PHOTOS BY JOSH YENCIK, HYDRO HAWK PHOTOGRAPHY

In 2016, Pittsburgh natives Paul and Olga Schwartz were looking for a place to stay in their home town for a few days while attending their daughter’s wedding.

At the time, the couple was living in Maryland when Olga came across a listing for 304 Bigbee St. Between the open-concept main level designed for entertaining and Downtown’s iconic skyline as a backdrop, Olga thought the townhome perched on the edge of Mount Washington would be the perfect spot to host their daughter’s rehearsal dinner, too.

“We asked the owner if he would sell it,” she recalls.

As it turned out, the couple had another reason for their interest in the townhouse. After years of practicing in the D.C metro area, Paul, a maxillofacial surgeon, had received an opportunity to teach at the University of Pittsburgh.

By the end of 2016, a deal had been reached — and Pittsburgh was the couple’s home once again.

With 2,800 square feet spread over three levels, the spacious three-bedroom home has two full bathrooms and two powder rooms. The garage enters into the home’s lowest level, which also includes a finished den and storage area. An elevator connects the entry level to two more floors, making this home a great option for aging buyers or those with limited mobility.

The main level of the home is fully open concept. While the stairs and elevator provide access from the garage to the main living space, there is also a front door that opens directly into the living room. At the front of the townhouse, a glass-railed patio showcases that priceless city vista that first captured Olga and Paul’s attention.

“The view is just amazing; it’s kind of like being on Grandview Avenue but without the crowds,” says Paul.

A park in front of the home means nothing will ever obstruct that view, either.

“From sunrise to sunset, it’s a different view all day,” Paul adds. “And at night…it’s incredible.”

Given the openness of the main floor, the city skyline serves as natural artwork for the living space. A combination of honey-toned and navy cabinets is a welcome departure from today’s white kitchens, and dark stone countertops tie the two-toned look together. Hardwood floors throughout help make the open space feel even more cohesive.

While one kitchen island contains the cooktop and bar-height seating, a second large kitchen island has a sink; it offers some separation from the dining area while also working well as a buffet for dinner parties. A walled patio at the rear of the home extends the kitchen space during warm weather as well.

On the top floor of the home, two sun-filled bedrooms share a bathroom with double sinks and a laundry room. At the front of the home, the primary suite enjoys the same priceless view as the living room. While the home did not require many upgrades when they bought it, Paul and Olga did revamp the primary bathroom.

“It was an extensive project,” Olga says.

Now looking to relocate closer to family, the couple has listed the home they fell in love with nearly a decade ago for $1.225 million with realtor Kelly Frey at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices.

While Frey says the home’s main level is made for hosting family gatherings and fireworks watch parties on the Fourth of July, she also loves the way the home lends itself to day-to-day life.

“I imagine growing my flowers and vegetable garden in the private courtyard and sipping coffee in the morning or a cocktail in the evening on the front balcony overlooking the city,” Frey says. “Doesn’t that sound fabulous? It truly is a home you will never want to leave.”

For Frey, the neighborhood also holds a special place in her heart.

“When my husband and I first moved back to Pittsburgh more than 25 years ago, we lived on Grandview Avenue,” she recalls.

Frey’s fond memories of the neighbors and the local businesses, not to mention the home’s convenient location above Downtown, has made it one of her favorite neighborhoods to sell in. She adds that the home has been well maintained and is turnkey ready for the next owners.

Like Frey, Paul and Olga have loved living in such a vibrant neighborhood. From evening walks to block parties, they say there is a strong sense of friendliness and community, with residents watching out for one another’s homes, watering plants and bringing in packages when their neighbors are away.

“It’s an easy place to live in and maintain,” says Paul. “You could leave it for six months and not worry about it.”

While the couple is excited about their next adventure, both agree it will be hard to give up that view.

“We will go several times a day and just look out the window at the city,” says Olga. “We begin the day looking at it from the bedroom, and end every day looking at it. It’s just…”

“Mesmerizing,” says Paul, finishing his wife’s sentence.

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: Mount Washington
Population: 8,765
Planes, Trains, & Automobiles: Few places in Pittsburgh are as centrally located as Mount Washington. A quick trip down the hill provides access to all of the city’s major arteries, and both inclines run directly from Grandview Avenue to parts of Station Square (the Duquesne Incline descends farther up the Mon River toward the Point at 1197 W. Carson St.). Several bus routes through the region and a walkable business district with a grocery store mean residents of Mount Washington do not necessarily need a car.
Schools: Pittsburgh Public Schools (pghschools.org)
Neighborhood: Mount Washington has a vibrant, walkable business district with both sit-down and quick-service restaurants. Many young professionals call the neighborhood home due to the easy commute and vibrant nightlife, but there are also many families with children in the community. It is ranked as one of the top 10 Pittsburgh neighborhoods to buy a home in, with a strong camaraderie among residents and plentiful green space for recreation.