KIRSTEN HEAGY AT FLYOVER PROPERTIES

When Elizabeth and Jane Nam decided to relocate from the West Coast three years ago, they set their sights on Pittsburgh — despite having little connection to the region.

Looking for a change of pace, the couple was drawn to the affordable prices and welcoming spirit they found in the Steel City. Elizabeth recalls a day she and Jane spent changing their car battery on the side of the road as newly minted yinzers.

“Fifteen people stopped to help us…there is such a neighborly vibe to this city,” she says.

After falling in love with both the home’s charm and the excess space, the couple moved into 29 Wabash St., a four-bedroom, three-bathroom home in the West End. The house has served as a perfect place for welcoming new friends, as well as for hosting the couple’s West Coast family on frequent visits.

“We love to have lots of people on the back porch in the summer,” says Elizabeth. “And we just had a baby eight months ago…my mom had her own space to stay on the third floor, which was amazing.”

While they loved their time in Pittsburgh, the couple has decided to move closer to extended family as they raise their baby. They have since listed their home with Emily Fraser and her team at Piatt Sotheby’s International Realty for $419,000. At just over 2,000 square feet, it’s a lot of home for the price tag.

“We affectionately dubbed 29 Wabash St., a ‘trendsetter’ home,” says Fraser. “You get an exceptional property reminiscent of chic North Side or Lawrenceville row homes, without the price tag.”

Fraser notes the West End’s central location close to Downtown, plus a great spot near South Main Street’s businesses district, as two major selling points — as is the home’s turnkey status. While the home’s renovations are a decade old, the finishes are timeless.

“This home is updated top to bottom,” Fraser says.”The quality of the materials and craftsmanship would cost an unfathomable amount in the post-COVID age. A buyer seeking a low-maintenance home could truly move right in and not lift a finger.”

The Nams agree the updates made in 2015 were well done, leaving them with only cosmetic changes to make to fit their style and design preferences. The historical details that some might see as flaws also delight them.

“On the third floor, you can see where there must have been a stove because there are some dark burn marks on the wooden floor,” says Elizabeth. “It’s very beautiful.”

Original fireplaces and millwork add to the home’s charm, while careful updates make the house work for a modern family. Choices like track lighting on the first floor’s exposed ceiling feel funky and new, while original brick walls root the home firmly in its past.

The couple says the kitchen and dining area, which open to one another, are the hub of the house. Opening the back doors in warmer months extends the entertaining area, where there’s a two-level, covered deck. And, while the living room is compact, the Nams say it has served them well as a cozy gathering spot.

On the second floor, the serene primary suite served as a refuge the couple will miss. The clawfoot tub in particular tops Elizabeth’s list of features she can’t wait for the next owners to enjoy.

“I have never taken so many baths in my life,” she says with a laugh. “I take more baths than a toddler.”

The other airy bedrooms share an updated full bathroom. The basement, while unfinished, is dry and bright — a rare feature in a turn-of-the-century Pittsburgh house.

That neighborly charm the Nams first noted in Pittsburgh is why they are a bit reluctant to leave the community. The family loves walking to local eateries, as well as exploring Artifacts.

“The West End’s most impressive coup is Artifacts Antiques,” says Fraser, who is a fan of the retailer. “Calling it an ‘antique’ store puts it mildly. You could spend all day browsing nearly an acre of fine furnishings and oriental rugs.”

The Nams also love the Animal Advocates Thrift Shoppe, which shares a wall with their townhouse. They use hand-blown glasses they purchased there every day, a memory of the West End they will take with them. They also regularly embarked on longer treks, such as a 30-minute walk to Commonplace Coffee on the North Side or biking along the riverfront trail.

The couple says they know the West End community will only thrive more in the coming years, a plus for potential buyers.

“I know that 10 years from now we are going to look at the value of the house and think, ‘Why did we do this?’” says Elizabeth. “Pittsburgh has been really generous to us.”

An open house at 29 Wabash St., will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 1. 

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: West End
Population: 239
Planes, Trains, & Automobiles: Few places in Pittsburgh are as centrally located as the West End. A quick trip down the hill provides access to all of the city’s major arteries, and it’s easy to access Downtown via public transit, car or even by bike and foot. The airport is a 20-minute drive.
Schools: Pittsburgh Public Schools (pghschools.org)
Neighborhood: This tiny hamlet is quiet, but bursting with life. With eateries, shops and parks, it’s easy to enjoy a day right outside your front door in the West End. The local branch of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh hosts regular events for patrons of all ages, and the West End Overlook is a premier spot for impressive skyline views — especially when there are fireworks.