Overview & Orientation
Regent Square is a neighborhood on the eastern edge of Pittsburgh, centered on a walkable business district along South Braddock Avenue. It is unusual because it crosses municipal lines: parts of Regent Square are in the City of Pittsburgh, and parts are in the boroughs of Edgewood, Swissvale, and Wilkinsburg. Frick Park is just a few blocks from the business district.
Where Regent Square Is
- County: Allegheny County
- Municipalities: City of Pittsburgh, Edgewood, Swissvale, and Wilkinsburg
- ZIP codes: 15218 and 15221
- Setting: A roughly rectangular plateau along Braddock Avenue between I-376 (the Parkway East) and Forbes Avenue, bounded by the steep valleys of Fern Hollow Creek to the west and Nine Mile Run to the south and east. See Wikipedia’s Regent Square entry.
Which Municipality, Which School District?
Local government and schools come from the municipality a home is in, not from the neighborhood name or mailing address.
| Municipality | School District |
|---|---|
| City of Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh Public Schools |
| Edgewood | Woodland Hills |
| Swissvale | Woodland Hills |
| Wilkinsburg | Wilkinsburg (Pre-K–6); grades 7–12 attend Pittsburgh Public Schools through a partnership |
To confirm a property’s municipality, check the deed, the tax bill, or Allegheny County’s online real estate records.
Typical Drive Times
Times are approximate and vary by where you start. Traffic varies by time of day.
| Destination | About |
|---|---|
| Squirrel Hill business district | 5–10 minutes |
| Oakland | 10–15 minutes |
| Downtown Pittsburgh | 15–25 minutes |
| Monroeville | 15–20 minutes |
| Pittsburgh International Airport | 35–45 minutes |
A Brief History
The land that became Regent Square passed through a series of local landowners, including Col. Dunning McNair in the late 18th century and Judge William Wilkins in the 19th century. In 1919, William E. Harmon of Harmon Realty bought most of what is now the neighborhood, then known as the Devon Plan. He first called it Regent Place and later renamed it Regent Square.
The original “square” was the grid of streets between Braddock Avenue and Frick Park. The name has since come to cover a wider area, including nearby streets in Edgewood, Swissvale, and Wilkinsburg. The Regent Square Theater on Braddock Avenue was a neighborhood landmark from 1936 until it closed in 2019.
Notable Landmarks
- South Braddock Avenue business district: The neighborhood’s commercial center
- Frick Park: 644 acres of trails and woods, a few blocks west of the business district
- Nine Mile Run: A restored stream valley that runs along the neighborhood’s southern edge
Housing & Real Estate
Housing Stock
Much of Regent Square was built in the decades after Harmon’s 1919 purchase, on a compact street grid close to Braddock Avenue. Homes are mostly brick and frame houses from the first half of the 20th century, with sidewalks and street trees throughout. Lot sizes and styles vary across the four municipalities. 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, including units above storefronts on Braddock Avenue
Prices and availability change daily, so the live feed is the place to check. See current homes for sale in Regent Square. You can also browse Edgewood and Swissvale.
Schools
Because Regent Square spans four municipalities, the school district depends on the exact address.
- City of Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh Public Schools. Assignment follows the district’s feeder pattern; check the city’s feeder pattern boundaries for a specific address. The district also runs citywide magnet programs.
- Edgewood and Swissvale: Woodland Hills School District, which serves 12 municipalities. Woodland Hills High School is in Churchill.
- Wilkinsburg: Wilkinsburg School District runs Kelly Primary (Pre-K–2) and Turner Intermediate (3–6). Since 2016, grades 7–12 have been served at Pittsburgh Westinghouse Academy through a partnership with Pittsburgh Public Schools.
Colleges & Universities
- Chatham University (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
- South Braddock Avenue: The neighborhood’s main street and business district
- I-376 (Parkway East): Runs along the southern edge. Exit 78 serves Edgewood and Swissvale, and Exit 74 serves Squirrel Hill.
- Forbes Avenue: Runs west across Fern Hollow toward Squirrel Hill and Oakland
Public Transit
Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) buses serve Braddock and Forbes Avenues, and the Martin Luther King Jr. East Busway has stations in nearby Wilkinsburg. Check the PRT trip planner for current routes and schedules.
Walkability & Bikeability
Regent Square is one of the more walkable parts of the East End, and most errands can be done on foot. See Walk Score for Regent Square for walking, transit, and bike ratings.
Things to Do
Frick Park and Nine Mile Run
Frick Park covers 644 acres, from Point Breeze down to the Monongahela River. It has wooded hiking and biking trails, red clay tennis courts, ballfields, the Blue Slide Playground, and Pennsylvania’s only public lawn bowling green. Nine Mile Run, once a heavily polluted stream, was restored between 2003 and 2006, extending the park’s trail network almost to the river.
Shopping & Dining
The South Braddock Avenue business district has independent shops, restaurants, coffee shops, a bookstore, art galleries, antique shops, an outdoor gear shop, banks, and medical offices. Read VisitPittsburgh’s Regent Square guide for more. Edgewood Towne Centre, on the site of the former Union Switch & Signal plant, is a short drive east.
Annual Events
The Regent Square Yard Sale, organized by the Regent Square Civic Association, is held on a Saturday in May. More than 100 households and businesses usually take part.
Libraries
The C.C. Mellor Memorial Library in Edgewood, open since 1918, is at 1 Pennwood Avenue, (412) 731-0909. City residents can also use the Squirrel Hill branch of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.
Local Services & Resources
Services such as trash collection, permits, police, and fire depend on which municipality a home is in.
City of Pittsburgh
City residents get services from the City of Pittsburgh. For non-emergency requests, such as trash pickup, potholes, or streetlights, contact Pittsburgh 311. Building and zoning permits go through the city’s OneStopPGH portal.
Edgewood, Swissvale, and Wilkinsburg
- Edgewood Borough: 2 Race Street, Edgewood, PA 15218. Office hours Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. See Edgewood’s history.
- Swissvale Borough: 7560 Roslyn Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15218, (412) 351-3342. See the county municipal profile.
- Wilkinsburg Borough: 605 Ross Avenue, Wilkinsburg, PA 15221, (412) 244-2900, wilkinsburgpa.gov
Each borough handles its own trash collection, permits, and zoning. Call the borough office for schedules and requirements.
Emergency Services
- Emergencies: Call 911
- Police and fire: Provided by the municipality a home is in. City residents can start with 311 for non-emergency questions.
Hospitals
- UPMC Shadyside and UPMC Presbyterian, a short drive west
- AHN Forbes Hospital and UPMC East (Monroeville), to the east
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Regent Square in the City of Pittsburgh?
Partly. Regent Square includes parts of the City of Pittsburgh and the boroughs of Edgewood, Swissvale, and Wilkinsburg.
What ZIP codes cover Regent Square?
Regent Square is covered by the 15218 and 15221 ZIP codes.
What school district serves Regent Square?
It depends on the municipality. The Pittsburgh part is in Pittsburgh Public Schools. Edgewood and Swissvale are in Woodland Hills. Wilkinsburg runs its own schools through grade 6, and grades 7–12 are served at Pittsburgh Westinghouse Academy through a partnership with Pittsburgh Public Schools.
How did Regent Square get its name?
Developer William E. Harmon bought most of the area in 1919. He first called it Regent Place and later renamed it Regent Square.
How close is Regent Square to Frick Park?
Very close. Frick Park is a few blocks west of the South Braddock Avenue business district, and Nine Mile Run runs along the neighborhood’s southern edge.
When is the Regent Square Yard Sale?
It is held on a Saturday in May and organized by the Regent Square Civic Association.
How long is the drive from Regent Square to Downtown Pittsburgh?
About 15 to 25 minutes, usually by I-376. Traffic varies by time of day, and the Squirrel Hill Tunnel can back up at rush hour.
Who handles building permits in Regent Square?
The municipality the home is in. City homes use the OneStopPGH portal. Homes in Edgewood, Swissvale, or Wilkinsburg go through that borough’s office.
Thinking About a Move to Regent Square?
Whether you are buying in Regent Square or selling a home here, we’re happy to answer questions, including which municipality and school district a specific home is in. No pressure. Just local knowledge. Start with the current Regent Square 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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