5 Historic Shadyside Homes Still Occupied Today

By 1910, the Industrial Revolution had made Pittsburgh home to some of the wealthiest people in the world. Names like Andrew Carnegie, Andrew Mellon, and Henry Clay Frick had amassed fortunes from the rise of steel and manufacturing.  Shadyside and the East End had emerged as Pittsburgh’s most affluent suburb, and home to many of these industrialists.  Spectacular mansions were built for these families.  Mansions that have withstood the test of time and are still in use today.  In no particular order, here are some of my favorite historic Shadyside homes.

1. Moreland-Hoffstot House

Year Built:  1914
Architect:  Paul Irwin
Last Sold:  $2,400,000 (2016)
Description:  Originally built for the family of Andrew Moreland, president of the GT&T Company, treasurer of Iron Trade Products Company, and officer of A.M. Moreland & Company. Andrew was married to a member of the New York, Oelrichs family who built "Rosecliff" in Newport, Rhode Island.  This house is in the same tradition as "Rosecliff." 

The home was sold to Henry Phipps Hoffstot in 1929.  He was the vice-president in charge of operations of the Pressed Steel Car Company and president of its subsidiary, the Koppel Industrial Car and Equipment Company.  The home is still owned by the Hoffstot family today.

2. Sellers-Carnahan House

Year Built:  1858
Architect:  Unknown
Last Sold:  $1,050.00 (2002)
Description:  One of the first mansions built in Shadyside, this home was constructed as part of a 10 acre estate for Priscilla and Francis Sellers when the area was still considered a rural escape from the city.  In addition to this home, the estate consisted of another 2 story tenant house and several other smaller structures.  Today only the carriage house remains (now 6220 Sellers Way) which has been converted into a single family home.

The house was purchased by Jay W. Carnahan in 1888, and remained in his possession until it was donated to the Calvary Episcopal Church in 1947.  The home was later converted back into a single-family residence, and it is currently occupied today.

3. Andrew W Mellon House

Year Built:  1887
Architect:  Unknown
Last Sold:  N/A
Description:  Prominent banker and US Secretary of the Treasury Andrew Mellon purchased the home from George McCully Laughlin in 1917.  Mr. Mellon made major renovations and additions to the property including the addition of a swimming pool, bowling alley, tennis courts, breakfast room, and gardens.  The home was donated to Chatham University by Paul and Mary Mellon in 1940.  It currently serves as the school’s student center and administrative office space.

4. Harvey Childs House

Year Built:  1896
Architect:  Peabody & Sterns
Last Sold:  N/A
Description:  The home was built for Harvey Childs, a Western University of Pennsylvania (now University of Pittsburgh) trustee and one of three Pittsburgh citizens that played a role in the origins of the Allegheny Observatory.  The home was given to the University to serve as a residence for its chancellor in 1966 by then owner Leon Falk, Jr. who served as vice chairman of the university's Board of Trustees.  University of Pittsburgh Chancellors still calls this mansion home today.

5. Negley-Gwinner-Harter House

Year Built:  1871
Architect:  Unknown
Last Sold:  $800,000 (1995)
Description:  The home was built for William B. Negley, a Princeton educated lawyer who lived there until the death of his wife in 1910.  It was purchased by Edward Gwinner, a stone and railroad contractor who had it remodeled and expanded by renown Pittsburgh architect Fredrick J. Osterling.  The home was sold to Dr. Leo Harter in 1963, and in 1987, a fire caused by a paint-stripping gun during renovation burned much of the third floor and damaged the roof. Dr. Harter died in 1988, and the house sat vacant for eight years, was boarded up, and had even been considered for demolition. In 1995, restoration contractor Joedda Sampson and her husband Ben, a builder and developer, purchased the property and restored it.