This Former Uptown Church Now Contains Luxury Condos

PHOTOS BY STEEL CITY VISUALS

In Uptown, Epic Development has spent the last decade completing nearly 100 residences. Owner Michael McAllister says his company has been working on new construction and rehabilitation because they want to help Pittsburgh move forward with building — while honoring what has shaped the region. 

“At the heart of what we do is neighborhood revitalization,” says McAllister. “Most of our projects started as long-vacant buildings, condemned structures, or blighted lots that many people had written off. We saw an opportunity to bring them back to life and create housing that feels thoughtful, timeless and connected to the character of the neighborhood.” 

In Uptown, one of those projects is The Church Residences. So far, one unit is on the market. The other homes in The Church Residences are coming soon, according to Realtor Shay Dalal of Compass Real Estate. 

The former Uptown church now houses two homes, including 2037 Forbes Ave., a two-bedroom, two-bathroom home listed for $555,000. Its neighboring home, 2039 Forbes Ave., will soon be listed at $575,000, while three new townhouses facing Seneca Street are planned as part of the broader redevelopment. 

Those homes will be what is called infill development — building new structures on vacant lots in existing neighborhoods. 

“It’s rare to find a condo with 27-foot ceilings, so much history and original details that give it such a distinct identity,” says Dalal of converting the former church into residences. “This is anything but a typical home. I’ve walked in almost every day for the past 10 months, and I still find myself saying, ‘Wow.’ That feeling hasn’t worn off.” 

Built in the 1880s as Central Presbyterian Church, the building most recently housed Corinthian Baptist Church. The neighboring former rectory has already been transformed into a duplex, which sold for $560,000 in April. The church conversion is part of Epic Development’s broader investment in Uptown, combining rehabilitation of older buildings with new construction.

By the numbers, the condo has two bedrooms and two bathrooms contained in 1,600 square feet. Due to the soaring ceilings, it feels much larger than its footprint. The main level is largely open-concept and includes architectural details such as original woodwork and wainscoting artfully combined with contemporary two-tone kitchen cabinets and high-end appliances for a result that’s anything but builder basic. 

In addition to the open living-dining-kitchen area, the first level contains a separate office, a full bathroom with fun checked tile and a nicely sized bedroom. Stairs lead to a loft sitting area and the primary suite, which houses a massive walk-in closet, a luxurious private bathroom with double sinks and a walk-in shower and the original pointed-arch windows, which have been updated with new glass. 

“The developer did an extraordinary job bringing that historic space into modern life,” says Dalal. “The quality of the finishes and attention to detail go well beyond what I typically see in condos. You really need to experience the space in person to appreciate both the scale of the architecture and the care that went into the interiors.” 

There are some fees involved in the development, but also financial incentives for buyers, says Dalal. 

“The property has a $250 HOA fee and a 10-year city property tax abatement. Citizens Bank previously confirmed potential assistance of $2,500 to $7,500 for eligible buyers, which is subject to current program availability and lender approval,” he says. 

Uptown itself is changing, Dalal adds. New businesses and investment throughout the community are adding to the walkable, livable feel. 

“The location is another compelling part of the story. Uptown is evolving, and I see tremendous potential in a neighborhood positioned between Downtown and Oakland, close to UPMC Mercy, Duquesne University and PPG Paints Arena,” he says. “It brings together a remarkable home and a neighborhood with an exciting future.” 

Buyers can look for more units in The Church Residence soon, as well as new development across Uptown as the city continues to incentivize adaptive reuse and infill development. 

“We’ve always believed that great neighborhoods need more than housing,” says McAllister. “Along the way, we’ve opened local gathering spots like Ghost Coffee Collab and Redhawk Coffee in two of our buildings, which have become neighborhood favorites. And we’re excited to share with you first that Islanders Kitchen, a new Caribbean-Haitian food truck, will soon have a permanent home at Ghost Coffee Collab’s patio. It’s another small step toward creating the kind of vibrant, walkable neighborhood that makes Uptown such an exciting place to invest in and call home.”