At the turn of the last century, business was booming in Pittsburgh. Driven by jobs in steel mills and manufacturing, the city grew steadily — which required more homes. 

Much of Pittsburgh’s housing stock was built in the early 1900s to accommodate that growing population, and one of the most popular styles was the American Foursquare. The rectangular building sat well on a city lot without any wasted space, which is why so many of these homes still dot the region’s hillsides today. 

Among those industrious new additions was 3933 Brighton Road in Brighton Heights.

Like many of Pittsburgh’s older homes, the house fell into disrepair over the years as it changed owners. But when the owner of RybeeTwo LLC, who asked to remain anonymous, came across the home this spring, he was intrigued enough to purchase it, and immediately got to work.

“I liked the character of the home and was excited to be able to help restore it to its former glory,” the homeowner says. “I saw the potential in every aspect of it and was excited to finish it for a new buyer.” 

Grateful that much of the original charm had not been lost to previous renovations, he committed himself to salvaging what he could. 

In particular, the homeowner managed to save the original hardwood floors, which bring warmth to the home. 

“They were restored with care and help maintain the original charm and character of the house while allowing for other modernizations throughout,” he says. 

The double front door with sidelights, as well as original millwork and fireplaces, also add to the turn-of-the-century charm. 

The home is now listed for $395,000 by Jessica Baker of Achieve Realty, who says she loves the careful way repairs to the home were approached. 

“It’s so rare to find an older home that has been updated and restored this meticulously,” she says. 

While the fireplaces, grand front door and original floors anchor the home firmly in the early 1900s, the thoughtful updates make it stand out from her other listings. 

“I think the kitchen is a really special place that fits a more modern look into a historic home,” she says. “The result is seamless.” 

The original layout of the first floor — literally four square spaces — has been left intact, with the sunny foyer flowing into the living room, dining room, and kitchen. A two-story bay window is lined with benches in the dining room as well as in the bedroom above it. 

In the kitchen, deep blue cabinets are an unexpectedly fun detail. Stone counters, new appliances, a wine fridge and a small eating area make the kitchen function well as both a cooking and a gathering space. 

A door off of the kitchen opens directly onto a covered patio. While the front of the home has some of those famous Pittsburgh stairs, the rear of the property includes a parking area.  

Measuring 2,500 square feet, the spacious home has two full bathrooms with double sinks on the second floor. Intricate tile work in both bathrooms meld the age of the house with contemporary design. 

Three of the five bedrooms are on the second floor, with the remaining two on the fully finished third floor. All are bright and airy, making them flexible spaces for sleeping, relaxing or remote work. The basement is clean and functional for a workshop or storage, as well. 

“It’s a great house with lots of finished space,” Baker says. “There is room for a home office to get work done on quiet gray days, and a huge dining room perfect for hosting family dinners.” 

Baker says that the next owners won’t have to worry about major maintenance or upgrades in the near future, as this was a thorough restoration with an eye to detail. Beyond looks, she adds that the craftsmanship is high quality, too. 

While the homeowner did not live in the home while restoring it, he loves the walkable community vibe of Brighton Heights. 

“My favorite spot during the renovation was California Coffee Bar,” he says. “The nearby neighbors were very supportive during the rehab process. They expressed happiness and were grateful to have the house restored.” 

About: Brighton Heights
Population: 7,047
Planes, Trains, & Automobiles: With ample public transportation and quick access to both Route 65 and Interstate 279, Brighton Heights is convenient to nearly everything. Ross Park Mall and the retailers along McKnight Road are less than 15 minutes away while Downtown is just a 10-minute drive. Several bus routes head into the city where commuters can catch the T, and the airport is easily accessible by car or bus.
Schools: Pittsburgh Public Schools (pghschools.org)
Neighborhood: A mix of single-family homes and apartments, Brighton Heights is a walkable and bikeable community. The shops along California Avenue are convenient, and community events happen often. Plans are underway to construct a pedestrian bridge to Riverview Park, which will give residents of Brighton Heights easy access to all of the amenities at the park, including free outdoor concerts, playgrounds, a dog park, a pool and the Allegheny Observatory. 

Neighborhood data provided by Niche.com