Shadyside: One of Pittsburgh’s Best Neighborhoods

If you walk through Shadyside today, you will experience charming Victorian homes, many unique shops, and eateries, as well as one of the most historically rich areas of Pittsburgh.

Shadyside has also been known as one of Pittsburgh’s best neighborhoods. This awesome claim to fame comes from the fairly, convenient public transportation, nightlife, nearby universities, and walkability.

We’re visiting some of the key places which led to Shadyside being known as a millennial hot spot.  

The Neighborhood

First, let’s talk about Shadyside’s walkability. What we’re trying to say is you can literally walk to just about everything you may need. Restaurants, local shops, grocery stores, and so much more are within a ten-minute walking distance.

Shadyside’s quiet, tree-lined neighborhood is simply a joy for anyone who likes to go for a little stroll after work. Plus, this neighborhood always has events going on. From the summer long, Sunday morning farmers market to the Annual Sidewalk Sale and the Arts Festival. 

Check out Think Shadyside’s Facebook events to keep up to date on upcoming events.

Photo from Think Shadyside Facebook page, credit goes to Richard Prescott.

The Bare Necessities

Moving on to living necessities like the food scene, services, gym and everything in between.

There is a Whole Foods on Centre Ave and a Trader Joes on Penn Ave, so your grocery needs will undoubtedly be met. The food scene has a variety of options as well. You can find American bistro, Asian cuisine, authentic Mexican dishes and so much more.

Click here to discover some favorite restaurants in Shadyside that happen to have awesome happy hours!

Shadyside, however, is not just a one-dimensional “entertainment zone”  dominated by restaurants and retail. It is a true “neighborhood” with service providers for all of your life’s needs at your fingertips like Automotive care (Bastone’s), Zumba classes (Club One Fitness), primary care medical doctors, financial advisers, dry cleaning to hair salons.  And what’s even better is the comfortable mix of both independent locally-owned businesses that flourish, even side-by-side with the “big chains” that are so prevalent today. ”

If you already live in Shadyside or are thinking of moving to the area, Think Shadyside has the low down on all the things you need to know.

If you’re the type of person who likes to stay fit, Shadyside has a variety of gyms and yoga studios for you to check out. The Barre Code is located on South Aiken Street. This gym focuses on cardio, strength, restoration, and most importantly, empowerment.

Harmony Pilates is another great fitness choice located on South Highland Ave. Their crew focuses on how movement or exercise can improve your daily life.

The Heart of the East End

When you live in Shadyside, you are just steps from the best that the East End’s diversity has to offer. From checking out the lush gardens at Phipps Conservatory, catching a show at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater, or shopping locally for the latest styles at Hey Betty.

We feature many of these local businesses through our Instagram feed but here are a few of the outdoorsy places we believe capture the essence of East Shadyside.  

One of your first stops needs to be Shadyside’s Walled Garden at Mellon Park, just across Fifth Avenue. You’ll find this gorgeous, stroll-worthy location behind the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts and the Phipps Garden Center. The Walled Garden was developed on the Mellon Estate back in 1912.

Need a second to escape the chaos of life? The Walled Garden is the go-to place to relax. Plus, during September 7th through the 9th, head out to A Fair in the Park for the annual contemporary fine art and creft festival. 

Photo from the Mellon Park site credited to Jeremy Marshall

If you have a love for historic charm, Shadyside has a few landmarks you need to check out for yourself.

As you head toward the heart of Shadyside, you’ll find Howe Springs. This structure was originally built in 1896 then renovated in 1912 by notable Pittsburgh based architect W. H. Van Tine. It’s located between S. Highland Ave and College Street.

The Howe Family was inspired to create the spring to represent free water accessibility for all following the devastation of Johnstown Flood in 1889. Howe Springs became a City Historical Landmark by Preservation Pittsburgh in January of 2016.

Resource: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howe_Springs

Lastly, the Hunt Armory on Emerson Street was completed in 1916 and designed by Pittsburgh architect W.G. Wilkins Co. It has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places since 1991 and received historical landmark status from the City of Pittsburgh in 2014. 

From Franklin West’s perspective, Hunt Armory is near and dear to our hearts. Did you know that our office, 272 Shady Avenue, was once owned by Alfred Hunt. Indeed, ALCOA was founded in what is now our front office.

Before the Pittsburgh Civic Arena was completed in 1961, the Hunt Armory was the largest auditorium in Pittsburgh hosting concerts and political events. In October 1948, the Hunt Armory staged Harry S. Truman with a crowd of 25,000. Another famous event happened in 1969 when Led Zeppelin’s North American Tour came to the Armory.

The future of the Hunt Armory has been the subject of much discussion. Aiming to both preserve its architectural heritage and to creatively re-use it for the benefit of all, development plans are in the works for it to become the first, and only, year-round ice hockey and figure skating rink in the city.

Resource: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunt_Armory

Living in Shadyside

So where does Franklin West Apartments fit within one’s love for Shadyside? We take pride in preserving and renovating many of the Victorian-era mansions in the Shadyside area. Our residents just adore the character and charm of our apartments.

Over the years, our team has selected and carefully restored buildings of historic value and preserved the original characteristics of the time period. By pairing contemporary interiors with high ceilings, fireplaces, hardwood floors, and original stained glass, we create unique, comfortable residences of architectural beauty and integrity.

Interested in the history of your home? Our website showcases the interesting backgrounds on many of our buildings. If only these walls could talk! Take a look at our current listings.

Still unsure if Shadyside is the right place for you to call home? Check out our Instagram feed for the best our neighborhood has to offer from local shops to eateries, and seasonal events to things-to-do on a Friday night.