PHOTOS BY AMY FISHER, PAWSBURGH PHOTOGRAPHY

When the Wu family decided to make 77 South Fremont Ave. in Bellevue their home eight years ago, they fell in love with a fixer-upper that oozed charm — but needed a bit of a facelift. 

“When we first entered, it felt warm, and we loved the flow of the first and second floors,” says Betty Wu.

While Wu and her husband have renovated and sold other investment properties around Pittsburgh, she says this house was their home. 

“We didn’t want this house to be a flip home,” she says. “We wanted to make sure we tried to keep its original features but also make it functional.” 

The couple and their two kids are not moving far — just to another house blocks away. They say this neighborhood is home as much as the house they’ve spent years restoring. 

“Bellevue is an amazing place to live,” Wu says. “There are so many new and old locally owned businesses. We have amazing parks and also a great farmer’s market.” 

Because they are raising their two kids here too, Wu is excited to see many more young families moving into town. 

Built in 1925, their Craftsman-style home is now listed for $350,000 by Justin Greenawalt and Laura Konecsni of Howard Hanna of Sewickley.

“It’s what I call a ‘Goldilocks House,’ because it’s just right in almost every way,” says Greenawalt. 

An architectural historian as well as a realtor, Greenawalt says one of his favorite features of this home is how the Wus restored it while maintaining its original Craftsman-style charm.

“Now, I think the term ‘Craftsman’ is important to highlight, because the quality of the home’s craftsmanship is evident,” says Greenawalt. “Whether we’re talking about its preserved original details or its recent, modern updates, the home’s current owners have dedicated time and attention to balancing new and old.”

At 2,400 square feet, this “bungalow” isn’t short on space, either. The main floor flows perfectly for entertainment or family life. The living and dining room both feature fireplaces. while a sunroom with custom windows that looks out on a front porch is perfect for being nebby. 

Original built-ins have been restored in both the living and dining room, showcasing those architectural details Greenawalt loves. Off the kitchen, a mudroom with a walk-in shower makes this home adaptable for residents with varying mobility needs. 

The home’s custom cabinetry was one of the first things that caught Wu’s eye, and they’re not just contained to the main level. 

“My favorite feature of the home is the original built-ins, from the living room to the closet in the hallway on the second floor,” she says.  

Four bright-and-airy bedrooms feature hardwood floors, original millwork and more closet space than most homes of this age. The third floor includes a bonus space perfect for a playroom, studio or home office. While the basement isn’t fully finished, it’s clean, dry and has a workshop area.  

The outdoor space is another huge selling feature. A detached, two-car garage, new deck and usable yard are a rare treat in an urban neighborhood like Bellevue.

But all those updates aren’t the only things that make this well-maintained house a home. 

“Often, when we talk about real estate, we talk about square footage and yard size and the number of bathrooms and parking spaces,” says Greenawalt. “Rarely do we talk about how a house feels when we walk through the front door, or what it’s like to sit on the porch swing and quietly watch the world go by.  When I walk through the front door of this home, it just feels good.”

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: Bellevue
Population: 8,236
Planes, Trains, & Automobiles: Bellevue borders Pittsburgh’s city limits to the north along the Ohio River. Several bus routes pass directly through town and head Downtown, including two standard routes and a commuter express route. Route 65 and the Parkway North border Bellevue on either side, making it a perfect spot for commuting both in or out of the city. The airport is under a 30-minute commute and ride shares are plentiful in the neighborhood. Residents do not need to have a car due to the amount of walkable amenities in town; students walk to school.
Schools: Northgate School District (northgatesd.net)
Neighborhood: Bellevue, which Pittsburgh Magazine just named one of the region’s hot spots, is a walkable, close-knit community that includes a mix of families and young professionals. The neighborhood has every amenity residents could want — including grocery stores, retail shops, a brewery, restaurants and coffee shops. The town is anchored by Bayne Park and Library, where a weekly farmers market features food trucks, live music and local goods. 

Neighborhood data provided by Niche.