South Side Lofts unit has industrial vibe, priced under $250,000
While 2250 Mary St. was built as part of the Duquesne Brewery’s South Side complex in 1950, there is nothing antiquated about the large industrial lofts that inhabit this former warehouse.
Unit 208 in the South Side Lofts is on the market for $249,900 (MLS No. 1536310) and listed with John Adair of Coldwell Banker Realty (412-377-3093 or www.coldwellbankerhomes.com).
This two-bath, one-bedroom loft has exposed steel beams and pipes and a corrugated ceiling. The kitchen and main living and dining spaces are on the first floor, and a set of steps leads up to the loft bedroom, which looks down into the living area and has a walk-in closet and expansive bathroom.
The master bathroom features a jetted tub and large walk-in shower with ceramic tile in earthy shades of gray. The bedroom area has engineered wood flooring that complements the warm concrete floors below.
Residents Laura Moncaleano and German Velasquez, both engineers who are currently working from home, say they rarely turn on the heat unless it gets extremely cold. They often work in T-shirts and socks.
“We have a tiny dog that gets cold very easily, and he’s always nice and warm,” said Moncaleano.
Below the loft is a dining room with recessed lights. A hallway leads to the other full bathroom and a laundry room with a washer and dryer.
The kitchen has a large island that seats four on one side and has drawers and cupboards on the other side. It’s lit by pendant lights that hang from the high ceiling. Stainless-steel appliances include a gas stove, dishwasher, refrigerator and an over-the-stove microwave
with a vent.
Most walls are painted a clean white, a sharp contrast to a brick- and concreteblock wall at the far end of the room. There the couple have set up a work space and a brick bar with room for a wine cooler, refrigerator and glasses. An oversized window adds to the industrial feel of the space.
“Quite a large window and the tall ceiling means a lot of sunlight,” Moncaleano said.
Since the unit faces the South Side Slopes, the sun is strongest in the morning.
Being in an urban Pittsburgh neighborhood doesn’t mean you’re cut off from nature. There are woods just outside the big window.
“Nice thing about this place, the deer love this spot,” Moncaleano said.
The corner of Mary and South 22nd streets is a quiet area by South Side standards but also within walking distance of the restaurants and bars of East Carson Street. In the surrounding blocks, there is ASCEND Pittsburgh, Iron City Circus Arts, the Brewhouse Gallery and South Side Park. Walk three blocks toward the Monongahela River to get to the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and South Side pool.
South Side Lofts residents pay their own utilities and a condo fee of $335 that includes a designated parking space in a gated area and access to the large rooftop deck with views of the South Side Flats and Downtown and Oakland across the river. There is a large foyer at the front of the building.
The condominium’s assessment is $165,000. Over the past three years, 10 units have sold in South Side Lofts for prices ranging from $214,000 in May 2020 to $380,000 in November 2020 (www2.alleghenycounty.us/realestate/GeneralInfo.aspx?).
Moncaleano and Velasquez are moving because he is being transferred to Las Vegas for work. Moncaleano said she will miss Pittsburgh’s rivers and the city’s unique combination of old and new, urban and rustic.
“We love how it transforms itself when the spring comes. The green, it is so beautiful.
“The bridges — I will definitely miss that. The city has this old, old vibe. I think finding that in a city is quite rare. Now we’re moving to a place that is all new,” she said with a very loud sigh.