PHOTOS BY GENE YUGER, PITTSBURGH REAL ESTATE MEDIA

It’s an old saying in real estate — “location, location, location;” when it comes to 110 Pius St. in the South Side Slopes, Realtor Molly Aura says the adage could not be more true.

Built in 1893, the well-maintained Victorian has a third-floor entertainment space and a two-story deck offering skyline views of Downtown; few of her listings offer such wow factor, she says. Beyond the location, the attention to detail also should catch any buyer’s eye.

“It is incredibly rare to come across a home of this age that has been so extensively restored, all while preserving the details of that era,” Aura says.

While some homes that are a century-plus in age may need extensive updates, Aura says this property comes with peace of mind.

“From the roof down to the sewage line, everything has been meticulously replaced,” she says. “The only thing its next owner would need is a pair of binoculars, a Pantone color wheel, and Jerry Thomas’ famous Bartender’s Guide.”

An agent at Coldwell Banker, Aura has the three-bedroom, two-bathroom home listed for $575,000. Setting the stage for what’s to come in the 2,300-square-foot home is the grand entrance, which includes a vestibule and stained glass doors.

“I’m a sucker for tall ceilings,” says Aura. “Because the home blends the old world with modernity so seamlessly, the walls invite an eclectic art collection, with an almost museum-like feel. Eclecticism is a keynote of Victorian interiors, so you really can take the home in any direction you want.”

Original details such as a lavish newel post on the staircase and an ornate marble fireplace surround in the living room add to the historical charm, while new appliances in the large kitchen bring it into the modern era.

The rear of the home opens to a brick patio surrounded by greenery — which could be the perfect spot for the next homeowner to enjoy a morning cup of coffee. Current homeowner Ben Schweers says he loves how each space in his home feels a bit different.

“Parts of it are old, but what is cool about this house is that each floor has a different feel,” he says. “The first is the oldest and most traditional.”

Schweers says he can’t take credit for most of the home’s upgrades; the previous owner was an engineer who brought the home into the 21st century.

“The house has radiant floors, a heated sidewalk, different zones for heating and cooling and a unique security system,” Schweers says.

While he loves the tech, Schweers says he chose the house original details such as the functional transoms, pocket doors and other nods to the home’s past.

“The built-in features have an old-world charm that just isn’t found in newer houses,” he adds.

On the home’s second level is a primary suite with a walk-in shower and a generously sized dressing room. The second bedroom has access to a hallway bathroom with basketweave tile and a charming clawfoot tub. Both rooms are bright, airy and freshly painted.

The third floor contains what Schweers calls the home’s standout feature — a custom bar with a refrigerated draft line that runs straight to the basement. Schweers says the bar has the feel of an Irish pub, including dimmable lights to tailor the mood

“Since I’ve owned the place, only Guinness has been on tap,” Schweers says. “Over 100 years ago, the original owner of the home was a brewer, so the bar was meant to be.”

The top floor has another full bathroom, plus plenty of flexible space that could be used for  remote work or as a home studio. There’s also access to a two-level deck (with a spiral staircase leading to the top deck) with an incredible vantage point of Downtown that Scheer says reminds him of homes along the East Coast.

“I’ve always loved a widow’s walk, which can often be seen as part of coastal homes,” says Schweers. “Despite its Victorian bones and landlocked Pennsylvanian locale, this house has a beach feel.”

A lawyer who represents victims of asbestos exposure, Schweers loves the neighborhood as well, saying the Slopes are quintessential Pittsburgh — in the best way. The mix of college students, professionals and families provide energy in the community, and Schweers appreciates its deep roots, too.

“Many of these homes were passed down from generation to generation, so there’s a direct link to the way South Side once was — the epicenter of steelmaking,” he says.

Schweers adds he’ll miss having a pint of Guinness as the sun sets over the city, even if he hasn’t perfected the art of placing a shamrock on top of his pour.

“I haven’t seen any shrimp boats come into shore yet, but the deck’s 360-degree view of the rivers and city skyline tops my list of things I will miss,” he says.

An open house will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 16.

Meg St-Esprit is a Bellevue-based freelance journalist who covers real estate, lifestyle, education, parenting and travel for a variety of local outlets including Pittsburgh Magazine, PublicSource, Kidsburgh, Pittsburgh City Paper, and City Cast Pittsburgh. Meg offers Hot Property, an inside look into unique and historic homes on the market. Each week, Hot Property goes behind the For Sale sign to share the story of a special Pittsburgh-area home.

About: South Side Slopes
Population: 4,122
Planes, Trains & Automobiles: South Side Slopes residents enjoy easy access to public transportation including buses and the T. Commuting Downtown is a breeze, and highway access to Pittsburgh International Airport is also simple from this location. Residents of community do not need a car, though many do own one.
Schools: Pittsburgh Public Schools (pghschools.org).
Neighborhood: Known for winding streets and breathtaking views, the neighborhood was one of the first settled along the Monongahela River by John Ormsby. As river industries moved in, immigrants settled in small houses built on the slopes. Early wooden staircases were built for residents to traverse to and from work. These gave way to the concrete public staircases that Pittsburgh is known for. The primarily residential neighborhood, which is poised on a hill below Allentown and Arlington, also has easy access to the restaurants, bars, and other businesses that line the South Side Flats.