PHOTOS BY KIRSTEN HEAGY/FLY OVER PROPERTIES

Seven years ago,  235 Lafayette Ave. on the North Side sat vacant, with a sign advertising an upcoming auction in the front yard. Mitchell and Beth Thompson noticed it and were intrigued. 

“We were originally looking to buy something for a rental or investment property,” says Mitchell. “But it became clear pretty quickly that the house would be perfect for our family.” 

Still, Beth, who was pregnant with their first child, had no intention of moving; she loved the house they were in at the time. 

“But when I walked the floor plan and saw the unique potential of this classic Victorian, I was won over and felt the nudge to renovate and make it a place to bring our babies home to,” she says.

In 2018, shortly before their baby was born, the couple moved into the 3,000-square-foot, Perry South home. Two children later, they’ve renovated every inch of it. 

For Realtor Tyler Petit of RE/MAX, that careful attention to quality work is the main selling point of the home, which is now list for $469,000. 

“Nearly every major project has already been completed, so the next homeowner should really only need to focus on the regular maintenance that comes with every home,” he says.  

With six bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms, the house does not lack space — nor is it short on amenities or design details. 

“Overall, this home stands out for its combination of functionality, comfort and elegance,” Petit says.  

The Thompsons says they worked hard to achieve a thoughtful balance of these traits in their remodel. Built in 1890, the home was brimming with historical details, although some were lost to disrepair or hidden behind more recent design choices. 

“When we bought it, the original gingerbread woodwork on the exterior porch was completely covered up by cedar shakes,” recalls Beth. 

Looking at old photos, the couple noted what the home used to look like, and then vowed to restore its original elegance. They saved much of the hidden gingerbread and carefully blended any repaired sections with the original millwork. 

“It was an exciting day when Mitchell pulled off the shakes with a crowbar and discovered what was hidden beneath,” Beth says.  

On the main level, the couple focused on creating a contemporary, open floor plan that worked well for their family, but also retained the home’s original charm. The large kitchen features quartz countertops and stainless steel appliances. Separated from the dining room by a spacious breakfast bar, it’s a perfect family hub. 

The original butler’s stairs remain, as do the fireplaces and intricate woodwork. Any new updates were chosen carefully with the age of the home in mind. Rounding out the first floor is the living room, a spacious foyer and a powder room.  With 20 windows surrounding the first floor, the living space is bright at all times of day. 

“I’ve never seen an old historic home in the city with a first floor like this one,” says Beth. “I love all the windows, beautiful wood beams, exposed brick and a large kitchen for entertaining.” 

On the second floor, two of the bedrooms share a full bathroom while the primary bedroom has an ensuite bathroom; each bathroom has been fully updated and renovated. Exposed brick, warm hardwood floors and the original fireplaces bring charm to every level of living space in the home. 

The third floor holds three more large bedrooms — including one with a balcony overlooking the city — and another full bathroom.

Then there’s the outdoor space. 

“There are so many great features of this home, but the one that really stands out to me is the large yard and outdoor entertaining area,” Petit says. 

The tiered deck features a built-in slide for children, and the shady, treed lot is oversized for this area of the city. 

“It is tucked away under a canopy of trees and offers a peaceful escape. It has been an amazing space for the current owners, and I believe any new buyer will see the value,” says Petit. 

Beyond their home and yard, the Thompsons also found welcoming residents. Because Lafayette Avenue is the street that divides Perry South from Fineview, the new owners will be able to enjoy the strong sense of community that both neighborhoods are known for. 

“We’ve become close with both nextdoor neighbors and know most of the folks on the street behind us and on Lafayette,” Beth adds. 

Some of the neighbors have been on the block a long time and shared their memories of the home One neighbor has lived next door for 70 years, says Mitchell. 

“The first time we had him over for dinner, he was overjoyed to see that someone had brought the place back to life,” he says. 

As they move onto their next chapter, Mitchell says he will miss how spacious this home was for their growing family. Beth will miss many things, but she has a soft spot for one particular corner of the home. 

“I will miss the unique little porch on the third floor that looks out to Downtown,” she says. “It was always fun to hear and see the big events from this spot.”

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: Perry South
Population: 4,045
Planes, Trains & Automobiles: Public transportation is a common way folks get around in the North Side, and there are plentiful bus stops in this area of the city. Several T stops in the area also give residents access to Station Square and the South Hills. Ride shares are common and residents do not need a car. The Parkway North is a short drive from Perry South and Pittsburgh International Airport is easily accessed via car or bus.
Schools: Pittsburgh Public Schools (pghschools.org).
Neighborhood: Originally a streetcar suburb that developed around the turn of the 20th century, Perry South (also known as Perry Hilltop) is part of the North Side, which is composed of 18 unique neighborhoods — each with its own vibe. Perry South has a small business district at the intersection of Perrysville Avenue and Charles Avenue, although the commercial district along McKnight Road is a short drive away. Built on a hill, Perry South is a mix of single-family, owner-occupied homes and rental units; many people have been in the neighborhood for decades. 

Neighborhood data provided by Niche.