The South Side Historic Home Tour returns with 8 unique spaces

The South Side of Pittsburgh offers a variety of living choices from row houses to repurposed buildings and traditional living spaces.

There are lofts and condominiums, some located in a former school and church as well as single-family dwellings and even an Airbnb. Some have a more modern feel while others retain the history of the original structure.

Eight of them will be opening their doors as part of the 29th annual South Side Historic Home Tour on Sunday.

“Each is a reflection of the owner’s own style and tastes,” said Barbara Rudiak, president of South Side Community Council, which is hosting the event.

It’s the first in-person tour since 2019. It was done virtually in 2020 and wasn’t held for the past two years.

“We are extremely grateful for all of the homeowners who are opening their homes for this tour,” said Rudiak. “These homes tell a story not just through their unique architectural features, but also the personal collections of art, family heirlooms, memorabilia and travel treasures housed within.”

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The self-guided tour supports the South Side Community Council. It includes Sarah and Jane streets as well as 18th, 19th and 22nd streets.

Rudiak is part of a five-person committee that reached out to homeowners and volunteers who will work as docents in the houses. She said the volunteers enjoy sharing stories with the homeowners about why they all love living on South Side.

“What we love about this tour is that each house is unique,” said Rudiak. “The tour will showcase that South Side is a walkable neighborhood and one that is so close to Downtown Pittsburgh. Many shops and restaurants are so close by.”

Through visits to the homes, which are all within walking distance, Rudiak said she noticed the care the owners take of their houses and the many interesting details from choices of furniture to color schemes and window treatments. One of the homes has been in the family for decades. The homeowner’s mother grew up there and her grandmother, two aunts and uncle also lived there, and it has the original oak and pine floors. There are two fireplaces and the doors and the woodwork have been refinished.

“The homeowner has referred to the home as a ‘time capsule’ since the home has been in her family since 1937 and many of her family’s treasures can be seen interspersed with those of her own,” Rudiak said. “All of these homes are unique and add a personal touch to this historic neighborhood.”

Another home — a condominium — is referred to as the “glassy house.”

It has a stairway that leads to a 40-foot glass wall-enclosed atrium, which features heated floors. The main level has 26-foot ceilings. The glass detail is throughout the home with a glass dining room table with clear chairs. The space, now used as an Airbnb, was formerly an old garage that was torn down and designed by Mark Frankovitch, a South Side resident.

Located in the former St. Matthew’s Church, a condo still has a window ledge from an original piece of wood from when the church was built in 1904. A neighbor gave the owners two bottles that were found in the basement. They contained church wine that had turned into vinegar, Rudiak said.

She said St. Adalbert’s School has been recreated into condominiums, and one is housed where Rudiak’s grade school classroom was located.

“If you look closely, you might be able to see where the desks had been bolted to the floor and where the radiators were,” she said. “We work on beautification efforts in our parks and on home and garden tour committees to showcase our neighborhood. Community is what we have always done on South Side. It is what keeps us here and, oftentimes, persuades the newcomers to stay.”

The 29th annual South Side Home Tour is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $25. Check in at Velum Brewery, 2120 Jane Street. Children under 12 are not permitted to tour homes.