USA Today recognized Pittsburgh’s Lawrenceville neighborhood as one of America’s 10 greatest urban neighborhoods to explore. The rising population of artists and “creatives” in the area has sparked a renaissance for the community and its identity.
At one time, Lawrenceville was a working-class neighborhood, replete with row-houses and a standard grid street layout. It has retained the “unaffected” charm of its roots while refreshing the architectural landscape through restoration of historic landmarks and the addition of renovated spaces in abandoned or dilapidated lots. A rash of condos, some of which are LEED-certified and progressively built, have cropped up, and more are on the way. In storefronts that were once boarded up or left to deteriorate, we now find vibrant, quirky, boutiques that keep their displays current and entertaining. Most of these shops attract an eclectic, urban crowd of individuals in creative arts and businesses.
Lawrenceville is not a one-trick pony, however, they’ve done a wonderful job of cultivating a variety of operations. Coffee shops, breakfast/brunch places, restaurants, unique clothing & shoe stores, bakeries, art galleries, a black box theater, architectural firms, florists, a museum, “green” building experts, and marketing firms are just a few of the businesses found on Butler Street, the main thoroughfare through town.
There is an ongoing trend of homebuyers purchasing properties that need TLC and turning them into amazing, multi-story homes with open floor plans, state-of-the-art interior design, and environmentally friendly materials. Being that the neighborhood is a confluence of “lifers” and new blood, it’s important to note that this has created a unified push for the beautification of the area, versus a discordant tension between the two camps. It’s not unusual to find most Lawrenceville neighbors on the sidewalks until sundown with their families, socializing with patrons at outdoor café seating or discussing the local events at the children’s playground.
Due to its ideal location and the city’s support of alternative modes of transportation, Lawrenceville hosts many options for those living there or visiting. There is a strong and active biking community as well as sidewalks throughout the entire neighborhood. Multiple buses run through the streets day and night, making it ideal for medical professionals and students to make it to work or school on time without the hassle of parking downtown or in traffic-saturated Oakland. Route 28 is only across the bridge, the famed Strip District is a mere few blocks away, Pittsburgh’s acclaimed Children’s Hospital has called Lawrenceville home for many years (making this a gateway to the medical arts buildings and hospitals farther East), downtown is minutes South, and the East End is easily accessible by bike, bus, and of course, car.
The future of Lawrenceville is certain: there are currently real estate investments and plans to refresh the historic architecture and continue the trend toward progressive design. The population has been on the rise and is one of the largest neighborhood areas in Pittsburgh. The merchant community enjoys burgeoning, and loyal, patronage. The town is host to more than 50 locally owned restaurants, and the number seems to keep growing.
Pittsburgh is proud to have Lawrenceville named as one of the 10 greatest urban neighborhoods in the nation. Hip, promising, and true to its roots, it’s a Steel City gem.
