Atlantic property their permanent home. 

“We’ve loved welcoming guests from all over the world through Airbnb and hearing how staying in a true ‘tiny home’ changed their perspective on how much space they actually need to feel comfortable,” says Hoppel. “Our family has also stayed there, and we have multiple fun memories with our two young boys at the home.” 

He adds his sons often ask for a stay at the little home. 

“It would absolutely make a wonderful permanent home for anyone looking to downsize, embrace a minimalist lifestyle or own a distinct piece of local architecture while staying deeply connected to the city’s cultural pulse,” Hoppel says.