Living in Lawrenceville, Pittsburgh: A Local Guide

Name: Mike Pastor
Address: 5310 Perrysville Rd, Pittsburgh, PA, 15229, US
Telephone: 412-214-9494
Price range: $$
Rating: 5.0

Overview & Orientation

Lawrenceville is one of Pittsburgh’s largest neighborhoods, stretching along the Allegheny River northeast of Downtown. It was founded in 1814, and its history is tied to the Allegheny Arsenal and the riverfront mills. Today, narrow row houses and converted warehouses line its streets, and Butler Street, the main business corridor, runs the length of the neighborhood with shops, restaurants, and galleries.

Where Lawrenceville Is

City and county: City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County
Official neighborhoods: Lower, Central, and Upper Lawrenceville. As Wikipedia notes, the distinctions have little practical effect, and most people treat Lawrenceville as one place.
ZIP code: 15201
Neighbors: The Strip District to the southwest, Bloomfield and Garfield to the south, Stanton Heights and Morningside to the east, and Millvale, Etna, and Sharpsburg across the Allegheny River

Typical Drive Times

Times are approximate and vary by where in Lawrenceville you start. Traffic varies by time of day.

Destination	About
Strip District	5–10 minutes
Downtown Pittsburgh	10–15 minutes
Oakland	10–15 minutes
North Hills (McKnight Road)	20–25 minutes
Pittsburgh International Airport	30–40 minutes

A Brief History

William B. Foster founded Lawrenceville in 1814 and named it for Captain James Lawrence, a naval hero of the War of 1812. That same year, the U.S. Army opened the Allegheny Arsenal on about 30 acres stretching from Penn Avenue to the river. The site was chosen for its river access and its closeness to what was then the nation’s only iron-producing district. During the Civil War, the Arsenal made ammunition for Union troops. On September 17, 1862, an explosion there killed 78 workers, the largest civilian disaster of the war.

Lawrenceville became a borough in 1834 and was annexed to Pittsburgh in 1868. Mills and factories grew along the river, and row houses were built for the people who worked in them. In 2019, the Lawrenceville Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The WESA walking history has more.

Notable Landmarks

Doughboy statue: A World War I memorial at Penn Avenue and Butler Street, dedicated in 1921
Arsenal Park: Nine acres on the former Arsenal grounds, dedicated in 1907, with surviving Arsenal buildings and stone walls nearby
Allegheny Cemetery: A 300-acre wooded, nonsectarian cemetery founded in 1844, with a Butler Street gatehouse listed on the National Register
Lawrenceville Library: One of the first Carnegie libraries in the country, opened in 1898

Housing & Real Estate

Housing Stock

Lawrenceville keeps much of its industrial-era look. Many streets and alleys are lined with narrow brick and frame row houses from the 19th and early 20th centuries, and Butler Street keeps many original storefront facades. Older industrial buildings have been converted to lofts and apartments, and newer townhomes and apartment buildings have been added in recent years.

Some homes are on lots that slope toward the river, and parking is often on-street. Older homes may have original features, so a careful inspection is worth the time. Before buying near the river, check the FEMA Flood Map Service Center.

Types of Homes

Row houses and attached homes
Detached single-family homes
Newer townhomes
Lofts, condominiums, and apartments

Prices and availability change daily, so the live feed is the place to check. See current homes for sale in Lawrenceville.

Schools

Public Schools

Lawrenceville is served by Pittsburgh Public Schools. Neighborhood school assignment follows the district’s feeder pattern and depends on the exact address. The district also runs magnet programs that accept applicants citywide.

In the neighborhood: Pittsburgh Arsenal PreK–5 and Pittsburgh Arsenal 6–8, two separate schools sharing the Arsenal school building at 220 40th Street, built in 1931–32
Feeder schools: Check the district’s school finder or the city’s feeder pattern boundaries for a specific address

Colleges & Universities

University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University in Oakland
Chatham University, Carlow University, and Duquesne University, a short drive away

For school performance data, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Future Ready PA Index and the district’s own website. School assignments can change. Confirm directly with the district.

Getting Around

Major Roads

Butler Street: The main street, running the length of the neighborhood along the river
Penn Avenue: Runs southwest into the Strip District and Downtown
River crossings: The 40th Street Bridge to Millvale and the 62nd Street Bridge to Sharpsburg connect to PA Route 28 on the north shore

Public Transit

Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) buses run along Butler Street and Penn Avenue toward Downtown and Oakland. Check the PRT trip planner for current routes and schedules.

Walkability & Bikeability

Lawrenceville is one of the most walkable parts of the city, especially near Butler Street, and most errands can be done on foot. Biking is also convenient. See Walk Score for Central Lawrenceville for walking, transit, and bike ratings.

Things to Do

Butler Street

Butler Street is lined with independent restaurants, coffee shops, bars, boutiques, galleries, and design studios. Part of the corridor is known as the 16:62 Design Zone for its concentration of art and design businesses. See Pittsburgh Magazine’s Lawrenceville guide.

Parks and Green Space

Arsenal Park covers nine acres on the former Arsenal grounds, near the surviving powder magazine and officers’ quarters. Allegheny Cemetery, a 300-acre wooded hillside along Butler Street, is one of the oldest rural cemeteries in the country and is open for walking and self-guided tours.

Annual Events

From the Lawrenceville seasonal events calendar:

Art All Night (late April): A free, 24-hour community art show open to professional and amateur artists
Arsenal Park Independence Day Celebration (Saturday before July 4): A neighborhood tradition for more than six decades
Lawrenceville Hospitality House Tour (early October): Residents open their homes to show off the neighborhood’s architecture
Artist’s Studio Tour (mid-November): A look inside local creative spaces
The Joy of Cookies Cookie Tour (holiday season): A free cookie walk through the Butler Street business district

Library

The Lawrenceville branch of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh is at 279 Fisk Street. It opened on May 10, 1898, and was the first Carnegie library with open shelves and the first library with a dedicated children’s room.

Local Services & Resources

City of Pittsburgh Services

As a city neighborhood, Lawrenceville gets its services from the City of Pittsburgh. For non-emergency requests, such as missed trash pickup, potholes, or streetlights, contact Pittsburgh 311.

Trash and recycling: Collected by the city. Check the city website or 311 for your collection day and recycling schedule.
Snow removal and street services: City Department of Public Works, through 311

Emergency Services

Emergencies: Call 911
Police, fire, and EMS: Provided by the City of Pittsburgh’s Bureau of Police, Bureau of Fire, and Pittsburgh EMS. For non-emergency questions, start with 311.

Hospitals

UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, in Lawrenceville since 2009
AHN West Penn Hospital (Bloomfield) and UPMC Shadyside, a short drive away

Permits & Zoning

Planning a renovation, addition, deck, or fence? Building and zoning permits in the city go through the Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections. Applications are filed online through the city’s OneStopPGH portal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lawrenceville part of the City of Pittsburgh?

Yes. Lawrenceville is a city neighborhood, officially divided into Lower, Central, and Upper Lawrenceville, in the 15201 ZIP code.

How did Lawrenceville get its name?

Founder William B. Foster named it in 1814 for Captain James Lawrence, a naval hero of the War of 1812.

What school district serves Lawrenceville?

Pittsburgh Public Schools. Pittsburgh Arsenal PreK–5 and Arsenal 6–8 are in the neighborhood, but assigned schools depend on the exact address, so check the district’s feeder pattern.

What is the main street in Lawrenceville?

Butler Street, which runs the length of the neighborhood with restaurants, shops, and galleries.

Is Lawrenceville a historic district?

Yes. The Lawrenceville Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2019. If you plan exterior changes, ask the city about any local review requirements first.

What was the Allegheny Arsenal?

A U.S. Army supply and manufacturing post founded in 1814. It made ammunition during the Civil War. Arsenal Park and several original buildings remain today.

How long is the drive from Lawrenceville to Downtown Pittsburgh?

About 10 to 15 minutes by Penn Avenue or Butler Street through the Strip District. Traffic varies by time of day.

When is the Lawrenceville Cookie Tour?

The Joy of Cookies Cookie Tour is held during the holiday season along Butler Street. Check the Lawrenceville events calendar for this year’s dates.

Thinking About a Move to Lawrenceville?

Whether you are buying in Lawrenceville or selling a home here, we’re happy to answer questions. No pressure. Just local knowledge. Start with the current Lawrenceville listings, or reach out to our team.

Mike Pastor Group | Realty ONE Group Landmark
412-214-9494 | pittsburghhometeam.com