If you’re looking for an apartment for rent in Pittsburgh, the city of Pittsburgh is a great option. It has a long and rich history as captured in the Carnegie Museums, Heinz History Center, and the Fort Pitt Museum.
But there’s another, less obvious way to learn the story of this city- its architecture. Many of the city’s neighborhoods host historic buildings and homes that have survived the eras of modernization, watching Pittsburgh evolve from a bustling steel town into the high-tech haven for medicine and education that it is today.
Each of these properties has its own story to tell. Here at Birgo, one of our favorite ways to improve our community is to find historic gems that have been overlooked and forgotten, revitalize them with modern amenities, and preserve the character and history of the building. We recently completed one such development of a 19th-century home on the North Side of the city, The Hamilton. Maybe this apartment for rent in its quaint Pittsburgh neighborhood will suit your style.
Scroll below to see the progression of this historic property:
- Early stages of renovations at the Hamilton.
The home had previously been vacant for years.
The story behind the building
Irishman William Hamilton and his wife, Mary (also an Irish immigrant), constructed this home in 1893 in what was originally Allegheny City. Mr. Hamilton’s excellent craftsmanship could be seen throughout the magnificent home, from the hand-crafted mantles to the winding staircase. At the time of the home’s construction, Allegheny City, where the North Side now rests, housed some of the wealthiest and most influential people in the country.
William Hamilton emigrated from Ireland to Pittsburgh with his parents before the Civil War and received much of his education in the city. In 1862, Mr. Hamilton founded Hamilton, Lemmon, Arnold & Company, a casket manufacturing firm. They manufactured coffins for the war and, over time, his business became known as the National Casket Company. Mr. Hamilton operated the large organization as its president until his retirement in 1903. The Hamiltons contributed greatly to the city’s growth and development over the decades through their consistent involvement in the social, political, and religious life of the city.
Over time, the property changed hands as it was passed down through generations and was eventually sold to an entity outside of the family. The beautiful home began to lose some of its brilliance and gradually fell into a state of disrepair. Birgo Realty stepped into the space decades later with a plan to revitalize the Irishman’s home to its past splendor. By complementing the original features with modern innovations, Birgo Realty restored “The Hamilton” to honor Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton’s vision.
Renovating unique homes like The Hamilton is no easy feat, but we find that it is always worth the investment. To read a little more about the details of preserving the extraordinary features of historic homes, check out our blog on historic homes here.
If you’d like to make The Hamilton your home and you’d like this apartment to rent, contact one of our leasing agents today or book a showing through our website. If you’re just visiting the Pittsburgh neighborhood, come stay with us at The Hamilton Airbnb!
