PHOTOS BY KIRSTEN HEAGY, FLY OVER PROPERTIES

Although it’s hard to imagine it these days gazing upon the closely-packed, colorful houses that make up the city’s neighborhoods, Pittsburgh once contained large patches of agricultural land. 

This included in Sheraden, where a farmhouse at 2914 Sacramento Ave. has stood watch over a changing city — and the growing neighborhood around it — for well over a century.

Now on the market for $139,000, the five-bedroom home has never had any major renovations, meaning it’s still filled with original charm.

Scott Gordon, who grew up in the home, listed it for sale after his mother, Nancy, died in November. Gordon says his mother was crazy about the house, which the family bought in 1969.

“She was awful proud of that house,” he says. “The bay window was a favorite of hers, and the sun would come in the evening and light up the crystal chandelier and you would get rainbows all over the room. She really liked that.”

Another Sheraden native, Realtor Adam Cannon of The Cannon Group says he loves the quiet street this home is nestled on, as well as the West End’s convenient location near Downtown. The property’s large corner lot also gives this homestead some breathing room, while its mature trees add to the secluded feel.

“Due to its incredible craftsmanship, it has stood the test of time and remained one of the nicest homes in the area,” Cannon says. “The home has been well cared for and updated over the years, but much of its original character and integrity remains intact.” 

Built in 1896, the home has a first-floor primary suite with an anteroom and combination bathroom/laundry room. On the second floor are four more bedrooms, including another large bedroom with two dressing rooms that once served as the original owner’s suite. 

The upstairs bedrooms feature dormer windows and slanted ceilings, each with their own unique details. The third floor, while unfinished, is accessed by a standard staircase. 

“It offers an opportunity for the future owner to create additional living space or storage,” says Cannon. 

Although the kitchen has not been updated in decades, the large rectangle layout and ample natural light make it a blank slate for the next owners; that is, if they don’t fall in love with its vintage appeal. Another classic farmhouse feature, a Dutch door, overlooks the backyard.

In the living room, a wraparound stone fireplace is flanked by built-in bookcases and large windows, creating a bright-and-cozy  living space. 

“I’m obsessed with the fireplace,” Cannon says. “It adds a coziness and warmth to the main living space, plus it’s just beautiful to look at. It’s truly the centerpiece of the home and I couldn’t love it more.” 

Surprisingly, the fireplace is not original to the home; it was constructed by Gordan’s father, Charles, who was a carpenter.

“He did all the stonework right on the living room floor,” Gordon says.  

The home’s original woodwork adds to its historical charm, as does the exterior’s unusual brickwork. The two-tone bricks are laid in a pattern called butterjoint, giving the home a woven basket appearance. A large front porch begs for rocking chairs. 

Calling it an excellent place to grow up, Gordon says he loved living alongside his two brothers in the home overlooking the Ohio River. Until he was 22, he didn’t even have a key to the house because the family never felt the need to lock it. 

“The noise of the trains and river traffic put me to sleep every night,” he recalls.

The home has a large, dry basement that could be a perfect spot for a workshop; recent updates to the sewer and HVAC mean the next owner can focus on cosmetic updates. 

The move-in ready home also is priced to sell, according to Cannon. 

“I think today’s buyer will have some updates and changes they’ll want to make to the home,” he says. “And we have certainly priced it accordingly.”

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: Sheraden
Population: 4,660
Planes, Trains & Automobiles: Residents of Sheraden enjoy a great easy accessibility to Downtown and the area’s major highways.. The neighborhood also has a park-and-ride lot along the West Busway for commuters and ample bus routes to other areas of the city. The Airport Flyer also stops in Sheraden.
Schools: Pittsburgh Public Schools (pghschools.org)
Neighborhood: A small community along the Ohio River, Sheraden originally was an independent borough before joining the city of Pittsburgh in 1907. Some streets have skyline views of Downtown while others feel more suburban with mature tree cover. The community has several parks, a public pool and a skate park. 

Neighborhood data provided by Niche.