Craftsman special
1924 house in Brighton Heights features well-preserved ambience
Robin White moved into this Craftsman-style home on the North Side to be near a girlfriend 11 years ago. Now, he’s selling it because his former girlfriend is now his wife and they are settling down outside the city. “It was close to my girlfriend and daughter and I loved the way it looked and in my price range,” he said.
The two-story, three-bedroom home at 3529 Gerber Ave., Brighton Heights (MLS No. 1490259) is on the market for $175,000 with RE/ MAX Real Estate Solutions agent Barb Averill (412-377-4700 or www.realestatesolutionspittsburgh.com). It is under contract.
What makes the house so special isn’t what has been doneto it. It’s all the features that have been preserved.
The 1924 house has a covered front porch and 1,606 square feet filled with original, dark-stained Craftsman woodwork. The front door is simple yet weighty, with two wood panels topped by glass panes and sidelights.
The half-turned front staircase and two landings feature more Craftsman woodwork and a divider with strong vertical and horizontal lines.
The living room has the same dark wood trim and warm, honeytoned hardwood floors. A working brick fireplace is topped by a wood mantel and flanked by built-in cabinets with leaded-glass doors and stained-glass windows.
A wide entrance leads to the dining room, which can be closed off with a pair of French doors. The combination of brick fireplace,
built-in cabinets and leaded and stained glass is repeated in the dining room. Along one side is a large window seat. The walls are painted a neutral cream that contrasts nicely with the dark-stained wood.
The kitchen has manufactured wood flooring, newer wood cabinets and a doubledoor refrigerator, dishwasher and gas stove/oven. A window in the kitchen door reveals the level backyard, where a garden shed will be left for the new owner. A concrete patio has enough space for a table, chairs and grill.
Upstairs are three bedrooms, two with unusual angles created by the traditional Craftsman dormers and low roofline. There is hardwood flooring under the carpeting but White said it is not in good shape. Maybe the new owner will want to refinish it along with the stairs and hallway.
The single bathroom is due for an update. The tub and shower are surrounded by tile and vinyl flooring. A single sink is set in a large vanity.
The basement is unfinished and has a newer boiler and laundry room. The house has radiator heating and a small amount of storage space in the attic.
White pointed out exterior work completed in June 2020 that includes a new metal roof, shakes and gutters. The concrete walk in front is fairly new and there is one off-street parking space. White said it takes about
10 minutes to drive
Downtown and that a bus stop is a 5-minute walk away. On nearby Benton Avenue is a small shopping area that includes a Rite Aid pharmacy.
He said the street is quiet and safe. He will especially miss all that Craftsman woodwork, the built-in cabinetry and his neighbors — “the Millers, great neighbors, real gems,” he said.
The property’s Allegheny County assessment is $42,000. Over the past three years, five houses have sold in the 3500 block of Gerber Avenue ranging in price from $95,000 in April 2019 to $305,000 for the house next-door in Ja nu ary2021(www 2. allegheny county.