Located at a prominent corner where residential and commercial zones intersect, this 27-unit condominium blends easily into the fabric of Squirrel Hill, one of Pittsburgh’s most vibrant neighborhoods. It took creative zoning solutions, community involvement, and sympathetic design to successfully develop this property. The building wraps around the apse of a historic stone church, forming a European-style courtyard with an arcade and trees.

PWWG’S DESIGN CREATES A MODERN, SEAMLESS FIT WITH THE STREETSCAPE

• PWWG created an RP (Residential Planned) Zoning District including the church property, consolidating three plots, each in a different zoning district. Rezoning fully leveraged existing conditions: land between the Church and condominium became the entrance courtyard; the condominium used excess development rights of the church property to increase building coverage; and property setbacks were eliminated at the courtyard.
• Sixth Presbyterian Church partnered with the developer to support re-zoning in exchange for cleaning its stone facade, landscaping the grounds, and creating parking spaces in the courtyard. The developer also made a donation to the Church’s affordable housing fund.
• The wood-frame structure of the condominium is masonry-clad, complimenting the church’s heavy stone construction. Metal panels counteract heaviness of the building and nod to its smaller-scale neighbors.
• Facades are set back from the street, to defer to the historic church, and they align with neighboring structures.
• A basement garage was cut into the ground, allowing for resident parking while keeping the condominium levels at three stories.
• The courtyard provides privacy in an urban setting.