This Allentown Home is Pure Pittsburgh

PHOTOS BY EXPOSURE IT

With turn-of-the-century relics clinging to the hillsides along all three of Pittsburgh’s rivers, there is no shortage of homes with their own unique skyline view of Downtown.

It’s certainly true of the house situated at 900 Arlington Ave., which is perched on a winding road that divides the South Side Slopes from Allentown on a street that Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s trolleys still bump along on certain days.

“The T periodically rolling by on Arlington Avenue below delivers that quintessential Pittsburgh moment,” says Emily Fraser of Piatt Sotheby’s International Realty, whose team has the home listed for $300,000.

She loves the home’s rooftop deck in particular, which is perched more than 40 feet above the street and has an unobstructed view of the South Shore and Downtown.

“For the bevy of features it offers, this has to be one of the best buys in the city right now,” Fraser says.

Built in the early 1900s, the home has three bedrooms, three full bathrooms and two powder rooms situated over four levels of living. Fully renovated for use as a vacation home several years ago, the house blends funky updates with the kind of historical details common to classic Pittsburgh houses.

Owner Kyle Homen says that when he was looking for a home to rehab in 2022, this one jumped out from the others on the market.

“It had great bones, but more importantly, it had potential — the kind you don’t see often,” he says. “Between the layout, location and views, it felt like a house that could truly offer something special to whoever was staying there.”

Homan says he knew this project would require a careful hand, as he didn’t want to diminish the home’s original charm.

“Because it’s an older house, I cared a lot about not stripping away what made it special,” he says.

He added his goal was to update the property in a way that made sense, while still respecting its history.

“Keeping the original trim, the decorative corbels and the curved staircase balustrade was really important to me,” he says. “It still feels like an old Pittsburgh house, in the best way — just one that works for how people live now.”

Fraser credits those savvy renovation choices with making the home a smart buy today.

“Because the home was previously operated as a successful short-term rental, the quality of the interior renovations reflects that in the best way,” she says.

She particularly loves that there are two primary suites — one on the second floor and one on the third floor. Each has a new, well-appointed, ensuite bathroom.

“You’re getting views, location, cosmetic renovations and off-street parking, all at $300,000. It’s a true find,” says Fraser.

Tucked into the hillside, this home’s original sandstone walls are visible in the large foyer at the rear of the home, as well as the main floor powder room. The living space sprawls out beyond that, with one-of-a-kind millwork and ornate details adding charm at every turn.

The large dining room is open to the freshly renovated kitchen; it also flows into the living room, which has city views via a bay window.

A charming set of twisting stairs takes guests to the second floor, which features one of the two primary suites, as well as a second bedroom with access to a hallway bathroom. There also is ample closet space for an older home such as this.

The third floor contains the second primary suite, which spans the entire footprint of the home and has a private balcony overlooking the city. The sharp angles and custom window layout of the third floor create a funky, flexible space that could just as easily be a family room or studio — there’s almost a treehouse vibe.

Fraser says that space is why this house tops her list of favorites.

“The rooftop deck is the obvious answer, but my personal favorite is the top-floor primary suite,” she says. “The entire space is cocooned beneath the roof pitches, with skylights and custom-shaped windows that tease those skyline views.”

In the basement of the home is a spruced-up Pittsburgh potty. There’s also a useful mudroom space and laundry in the unfinished portion of the basement. Overall, the home, which measures 2,000 square feet, has ample storage on each level.

The location can’t be beat, either, according to the Fraser Team.

“Arlington Avenue divides Allentown and the South Side Slopes in that area,” says realtor Sal Bucci, who also notes the home’s proximity to Mount Washington and the array of shops and restaurants found there. “It really straddles all three neighborhoods.”

Homan loves that about the home’s location, but says he’s fallen a bit in love with the Allentown neighborhood that the home officially sits in.

“Allentown especially feels like it’s in a really exciting moment,” he says. “There’s a creative, independent energy to the businesses popping up.”

He gives a nod to local stars such as Grim Wizard Coffee, Bottlerocket Social Hall and Alla Famiglia, which he calls one of the best Italian spots in the city.

“The neighborhood and the house just feel aligned,” he adds.

About: Allentown
Population: 1,852
Planes, Trains & Automobiles: The neighborhoods atop Mount Washington enjoy easy access to all of the city’s major arteries, as well as bus lines, the T and even both inclines. It’s a quick trip to the airport from Allentown via the Parkway West. Residents of Allentown do not need a car as the neighborhood is walkable.
Schools: Pittsburgh Public Schools (pghschools.org)
Neighborhood: Allentown is a community in flux. The main street area has a collection of shops and eateries, and the nearby Shiloh Street shops offer more options for Allentown residents. The neighborhood was the first west of the Allegheny Mountains to run an electric streetcar, and the lines are still set into Warrington Avenue. Occasionally during track repairs on other active lines, trolleys still run through Allentown as an alternate route.