Overview & Orientation
Point Breeze is a mostly residential neighborhood in Pittsburgh’s East End, a few miles east of Downtown. It is home to The Frick Pittsburgh, where the Clayton mansion and its free gardens are open to the public, and it borders the northern edge of Frick Park. Its streets are largely made up of homes built in the early 20th century, after the large estates that once lined Penn Avenue were divided into smaller lots.
Where Point Breeze Is
- City and county: City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County
- ZIP code: 15208
- Neighbors: North Point Breeze (north, across Penn Avenue), Wilkinsburg (east), Regent Square (southeast), Squirrel Hill South and North (south and west), and Shadyside (northwest). See Wikipedia’s Point Breeze entry.
- Point Breeze or North Point Breeze? The city treats them as two separate neighborhoods divided by Penn Avenue, but many people use “Point Breeze” for both.
Typical Drive Times
Times are approximate and vary by where in Point Breeze you start. Traffic varies by time of day.
| Destination | About |
|---|---|
| Squirrel Hill or East Liberty | 5–10 minutes |
| Oakland | 10–15 minutes |
| Downtown Pittsburgh | 15–25 minutes |
| Monroeville | 20–25 minutes |
| Pittsburgh International Airport | 35–45 minutes |
A Brief History
Point Breeze is named for an early 19th-century hotel and tavern that once stood here. In the late 1800s, Penn Avenue became a corridor of large country estates owned by some of Pittsburgh’s leading industrialists. Clayton, home of Henry Clay Frick from 1883 to 1905, was one of them. It was built in the 1860s and remodeled in 1892 by architect Frederick J. Osterling.
Much of the area stayed undeveloped until the early 20th century. As the estates were sold off, the land was divided into smaller lots, streets were paved, and new homes were built. Most of the large mansions were eventually torn down, and Clayton is the one that survives. Some estates became parks: Mellon Park on the Shadyside border, and Westinghouse Park just north in North Point Breeze. Read a brief history of Point Breeze from The Frick.
Notable Landmarks
- The Frick Pittsburgh: Clayton, the Frick Art Museum, the Car and Carriage Museum, a greenhouse, and gardens at 7227 Reynolds Street
- Frick Park: Pittsburgh’s largest historic regional park, along the neighborhood’s southern edge
- Linden Avenue School: Built in 1903 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986
Housing & Real Estate
Housing Stock
Most homes in Point Breeze date from the early 20th century, built on lots carved from the former estates. Lot sizes and styles vary from street to street, with brick and frame houses on tree-lined streets. The eastern section, known as Park Place, borders Wilkinsburg and Regent Square. Older homes may have original features, so a careful inspection is worth the time.
Types of Homes
- Single-family homes (the majority)
- Duplexes and multi-unit homes
- Apartments and condominiums
Prices and availability change daily, so the live feed is the place to check. See current homes for sale in Point Breeze.
Schools
Public Schools
Point Breeze 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 Linden K–5, a public magnet school in the historic Linden Avenue School building, and Environmental Charter School in Park Place
- Feeder schools: Check the district’s school finder or the city’s feeder pattern boundaries for a specific address
Other Schools in the Neighborhood
- Shady Side Academy Junior School, in Park Place
Colleges & Universities
- Chatham University, in nearby Squirrel Hill North
- Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh in Oakland
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
- Penn Avenue: The neighborhood’s northern edge and a main route west toward East Liberty and Downtown
- Fifth Avenue: Runs along the western side toward Shadyside and Oakland
- Reynolds Street and South Braddock Avenue: Local routes connecting to Regent Square and Frick Park
- I-376 (Parkway East): Reached through Squirrel Hill (Exit 74) or Edgewood and Swissvale (Exit 78)
Public Transit
Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) buses run along Penn and Fifth Avenues. The Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway, with a stop at North Homewood Avenue, is just north of the neighborhood. Check the PRT trip planner for current routes and schedules.
Walkability & Bikeability
Point Breeze has sidewalks throughout and some errands can be done on foot. Biking is a strong option, with Frick Park trails and nearby bike routes. See Walk Score for Point Breeze for walking, transit, and bike ratings.
Things to Do
The Frick Pittsburgh
The Frick Pittsburgh, at 7227 Reynolds Street, covers about 10 acres of museums, lawns, and gardens. Helen Clay Frick worked to preserve the estate, and Clayton opened to the public in 1990. The site includes:
- Clayton: The restored Frick home, open for guided tours
- Frick Art Museum: Rotating and permanent art exhibitions
- Car and Carriage Museum: Opened in 1997 in an enlarged carriage house
- Gardens, greenhouse, and café: The grounds and gardens are free to visit
Museum and tour tickets are sold separately. The grounds are closed on Mondays. Check the website for current hours.
Frick Park
Frick Park covers 644 acres, from Point Breeze down to the Monongahela River. Henry Clay Frick left the first 151 acres to the city, and the park opened in 1927. It has wooded hiking and biking trails, the Blue Slide Playground, red clay tennis courts, ballfields, Pennsylvania’s only public lawn bowling green, and Clayton Hill, a birding area with more than 100 recorded species. The Frick Environmental Center is at 2005 Beechwood Boulevard.
Mellon Park and Westinghouse Park
Mellon Park, at 1047 Shady Avenue, straddles Fifth Avenue between Point Breeze and Shadyside. It has a restored walled garden, a year-round tennis bubble, a playground, a spray park, and the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts. Just north of Penn Avenue, Westinghouse Park occupies the former estate of George Westinghouse.
Shopping & Dining
Point Breeze is mostly residential, with a small number of shops and businesses. Larger shopping and dining districts are a short drive or bike ride away in Regent Square, Squirrel Hill, Shadyside, and East Liberty, including Bakery Square along Penn Avenue.
Library
Point Breeze does not have its own library branch. Nearby branches of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh include Squirrel Hill, East Liberty, and Homewood.
Local Services & Resources
City of Pittsburgh Services
As a city neighborhood, Point Breeze 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
- Neighborhood data: The Urban Redevelopment Authority’s Point Breeze profile
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 Shadyside, a short drive west
- UPMC Presbyterian and UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, 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 Point Breeze part of the City of Pittsburgh?
Yes. Point Breeze is a city neighborhood in Pittsburgh’s East End, in the 15208 ZIP code.
What is the difference between Point Breeze and North Point Breeze?
The city treats them as two neighborhoods, with Penn Avenue as the dividing line. Point Breeze is south of Penn, and North Point Breeze is north of it. Many people use “Point Breeze” for both.
How did Point Breeze get its name?
It is named for an early 19th-century hotel and tavern that once stood in the area.
What school district serves Point Breeze?
Pittsburgh Public Schools. Assigned schools depend on the exact address, so check the district’s feeder pattern before you buy.
Is The Frick Pittsburgh free to visit?
The gardens and grounds are free. Clayton tours and museum exhibitions require paid tickets. The grounds are closed on Mondays.
What parks are near Point Breeze?
Frick Park borders the neighborhood to the south. Mellon Park is on the Shadyside border, and Westinghouse Park is just north in North Point Breeze.
How long is the drive from Point Breeze to Downtown Pittsburgh?
About 15 to 25 minutes, by Penn Avenue, Fifth Avenue, or I-376. Traffic varies by time of day.
Where do I get a building permit in Point Breeze?
Through the City of Pittsburgh’s Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections, using the OneStopPGH online portal.
Thinking About a Move to Point Breeze?
Whether you are buying in Point Breeze or selling a home here, we’re happy to answer questions. No pressure. Just local knowledge. Start with the current Point Breeze listings, or reach out to our team.
Mike Pastor Group | Realty ONE Group Landmark
412-214-9494 | pittsburghhometeam.com
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Written by Mike Pastor, Team Leader, Mike Pastor Group | Realty ONE Group Landmark | PA License RS328638
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