PHOTOS COURTESY RE/MAX SELECT REALTY

Pittsburgh is home to some of the oldest housing stock in the country, coming in second place only to Buffalo, according to a 2022 report from the U.S. Census Bureau. From fixer-uppers and grand old mansions to homes beyond repair, buyers in this city are used to the quirks these old homes in traditional neighborhoods present.

And that’s exactly what makes this Lawrenceville home something of a rarity; it’s a new build surrounded by original, century-old homes.

When Tony Mazzarini and Alex Simakas first came across 4602 Davidson St. in Lawrenceville, they were under the impression there was nothing left of the old building on the vacant land. But as their crew began to move dirt, they found large sandstone blocks from a previous home on the site.

“When our development company acquired the land, it was an empty lot, or so we thought,” Mazzarini says. “After complete removal of these lost treasures, we started construction of the new homes.”

While the attached home of the duplex they built has sold, the other unit is still at the drywall stage and has yet to be finished. Mazzarini says one of the benefits of a new build is that everything on the parcel has been updated, including the utility lines from the street.

It’s also a blank slate.

“If a buyer steps up quickly, they will be able to select tile in the bathrooms, backsplash in the kitchen, flooring, cabinetry and countertops,” he says.

The new owner may also choose paint colors and lighting fixtures within an allowance for finishes that is included in the sale.

This unit is listed by Sarah Madia of RE/MAX Select Realty for $830,000. She says that purchasing an unfinished home is typically no different than purchasing a finished one.

“Homes like this one provide a unique opportunity for buyers to purchase new construction with the ability to select custom finishes while using a standard conventional mortgage,” she says. “Since the developer has already financed the build and begun construction, the buyer only needs a conventional mortgage to complete the purchase.”

With three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, two powder rooms and a tandem, two-car garage, the four-story home is not short on space. The building’s street level includes the integral garage, a spacious foyer, utility room and a closet for outdoor gear. While those old sandstones are gone, they’ve been replaced with something even more durable.

“This home has a Superior Walls Foundation system, which is constructed off-site and assembled on site,” says Mazzarini. “It is stronger than any block wall construction system and comes fully insulated and ready to be built upon.

Steps from the entry level lead up to the main living space. Facing the street, a large living room with a fireplace is bright and airy. It opens into a spacious dining room and kitchen with a walk-in pantry and additional closet space. A patio off of the kitchen extends the living space during mild weather.

Since the kitchen is yet to be completed, endless options exist to create a space tailored to the next owner’s needs.

“Designed with space and modern living in mind, it offers a wider and deeper layout than other homes in Lawrenceville, which results in generously sized rooms,” says Madia. “Every time I’m at Davison, I think that this home is perfect for entertaining; it features a spacious dining room and kitchen ideal for hosting parties or holidays.”

On the third level is a large primary suite facing the rear of the property that’s adjacent to a bathroom still awaiting design choices. There is also another full bathroom, a laundry room and a bedroom with a walk-in closet.

The home’s top floor is a massive blank slate. The finished room, which could be used as a home office, guest suite or studio, measures 18-by-29-feet and is extended by a large balcony with city skyline views.

“The view from the rooftop deck back of the city is incredible” Mazzarini says.

Beyond the peace of mind and flexible design options a new city build offers, the team touts the home’s trendy location in one of Pittsburgh’s hippest neighborhoods as another plus.

“The community of Lawrenceville has a lot of old housing stock,” says Mazzarini. “The beauty of this new construction home is that it takes away all the worry of deferred maintenance with older homes you find in Lawrenceville while offering one of the best locations in all of Pittsburgh.”

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: Central Lawrenceville
Population: 4,730
Planes, Trains & Automobiles: Residents of Central Lawrenceville do not need to own a car, and many don’t. Pittsburgh is improving bike infrastructure, and Lawrenceville is becoming more and more bike friendly. There are also plentiful bus routes and rideshares available. The trendy city neighborhood is a walkable community where many errands can be accomplished by foot. The airport is an easy jaunt on I-376, or accessible via the Airport Flyer with one bus transfer.
Schools: Pittsburgh Public Schools (pghschools.org)
Neighborhood: Evolving from its industrial past, Lawrenceville, which is technically composed of Lower Lawrenceville, Central Lawrenceville, and Upper Lawrenceville, is a bustling hub of restaurants and retail shops, interspersed with historical row homes and multi-unit buildings. Besides UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, restaurants, coffee shops and local businesses such as Arsenal Bowl and Row House Cinema dot the community. Formerly a working-class neighborhood, Lawrenceville today has a booming housing market reflected by soaring prices. Many residents still report a strong neighborly feel to the community and enjoy regular block parties and local festivals.

Neighborhood Data provided by Niche