Squirrel Hill Neighborhood Report

Squirrel Hill Murray Ave Grill

History of Squirrel Hill

Although Squirrel Hill is split into Squirrel Hill North and Squirrel Hill South, it’s typically referred to as a single neighborhood. As a single entity, Squirrel Hill accounts for a significant chunk of eastern Pittsburgh, covering nearly four square miles. 

When combined into one, Squirrel Hill is bordered by Shadyside to the north; Point Breeze, Regent Square, and Swisshelm Park to the east; Glen Hazel to the south; and Hazelwood, Greenfield, and Oakland to the west. 

Squirrel Hill’s roots go back even before the founding of the United States, with the first recorded house built in 1760. After its completion, a sprinkling of houses popped up in the region. 

To this day, the remains of many of the neighborhood’s original founders can be found at Turner Cemetery, along the southern end of Beechwood Blvd. 

Although industry originally focused heavily on its border with the Monongahela River in the south, it eventually retreated inwards, especially after the first electric trolley was installed in 1893. This allowed for more homes en route to the factories. 

Today Squirrel Hill is known for its diverse population, global cuisine, many walkable places of worship, prestigious universities, and the Squirrel Hill Tunnel. 

Investment Projections

Squirrel Hill is a well established neighborhood that has benefited from steady appreciation. In the last ten years, average home values have grown 67%, from $185,000 average sales price in 2009 vs. $309,000 in 2019.

Squirrel Hill is a well established neighborhood that has benefited from steady appreciation. In the last ten years, average home values have grown 67%, from $185,000 average sales price in 2009 vs. $309,000 in 2019.

Consistent with national inventory trends, Squirrel Hill has seen a lower number of homes for sale based on many homeowners choosing to remain in their homes for longer periods of time, as well as faster turnover of available homes with increased bu…

Consistent with national inventory trends, Squirrel Hill has seen a lower number of homes for sale based on many homeowners choosing to remain in their homes for longer periods of time, as well as faster turnover of available homes with increased buyer demand. This trend favors sellers, and in 2019 homes sold at a quick average of only 39 days on the market.

Emergency Resources

Pittsburgh Fire Bureau Station 18
5858 Northumberland St, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
412-255-2863

Pittsburgh Police Department Zone 4 Station
5858 Northumberland St, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
412-422-6520

Hospitals 

UPMC Shadyside
Address: 5230 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15232
Phone: 412-623-2121

UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital
Address: 300 Halket St, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Phone: 412-641-1000

Doctor Offices

The Children’s Institute
1405 Shady Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217

UPMC Children’s Community Pediatrics
5608 Wilkins Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
412-422-3590

Chestnut Hills Dental
5889 Forbes Ave #305, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
412-521-4300

Squirrel Hill Family Practice - UPMC
6301 Forbes Ave #300, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
412-421-2060

Carnegie Pediatrics
6315 Forbes Ave #L118, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
412-421-1345

AHN Squirrel Hill
5889 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
412-618-3010

Top Squirrel Hill Restaurants

Everyday Noodles

Address: 5875 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217A
Phone: 412-421-6668
Rating: 4.7
Description: Everyday Noodles combines dinner and a show in a unique way: All noodles are handmade in the kitchen behind a glass wall facing the restaurant. 

Turkish Kebab House 

Address: 5819 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Phone: 412-212-7982
Rating: 4.6
Description: Turkish Kebab House features a wide menu of authentic Turkish meals, drinks, and appetizers.

Pamela’s Diner

Address: 1711 Murray Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Phone: 412-422-9457
Rating: 4.6
Description: A Pittsburgh classic, you can never go wrong with Pamela’s enormous crispy-edged pancakes—or with anything else on the menu! 

Waffallonia

Address: 1709 Murray Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Phone: 412-521-4902
Rating: 4.6
Description: From breakfast to dessert, Waffallonia aims to offer sweet waffles and milkshakes to satisfy every craving.

Taiwanese Bistro Cafe 33

Address: 1711 Shady Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Phone: 412-421-2717
Rating: 4.5
Description: Though tucked away in an unassuming building on Shady Avenue, Cafe 33 makes up for appearances with an extensive selection of Taiwanese culture, all of it bursting with flavor.

Nu: A Modern Jewish Bistro

Address: 1711 Murray Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Phone: 412-422-0220
Rating: 4.5
Description: Squirrel Hill has a major Jewish population, and Nu celebrates that. A single fee gets you into the hybrid Jewish restaurant, where you order an entree and Nu takes it from there.

T-Swirl Crepe

Address: 1714 Murray Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Phone: 412-586-7663
Rating: 4.5
Description: This Japanese restaurant specializes in making delicious, Instagram-worthy crepes. 

Uncle Sam’s Submarines

Address: 5808 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Phone: 412-521-7827
Rating: 4.4
Description: Uncle Sam’s has been making award-winning subs all over Pittsburgh for decades.

Top Squirrel Hill Shopping Locations

Squirrel Hill lacks a mall or major shopping center. Instead, the neighborhood features robust shopping options along: 

Murray Avenue

  • 1700 block

  • 1800 block

  • 1900 block

  • 2000 block

  • 2100 block

  • 2200 block

Once you’re on Murray Avenue, you’ll find unique shops like:

Forbes Avenue

  • 5800 block

Up on Forbes Avenue, you’ll find shops like:

Annual Squirrel Hill Events

For an updated list of events taking place in Squirrel Hill, visit Uncover Squirrel Hill.

Mother’s Day Wine Walk

Date: Every year in May
Location: Squirrel HIll’s Business District
About the event: This self-paced wine tasting through the business district is a great way to spend a special day with Mom. 

Vintage Grand Prix

Date: Every year in July
Location: Schenley Park
About the event: This two-week event is a major celebration of cars and racing that ends in the country’s largest vintage car race through Schenley Park.

Squirrel Hill Night Market

Date: Multiple times in the year—check with the Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition. 
Location: Forbes Avenue and Murray Avenue
About the event: Squirrel Hill Night Market is a free, outdoor street festival featuring more than 100 tents brimming with food, art, music, and entertainment. 

Fall Beer Walk

Date: Every year in October
Location: Squirrel Hill Business District
About the event: Take a leisurely self-guided beer tour of the business district while enjoying the best local beers Pittsburgh has to offer. 

Upstreet Halloween

Date: Every year at the end of October
Location: Squirrel Hill Business District
About the Event: Upstreet Halloween is a fun, safe trick-or-treat event for children. 

Holiday Wine Walk 

Date: Every year in December
Location: Squirrel Hill Business District
About the event: Bundle up and start your holiday shopping as you zig zag your way through Squirrel Hill’s business district, all while enjoying wine and special treats. 

Neighborhood Parks

Schenley Park

Address: (Schenley Park Cafe and Visitor Center) 101 Panther Hollow Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 
Easiest Access: From Murray Avenue, travel west on Forbes Avenue to Schenley Drive. 
Park Features:

Frick Park

Address: (Frick Environmental Center) 2005 Beechwood Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Easiest Access: Travel east on Forbes Avenue until you reach Beechwood Boulevard, then travel south on Beechwood Boulevard until you reach the park. 

Park Features:

Davis Playground

Address: 5700 Hobart St, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Easiest Access: Follow Murray Avenue to Hobart Street, then travel west to the park. 
Park Features:

  • Tennis Court

  • Basketball Courts

  • Floor Hockey Rink

  • Squash Area

  • Playground

Wightman Park

Address: 5612 Solway St, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Easiest Access: Follow Wilkins Avenue to Wightman Street, then travel south to the park. 
Park Features: While the park is under construction for much of 2019, it will eventually feature:

  • A playground

  • A half-court basketball court

  • A baseball diamond 

  • A walking path

Neighborhood Gyms

Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh
5738 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
412-521-8010

Hydration Health & Fitness
1408 South Negley Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
412-877-0452

Wiegand Gymnasium
5032 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
412-268-2107

I am Yoga - Pittsburgh
1701 Murray Ave, 2nd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
iamyogapgh@gmail.com

Schoolhouse Yoga 
2215 Murray Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
412-401-4444

Schools and Universities in Squirrel Hill

Universities

Carnegie Mellon University
Address: 5000 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
About: Well-known for its technology programs, CMU is also popular for the Arts, Business, Humanities, and the Sciences.

Chatham University
Address: 1 Woodland Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15232
About: Once an all-girls school, Chatham is now a co-ed university that boasts numerous highly-renowned programs. 

Schools

Minadeo Elementary School (Pre K-5)
Address: 6502 Lilac St, Pittsburgh, PA 15217

Colfax School (K-8)
Address: 2332 Beechwood Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217

Allderdice High School
Address: 2409 Shady Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217

Central Catholic High School
Address: 4720 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Access to Highways and Other Major Roadways

376

You can access 376 West and 376 East by traveling south on Murray Avenue.

Forbes Avenue

Located in central Squirrel Hill, Forbes Avenue runs east and west, connecting the neighborhood with Point Breeze and Oakland.

Squirrel Hill-Based Contractors

Here’s a list of contractors based inside Squirrel Hill:

Plumber

Barak Plumbing
5819 Forward Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
412-357-6364

Raecon Plumbing
5741 Pocusset St, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
412-421-0773

Studio One Kitchen & Bath Specialists
5666 Northumberland St, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
412-422-8200

General Contracting

Hometown Builders & Remodeling
5462 Beacon St, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
412-422-7579

Pittsburgh Decks & More
5042 Pocusset St, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
412-567-4052

Innovative Construction Spec
5741 Pocusset St, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
412-421-7663

Nadoff Construction
5828 Hobart St, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
412-521-0708

American Custom Contractors
5741 Pocusset St, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
412-421-7663

Landscaping

McNulty Landscaping
1046 Murray Hill Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
412-377-5876

Michael A Stern Landscape Design
1337 Shady Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
412-441-3434

Einstein Vikings Landscape Designer Co
5818 Forbes Ave #35, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
844-724-4661

Allegheny Fence Construction Co Inc. 
1900 Murray Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
412-422-8788

Steel City Garage Doors
2004 Murray Ave #1, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
412-453-6022

Electricians

Mendelson Electric LLC
2409 Beechwood Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
412-521-7652

Lorand Electric Inc.
5652 Melvin St, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
412-521-6869

Kelly Electric
724-858-0394

Flooring

Flooring & Wood Floor Refinishing
5542 Pocusset St, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
412-294-9925

Perfect Flooring Pittsburgh
5709 Forward Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15217
412-421-2680