Regent Square condominium offers Frick Park views for $165,000
“Location, location, location” is the mantra in real estate, and it’s especially true for a first-floor condominium at 813 S. Braddock Ave. in the Squirrel Hill section of Regent Square.
The front porch offers a lovely view of Frick Park, a jewel of a public park with ballfields, playgrounds, paths and lots of urban green space. It’s a big reason why Michelle Zuckerman bought the condo nine years ago.
“I loved the proximity to Frick Park, which is literally across the street, and the canopy of trees provides a respite where you don’t even realize you’re in the city,” she said. “And I was enamored with the commercial district of Regent Square,” including but not limited to hot dogs at D’s Six Pax and Dogz.
Ms. Zuckerman has listed the two-bedroom, one-bath unit with off-street parking for $165,000 (MLS No. 1469816) with Patrick Benton of Coldwell Banker Real Estate Services (412-251-1192 or coldwellbankerhomes.com). It is open by appointment in accordance with COVID-19 guidelines.
The front porch leads to a foyer with stairs to the upper units and doors leading to the ground-floor units. Inside this unit, a long hallway with recessed lighting leads to
the living areas.
“What is nice is because there are windows all along that side, there is a lot of natural light in every room in the house,” said Ms. Zuckerman.
The living spaces and bedrooms have unique angles, original hardwood flooring and exposed-brick fireplaces. The living and dining rooms are one large space separated by a double-sided fireplace.
Ms. Zuckerman said the unusual layout is great for entertaining.
“I understand that one of the neighbors [in the building] has their fireplace functioning as a gas fireplace,” Ms. Zuckerman said, noting that she has not tried to make the four in this condo operational.
Two large windows in the living room and one in the dining area bring in sunlight through the day.
Off the dining room is a large eat-in kitchen with a black-andwhite ceramic tiled floor and white cabinets. There is a refrigerator, dishwasher, gas stove and wine chiller. Next to it is a large pantry that could be a breakfast nook and a large closet with a new stacked washer and dryer.
A door from the pantry leads to the rear of the building, where each resident has one parking space.
The full bathroom has a combination shower/jetted tub and ceramic tile on the walls and floor. A large dressing room offers lots of closet spaceand a full-length mirror.
“There is an enormous hall closet,” Ms. Zuckerman said. “If you took everything out, you could use it as an office. In Manhattan, it would function as a bedroom.”
Built in 1940, the three-story brick building contains six units and is surrounded by single- and multifamily homes.
“It’s not unusual to sit on the front porch talking with neighbors and ending up with an impromptu barbecue,” Ms. Zuckerman said.
Transportation is another reason she picked this condominium.
The bus stop is literally outside the door.
“It’s regular and I used to take it to work” at the University of Pittsburgh, said Ms. Zuckerman.
The building has gas heating and central air conditioning. The homeowners association fee of $285 per month covers insurance, sewage, general maintenance and repair including the furnace and roof.
The unit’s 2020 assessed value (building only) is $107,000. Over the past two years, three homes have sold in the 800 block of South Braddock Avenue for prices ranging from $159,000 for a condominium in April 2018 to $523,000 for a single-family house in May 2019 (www2.alleghenycounty.us/RealEstate/ GeneralInfo.aspx?).