Lawrenceville: Everything You Need in a Close-knit Community

One of Pittsburgh’s oldest and largest neighborhoods, Lawrenceville is becoming a destination for young professionals and families not only because there’s a lot to see and do, but because of the authentic character, creative vibe, and strong sense of community that makes the neighborhood unique.

Situated along the Allegheny River just 15 minutes Northeast from Downtown, Lawrenceville is adjacent to the Strip District, Highland Park, Bloomfield, and Friendship neighborhoods. “The location is perfect,” says Kelly Hoffman, a 29-year-old real estate professional from Delaware who rents a loft on Butler Street, Lawrenceville’s primary business district. “We’re in the heart of the East End and can get to places like Oakland and Shadyside quickly. We’re also just across from Route 28, so it’s very easy to get to the North Hills or to the Fox Chapel area. And we’re a straight shot to Downtown, with frequent bus service right into town.”

Lawrenceville begins at 34th Street. Its business districts are Butler Street from 34th to 55th Street, Penn Avenue from 34th to 45th Streets, and Liberty Avenue from 34th to 40th Streets. Homes are located either on the flat section between Butler Street and the river, or on the hills between Butler Street and Penn and Liberty Avenues, the two major arteries connecting Downtown to the East End.

The housing stock and affordability are some of the main attractions for professionals interested in buying their first home. Homebuyers can choose from small brick rowhouses or large, Victorian-era rowhouses and detached homes, most built in the early 1920s and retaining interesting architectural elements. Fixer-uppers can be had for between $25,000 and $90,000, depending on location and condition. Those seeking a home in move-in condition can choose from homes already restored (typically priced from $65,000 to $150,000) or rent one of the many lofts along Butler Street, ranging $600 to $1200.

While young people are moving to the area, many multi-generational families originally from Ireland, Germany, Poland, Croatia, and Serbia still live in the neighborhood, creating an interesting mix. The younger crowd who enjoys hanging out at the hip, new bars like Brillobox and Remedy mesh nicely with the more senior residents who frequent neighborhood staples like Nied’s Hotel and Hambone’s. The frequent community events like the Memorial Day Parade, Fourth of July Celebration, Doo-Dah Days (celebrating Stephen Collins Foster of “Oh Susannah” and “Camptown Races” fame, whose father founded Lawrenceville and who is buried in Allegheny Cemetery), Art All Night, Lawrenceville Artists’ Studio Tour, House Tour, and Joy of Cookies—Cookie Tour are well-attended by young and old residents alike.

Residents are attracted to the many amenities Lawrenceville offers. Boutiques like Sugar Boutique, Pavement, Accezzorize, and Elements carry fashion, footwear, and jewelry from local, emerging, and world-renowned designers as well as vintage styles. Unique shops like Jay Design Soaps & Gifts, Divertido, Dandelions, and Equita offer treasures like hand-made soaps, funky children’s gifts, whimsical antiques, and fair trade and organic items for body and home. Creative types will enjoy designing their own jewelry at Crystal Bead Bazaar and painting their own pottery at Kiln-N-Time. Great art galleries, including Borelli-Edwards Galleries, La Vie, Gallery on 43rd Street, Digging Pitt Gallery, EveryOne An Artist Gallery, Trinity Gallery, Zombo Gallery, Slaughterhouse Gallery, Hawk Studios and Gallery, and ASHgalleries host frequent opening receptions for new art exhibits, where people can mingle with the artists and purchase new art.

Coffee shops like Coca Café, Crazy Mocha, and Perk Me Up offer light fare, desserts, and coffee and tea while restaurants like Piccolo Forno, River Moon Café, Sweet Basil/La Filipiniana, Tram’s Restaurant, Church Brew Works, Taste of India, and Sammy’s Famous Corned Beef provide unforgettable meals. Evening entertainment includes bowling at Arsenal Lanes, karaoke and drinks at the Thunderbird Café, and relaxing at bar/restaurants like Sufak’s Round Corner Bar & Grille and Geno’s Restaurant.

Lawrenceville is also home to the 16:62 Design Zone, a regional destination for art- and design-related goods and services. Here, homeowners can work with local woodworkers like Jones Furniture Designs and Kelly Custom Furniture & Cabinetry to build custom kitchen cabinets and wood furniture, find vintage furniture at Who New? Retro-Mod Decor, upholster furniture at T’s Upholstery, and get art framed at The Framery.

Friendly service-oriented businesses abound in the area, including day cares, eye doctors like Lawrenceville Vision Care and Arianna Optical, dentists like Drs. Murcko, Murcko, and Strcula, and banks, including PNC Bank, First Commonwealth Bank, Citizens Bank, and Allegheny Valley Bank. A number of fantastic salons call Lawrenceville home, including Salon 22, Jeffrey Smith Studio, and Evolve Modern Hairdressing. Residents calm their thoughts at Pratique Yoga or free their creative energy at Tracie Yorke Dance and Pittsburgh Dance Arts.

Lawrenceville is also home to cutting-edge employers like Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh (opening in 2009) and Carnegie Mellon University’s National Robotics Engineering Center.

There’s plenty of green space to play in, too. Arsenal Park has tennis court, ballfields, and a playground. Allegheny Cemetery, one of the largest and oldest cemeteries in the country, has rolling, wooded hills, beautiful old mausoleums, and a duck pond and fountain, perfect for contemplative strolls. A kayak launch at 40th Street provides access to the river, where a short trail will eventually connect with Pittsburgh’s other riverfront trails.

While people may at first be attracted to Lawrenceville because of the historic, affordable homes and many amenities, they move to the neighborhood because of its strong sense of community and authentic character. It’s a genuinely friendly place, where residents host progressive dinners and porch crawls. It’s artsy without being pretentious, vibrant while still being edgy, and inviting to everyone. “There’s a sense of authenticity and friendliness that’s very welcoming,” says Kate Trimble, a 34-year-old new mother originally from South Carolina, who owns a house in Lawrenceville and heads up a local community revitalization group . “There’s nowhere else in the city I’d rather live than in Lawrenceville!”

Editorial Provided by: Jennifer Kent, Business District Manager for the Lawrenceville Corporation