Ready for Sale: Four PHLF-Restored Houses in Wilkinsburg

Historic preservation efforts initiated by the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation in cooperation with the Wilkinsburg community are serving as a catalyst for renewal in the historic Hamnett Place neighborhood. With the restoration of four homes on Jeanette Street and Holland Avenue underway, the purchase of a former Packard showroom (see page 7) on Rebecca Avenue, and the developing plans for the dramatic Crescent Apartment building, Landmarks is making a significant commitment to the Wilkinsburg community.

Thanks to two grants of $500,000 each from the Allegheny County Department of Economic Development and the Sarah Scaife Foundation, and gifts from others, Landmarks was able to acquire four properties in Wilkinsburg: 516, 522, 524 Jeanette Street, and 811 Holland Avenue. “Our investment represents the first phase of redevelopment efforts in the Hamnett Place neighborhood,” said Landmarks president Arthur Ziegler, “and continues our record of taking the lead and helping turn the tide in historic inner-city neighborhoods.” Restoration work will be completed this summer—and the four houses are on the market now.

Under the supervision of Tom Keffer, property and construction manager, Eagle Construction & Remediation LLC is working meticulously to restore the architecturally-significant trims and fixtures of the buildings, while also incorporating all the comforts and amenities of a modern new home. “These well-built homes will be returned to their original splendor and updated with modern amenities, including energy-efficient HVAC systems, new thermo-pane windows designed in the original style, and insulated exterior walls and roofs,” said Dwight Quarles, president of Eagle Construction and Remediation LLC.

516 and 522 Jeanette Street are single-family homes with distinctive Colonial Revival features. Each will have up to three spacious bedrooms and 1.5 baths. Some of the stand out features of these solid brick homes are fully restored front porches with colonial columns, handsome original pocket doors and trim on the interior, and large kitchens with a “pass thru” into the dining area. These homes will also have clean and airy basements ready to build out if desired.

524 Jeanette Street is a late-Victorian, Queen Anne, two-family home with a striking rounded turret and mansard roof. The all-brick home has a one-bedroom, one-bath unit on the first floor, and a three-bedroom, 1.5-bath unit on the second floor. Whoever purchases the two-family home will receive the income from the rental unit.

811 Holland Avenue, just a block away from the Jeanette Street properties, is an ornate Stick-Style house with an abundance of character. This home has up to five spacious bedrooms and 1.5 baths. There are original wooden entry doors that complement the geometric woodwork of the fully restored front porch. The attractive clapboard siding wraps around the home, giving it a durable and clean look. Some of the other exceptional features of this home are a slate roof, a side porch that connects to an open and flowing kitchen, and off-street parking in the rear.

“One of the best features of these homes is that if we receive signed sales agreements before the end of April, buyers will have the ability to customize certain features such as paint colors, carpet colors, fixtures, and appliances,” said Michael Sriprasert, Landmarks’ assistant for real estate programs. Buyers can also opt for an allowance in lieu of the above items, giving them free reign in what they want to do in their new home. “Sales prices for these homes start at $70,000 with special financing available. This is an exceptional deal considering that over $200,000 was spent restoring each of these homes,” said Michael. Landmarks’ goal is to sell owner-occupied renovated residences in the historic Hamnett Place neighborhood, through an affirmative marketing effort to a range of potential buyers, consistent with local, state, and federal fair housing laws.

For further details contact
Michael Sriprasert
412-471-5808, ext. 511;
michael@phlf.org.