Apartments on Academy offer 1930s architectural amenities
The Apartments on Academy are in suburban Mt. Lebanon, but they have a slightly urban feel due to the nearby Washington Road business district with its shops, restaurants, schools, medical and dental offices, banks, churches and Mt. Lebanon Public Library.
The buildings are 6 miles from Downtown and surrounded by older apartment buildings and single-family homes.
Built in 1930, the 56 apartments at 44 and 50-60 Academy Ave. still have lots of original details that reveal the time in which they were built. There are hardwood floors, large closets and original solidwood doors with crystal door knobs. Many units have older but well-maintained ceramic tile on the floors and walls of the bathrooms. Some apartments have patios, covered porches or balconies and stained glass in the windows or doors.
The heat is provided by
radiators, and although there is no central air-conditioning, each apartment has one window unit.
Studio apartments (450 square feet) rent for $675-$725 per month; onebedroom units (650 square feet) for $845; and two-bedrooms (1,000 square feet) are $1,075.
Vacancies are infrequent because tenants are often content to live there for many years, said Lauren Ball, site manager for Birgo Realty (birgo.com or 412-567-1324). Residents include retirees, young professionals and families with young children.
Two apartments are currently vacant and will be available when renovation work is complete, she said.
The complex is petfriendly and charges $35 per month for pets.
“There are two floors of covered parking under the building, available for $85 a month, and some outdoor spaces for $65,” Ball said.
On-site parking is a precious commodity in this densely built, older community with many apartment buildings.
Mellon Middle School and Washington Elementary School, a blue-ribbon school, are an easy walk away. Mt. Lebanon High School is also within walking distance. Also close by is a Port Authority T station, and PAT buses run regularly on Washington Road into the city.