ABOUT 160 miles separate the town of Warren, Pa., from the big city of Pittsburgh, but the two places have something powerful in common: the Allegheny River, a scenic waterway that meanders for 325 miles after rising near Coudersport in northern Pennsylvania.
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HOW MUCH $1.9 million WHAT 3-bedroom riverfront condominium WHERE Gateway Towers, Fort Duquesne Boulevard, Pittsburgh
HOW MUCH $185,000 WHAT 3-bedroom riverfront condominium WHERE Breeze Point Circle, Warren, Pa.
Unfortunately, for residents of Pittsburgh and Warren, the river has long been obscured by commercial and industrial development.
Now, thanks to downtown riverfront renewal projects, this is changing. In both places, residents (and real estate agents) are reclaiming views of the Allegheny River.
Warren, a quaint town with a population of about 10,000, is nestled in the curve of the Allegheny toward the northwest corner of Pennsylvania. There, a $60 million program called the Impact Warren Project is giving rise to new condominiums and retail space directly on the river. And the Warren Main Street program is reviving the historic street’s original architecture and style, while promoting economic development.
“Boomers and retirees want to live somewhere beautiful, but they don’t want to have to drive to get to services and shops,” said Chris Cheronis, manager of the Main Street Program.
Tony Siliano, owner of Coleen Christy GMAC Realty, said the new condominium development, Breeze Point Circle, is the first of its kind on the river in Warren and was attracting interest even before its completion late last year. Buyers can choose a one-bedroom unit with river views for as little as $149,000.
“The market here is a steady one,” he said. “We don’t see a dramatic appreciation in homes like the rest of the country, but we don’t see the downturns, either. And we don’t have a glut of housing.”
Single-family houses on the river near Warren range from about $50,000 for a cabin with no electricity, up to around $400,000, Mr. Siliano said.
In Pittsburgh, efforts to spur development of riverfront residential housing include programs to convert vacant commercial buildings into rental apartments. “We have programs to help property owners,” said Hollie Plevyak, vice president of marketing and communications at the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership. “The goal is to make it easy to make this a great place to live.”
Approximately 4,000 residents call downtown Pittsburgh home, and this number is expected to reach 6,000 within two years. And while the Gateway Towers was, for decades, the only place to live with river views, there is now another high-rise condominium building and several other condo conversions in what were once riverfront commercial buildings. In addition, earlier this month, after 14 years without one, the first supermarket opened in the neighborhood. “This is a milestone,” Ms. Plevyak said. “It makes the neighborhood a more viable place to live.” She noted that even with increased residential housing options, the downtown vacancy rate for the past few years has remained constant. “When places come on the market, they’re snatched up,” she said.
High
For decades, this 20-story apartment building, which was built in 1966, was one of the only residential buildings overlooking the Allegheny River in downtown Pittsburgh. Now it is attracting a new generation of baby boomers and retirees who want to live in a walkable downtown area close to the river. This 3,800-square-foot unit (originally three apartments that were merged into one large living space) is on the 10th floor. It has walls of windows with unobstructed views of the river, Point State Park and the stadiums at PNC Park and Heinz Field. The apartment, which is being offered fully furnished, has stone and cork flooring and wall-to-wall carpeting in the bedrooms. Countertops are marble, glass and poured concrete. At the unit’s center is a glass bar with a built-in icemaker and wine cooler from which there are views in three directions. The apartment has commercial-grade appliances, including a washer and dryer. There are two and a half bathrooms. Building amenities include a fitness room, a billiards room, a library and a party room. Condo fees: $1,800 a month. Agent: Linda DiBucci, Coldwell Banker — Hampton, (412) 487-0500; www.pittsburghmoves.com.
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Situated on the banks of the Allegheny River in downtown Warren, Breeze Point Circle is part of the first phase of residential construction downtown along the river. These units were completed late in 2007. Until now, riverfront properties in Warren have tended to be commercial. Residential housing is located mostly three to five blocks away in the town’s historic district. (Such homes usually list for $200,000 to $300,000.) This three-story condominium is one of 24 units in two buildings and has 2,080 square feet of living space. All of the rooms at the front have unobstructed views of the Allegheny River. The condominium has basic finishes, but buyers can pay for upgrades. The unit has two and a half bathrooms. It has a balcony overlooking the river with views of a lighted walkway that runs along the water. Shops, restaurants and a new arts center are all within walking distance. The building has geothermal heat and central air conditioning. One outdoor parking space is included. Condo fee: $160 a month. Agent: Melina King, Coleen Christy GMAC Realty, (814) 723-3910; www.coleenchristygmac.com.