PHOTOS BY MICAH BURNS OF FLY OVER PROPERTIES

Associate broker Jessica Baker of Achieve Realty has sold many homes in the Pittsburgh area, but when it comes to 1009 Davis Ave., she’s also selling the Brighton Heights neighborhood — because she loves it that much. 

“I have lived in Brighton Heights for 14 years,” she says. 

Some of the things she enjoys about the neighborhood are the coffee shops, such as California Coffee Bar, boutiques and other local businesses, including Tom Friday’s Market, that she has come to frequent. The close proximity to Downtown, as well as access to shopping in the North Hills, make the location convenient as well. 

If the charm of this home doesn’t win buyers over on its own, Baker believes the community will seal the deal.

“It’s a special neighborhood, a hidden gem of Pittsburgh’s North Side,” she says.

The neighborhood’s walkability also is what drew owners Caitlin and Steven Chiado to the area when they purchased the large Tudor-style home, now listed at $399,000, in 2015.  

“This home was built by Samuel Harbison, for whom the Harbison Chapel at Grove City College was later named,” the Chiados wrote in an email. 

Harbison lived at 1009 Davis while his manse was constructed and then used it to house his large household staff. 

“The mansion was torn down in the 1970s, but at nearly 140 years old, 1009 Davis remains,” the couple wrote. 

The 2,830-square-foot home has another claim to fame — it was once featured on the popular show “This Old House.” The Chiados say legendary host Tom Silva visited their home in 2018. 

“Mr. Silva spent two days filming and installing a new five-panel closet door,” the Chiados wrote. “The episode aired in February 2019.” 

Beyond some celebrity help with the closet, the owners made their own changes since purchasing the five-bedroom, two-bathroom home, including remodeling one bathroom and giving the other a facelift. They’ve also worked hard to keep the 140-year-old home in good shape for the future. 

Baker says her favorite features of the home are the four working fireplaces, among them a log-burning fireplace in the first floor office. The third floor is a blank slate for the next owner, with plenty of space for remote work, a play room or a home gym. The basement features a workshop for creative endeavors, while the driveway includes room for four off-street parking spaces. 

With a clear view of Mount Washington from the back deck, the new residents will also be able enjoy Downtown’s fireworks. While the home is already large, the wraparound porch provides extra living space during milder weather. It’s this feature the Chiados say they’ll miss most of all. 

“The front porch is the perfect place for a hammock stand, and we have spent countless summer evenings swinging with our books,” they share. “The back porch has enough space for a picnic table, grill, fire pit and a raised-bed garden, where we grew our herbs and tomatoes.” 

Their hope is that the home’s next owners fall in love with Brighton Heights just as they did — and they’re willing to share their neighborhood tips. 

“The Humble Barber at the end of the street is the best spot for a trim; be sure to tell the owner, Brad, that we sent you,” they wrote. “We always enjoyed loading our kids into the stroller and taking a walk to California Coffee Bar for a sweet treat.” 

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: Brighton Heights
Population: 7,047
Planes, Trains, & Automobiles: With ample public transportation and quick access to both Route 65 and Interstate 279, Brighton Heights is convenient to nearly everything. Ross Park Mall and the shopping along McKnight Road are less than 15 minutes away while Downtown is just a 10-minute drive. Several bus routes head into the city where commuters can catch the T, and the airport is easily accessible by car or bus.
Schools: Pittsburgh Public Schools (pghschools.org)
Neighborhood: Brighton Heights is  a mix of single-family homes and apartments, Brighton Heights is a walkable and bikeable community. The shops along California Avenue are convenient, and community events happen often. Plans are underway to construct a pedestrian bridge to Riverview Park, which will give residents of Brighton Heights easy access to all of the amenities at the park, including free outdoor concerts, playgrounds, a dog park, a pool, and the Allegheny Observatory. 

Neighborhood data provided by Niche.com