This Highland Park Home Has Its Own Block

PHOTOS BY PETER THEIS

Every home is unique in its own way, but some stand out from the pack. In Highland Park, a brick Victorian built in 1923  is not only a perfect time capsule of Pittsburgh architectural history, it’s also got its own block. 

The unusual parcel of land at 5454 Wellesley Ave. was the solution to a classic Pittsburgh problem: the difficulty to lay streets on a grid in a city with infamously tumultuous topography. The home sits on a triangle-shaped island of its own, hemmed in by Wellesley Avenue at the rear and Heths and King avenues along the other two sides. 

PHOTO BY PETER THEIS

That quirky lot was an immediate draw for the owners, who purchased the home in 2019.

 “It felt like our own oasis in the middle of the city,” says owner Kate Balboni, who spoke to Pittsburgh Magazine on the couple’s behalf. The wedge shape of the parcel also gives the property ample outdoor space, more than most homes in the East End. 

The couple was also enamored by the ways the 2,300-square-foot home, which has six bedrooms and four bathrooms, could grow with their changing needs. 

“We loved the flexibility of the home because of all of the room options,” says Balboni. “The home was able to evolve with us. I transitioned to working from home, and we had two children while in the home. We had space for all of those life changes; rooms have changed from walk-in closets to offices to nurseries.”

Inside, the home is a collection of all of the details that make a classic Pittsburgh home special, but with the right mix of modern updates. The home features original millwork, hardwood floors, built-in shelves, a wood-burning fireplace and a partially finished basement as well as an attached two-car garage.

The main floor includes a stunning kitchen renovation, spacious living room, dining room and plenty of room for daily life. Upstairs, the six bedrooms span across two levels, providing flexible rooms for guests, offices or a fitness space. The lower level contains a refreshed game room, updated powder room and a laundry area with laundry chute from the living areas. 

Realtor Jennifer Engle of Coldwell Banker says she can’t get over many aspects of the home, which she has listed for $775,000. 

“It’s incredibly difficult to find another property like it in Highland Park or, frankly, anywhere in the city,” she says, noting the well-maintained millwork, slate roof, standout lot and careful, high-quality updates. 

“They wanted a space that felt warm, modernized, but also maintained and complemented the feel of the home,” Engle adds of the Balbonis. “The kitchen is a cook’s dream. Each aspect was thoughtfully designed, from the stove-side spice rack to the radiant heat floors that are used during the chilly Pittsburgh mornings. During the renovations, they found the chimney and incorporated it into the kitchen, too.” 

What’s unseen in the home is just as much of a selling point, according to Engle. 

“The current owners have invested significantly in the home’s infrastructure,” she says. “Major improvements like the foundation stabilization with a transferable lifetime warranty, upgraded electrical service, tankless water heater, mini-split systems and smart home features give buyers confidence that they’re purchasing a home that’s been exceptionally well cared for.” 

Among the updates are push piers in the basement to prevent any further settling in the 100-year-old foundation. 

The Balbonis say they think the home’s next owners will love the Highland Park community just as much, if not more, than they love the home itself.

 “As a family with young kids, we love all of the walkable parks close to the house. We can walk to Heths Playground, Super Playground and the Farmhouse Playground,” Balboni says. “My husband and I both work from home, so we can go on walks during lunch and enjoy the beautiful gardens and historic homes.  We also love to walk to Bulldog Pub in Morningside on Fridays for pizza.” 

As the family packs up to begin a new adventure, the couple knows this house will remain a key part of their family legacy. 

“It’s such a unique home,” says Balboni. “And we will never find another like it.”