Urban-living wellness requires a balance of being close enough to the action yet at a distance that ensures a peaceful and comfortable home retreat. I developed this project based on that principal. But once the panoramic views, awesome architecture, plentiful parking, and upcoming, potentially award-winning courtyard with fountain, pergola, grill stations, and veg-with-the-landscape seating were added to the equation, I couldn’t resist living here as well.
Being both a resident and the developer adds a little pressure to the job by requiring me to deal with the build-out and move-in requirements expected of a new residents. So far I’m not wearing tar and feathers and hope to keep my record and residence intact.
Each condo community generates its own personality. Angels Arms residents could be characterized by their creativity, appreciation for art and architecture, distinctive style, bold attitude, and a love of urban pleasure conveniently located within a walk from the doorstep. At this point in time, Angels Arms is the closest address I can get to heaven.
Buying my first home at Angel’s Arms has been an amazing experience. When I decided to move back to Pittsburgh after living in Washington DC for thirteen years, I began by looking at condo buildings online, and when I saw Angel’s Arms, I was instantly intrigued. Even just looking at the website, I knew Angel’s Arms offered me a wonderful opportunity to own something unique and that I could truly make my own. Even so, I had some doubts that as a first-time home buyer I could take on the task of finishing the interior of the condo. However, Tom Tripoli at Angel’s Arms made the process both understandable and manageable. He was flexible in working with me since I was doing the selections long-distance, and we were able to do much of it over email and the internet! He provided guidance and support through the process. Although I knew it was difficult to visualize how the condo would look when it was finished, the final transformation was still astounding and far exceeded my expectations. It was truly my dream home!
The icing on the cake has been becoming part of the Angel’s Arms community. Everyone that I’ve met here has been incredibly friendly and welcoming and all share something in common – an interest in expressing themselves as individuals and living in one of the most unique places in Pittsburgh!
I have lived at Angel’s Arms for approximately 4 years and have found the unique environment it provides is unrivaled. Each unit and its occupant(s) are as distinctive as the building and are a showcase for what constitutes Pittsburgh in the 21st century.
Living at Angel’s Arms has advantages above and beyond residing anywhere else. I have the ability to safely walk to some of the best restaurants, bars and entertainment the city of Pittsburgh has to offer. Even on Sundays, within a couple minutes walk, I can be reading the paper at my favorite coffee shop. Or, if I wish, I can drink my coffee from the deck, while having a perfect view of the city of Pittsburgh.
All the while, I can return to a quiet environment in a quaint safe neighborhood nestled in the heart of the South Side Slopes. This was very important to me, considering that I grew up in the country and did not want subjected to constant traffic and noise. On multiple occasions, I have even watched deer graze behind Pius Street from the rooftop of our building. I cannot imagine another place with as many perks as Angel’s Arms. It has been a pleasure to live here.”
Like most people who grew up in Pittsburgh, I was always aware of St. Michael’s, over there up on the hill, but I had never visited it. I was taken to the site by a real estate agent who wanted to show me something interesting; she didn’t really think that I would be attracted to it. For me, the building was love at first sight, both the finished units in the rectory (which I saw first) and the unfinished space in the main church. I did not intend to buy property in Pittsburgh that day, but the site changed my mind. It was simply exciting to be in that space and to think about the possibilities. I had also always wanted to build my own house, but life hadn’t presented that opportunity… until Angel’s Arms, which is as close to building a home from scratch as I think I want to come now!
I knew exactly which unit I wanted and was fortunate to get it. The architect recommended by Tom was simply wonderful. He made the “problems” of the space into opportunities. He brought many creative ideas to the design of the space, made a wonderful suggestion for expanding the amount of useable space in the unit, and was extremely responsive to my questions and concerns.
The features of a ceremonial space like a church are meant to inspire awe. Those same features still inspire admiration when they are integrated into living spaces, but it is not a simple process. As my space started to take shape, there were many decisions to be made: how many elements of the original site to keep (and how to preserve those elements), how to select new materials to complement what was being saved, the style of new features, and so on. The process was a very exciting one, made more difficult by my need to work at a distance, but Tom and the design consultants he recommended were able to help me overcome that obstacle. Tom was always there to make sure that decisions were sensible and cost effective, and he also made many creative contributions to the project. Above all, I am grateful for the extreme care that the workers, painters, and crafts people exercised in the creation and restoration of my unit
I don’t think I could have articulated my “vision” for the space the first day I saw it, but I must have had one. The opportunity to realize that vision on the (almost) blank canvas of my Angel’s Arms unit was a wonderful experience. I look forward to living in the unit in a few years and to experiencing the community that has been created there.
