The Living is Easy in This East End Home

PHOTOS BY 360 CAPTURES

When Tony and Andrea arrived in Pittsburgh with their two sons a decade ago, they did not yet know where they belonged. While the region has developed a bit of a reputation as a welcoming city, the diverse patchwork of distinct neighborhoods can make choosing just where to set down roots a challenge.

So, the family decided to take their time choosing where to live.

“We rented for a year when we moved to Pittsburgh, when our boys were 11 and 13 years old, and spent that time looking for neighborhoods and houses,” the couple shared in an email. “We were new to the city, but quickly learned that we loved Shadyside.”

The stately historical homes, mature trees and walkable streets, as well as the strong sense of community, drew the family of four to narrow their search to the East End neighborhood.

“We saw a lot of houses that just weren’t right, but as soon as we walked into this home, it was the one,” the couple said. “We loved the walnut wood in the stairwell, the tall ceilings and the beautiful stained glass. Also, we were enamored by the detailed ceiling artwork.”

After a decade of well-spent family life, the couple now has adult children — and the home that was the setting for their family’s Pittsburgh chapter is on the market once again.

Built in 1921, the three-story Victorian at 601 Emerson St. has six bedrooms, four bathrooms and 4,600 square feet of living space over four full levels.

Inside, the house on a coveted corner lot still retains the kind of early-20th-Century craftsmanship that can be difficult to find intact. The original woodwork, hardwood floors, stained and leaded glass, tall ceilings and multiple fireplaces have been nearly untouched for over a century.

At the same time, the couple loves that their home has been updated for modern living, with a renovated kitchen, finished lower-level game and media space, upper-level laundry and a primary suite with a soaking tub and oversized walk-in shower.

Colleen Anthony of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services says that balance is what sets the home apart. She’s listed the home for $1.3 million, adding that it’s a treat for a historical home in this condition to hit the Pittsburgh market.

“This house is the rare home that perfectly balances historic Shadyside elegance with modern luxury,” Anthony says. “Homes with this level of craftsmanship are nearly impossible to recreate today, yet this residence has been thoughtfully updated to meet the expectations of today’s luxury buyer.”

The updated kitchen features bright white cabinetry, a walnut island and an unexpected jade green backsplash that pulls the whole space together. The layout is thoughtful, too.

“I love cooking and, when we moved, for the first time we were able to design the kitchen of my dreams,” says Andrea. “I adore the walnut island that we had made, and I especially love being able to open up the French doors to the screened porch to listen to the rain while I’m cooking.”

The renovated kitchen is one of several major updates completed by the current owners, along with the updated primary bathroom, second-floor laundry, finished lower level and a newer roof installed in 2016.

“One of the things I appreciate most about this home is that many of the significant improvements have already been completed,” Anthony says. “The current owners have invested in thoughtful updates while preserving the home’s original character and architectural integrity.”

For a city known for its century-old dwellings, that mix matters. While it’s easy to be drawn to a home’s original stained glass or intricate millwork, these kinds of practical updates help make a property livable for everyday family life.

Beyond the main living space, the home includes some extras that Anthony says set it apart. One of the best examples? A rooftop terrace above the garage.

“To have that garage thoughtfully designed with a private rooftop entertaining space above it is something truly special,” Anthony says. “It’s the kind of place where you can host dinner under the stars, gather with friends around a fire table or simply enjoy a quiet evening surrounded by the beauty of Shadyside.”

Indeed, Tony says the rooftop deck played a role in some of his favorite moments.

“Some of my best memories are sitting on the roof deck watching our sons and their friends play basketball, and also playing pool together as a family and with ours and our sons’ friends,” he says.

Anthony adds the house’s location may be as much of a selling point as the home itself. Emerson Street sits on one of Shadyside’s most walkable pockets, close to Walnut Street, Bakery Square, universities, hospitals, restaurants and parks, as well as ample public transit.

“This is a great community with a wonderful mix of younger and older families along with young professionals and students,” the owners wrote. “We are lucky to have such great neighbors who we’ve gotten to know over the years.”

Andrea particularly loves the neighborhood’s seasonal traditions and everyday conveniences.

“I love our October block party when everyone turns out and we get to meet new neighbors,” she says. “We also have the best of being walkable to great restaurants, grocery stores and exciting business districts.”

Tony notes Walnut Street and Mellon Park both have popular arts and cultural festivals. “And Bakery Square also has a super fun and family-friendly outdoor space where they show sports and movies,” he adds.

While it’s a tough question to think about when leaving a home you love, the couple quickly agrees on what they will miss the most.

“The sunlight,” Andrea says. “The house gets amazing sunlight that is also set off beautifully at certain times of the evening when it’s refracted through the cut glass windows.”