Franklin West News
Franklin West's Smart, Spacious, New Apartments Ready to Rent!
We are absolutely thrilled to be announcing our newest apartments -- 219 Carron Street -- in the heart of Pittsburgh's East End!
A chic, contemporary exterior welcomes twelve one-bedroom and loft-style apartments, which are ready to say "Welcome home!" to new residents. That's right, this stunning building in Shadyside is ready for immediate occupancy!
Each unit is unique, and each stars some of the best features you can find in Shadyside. Hickory hardwood floors and stainless steel appliances gleam in the midday sun that shines through floor-to-ceiling windows. Spacious layouts, walk-in closets, balconies, and high ceilings ensure that this urban dwelling is anything but small.
Located near University of Pittsburgh Medical Center area hospitals, and only a few blocks from Shadyside's popular retail shops and restaurants, these residencies are at the center of Pittsburgh's very best. Convenient access and quick, walkable routes to such top-rated locales are an urban-lovers' dream. But the tree-lined streets and sidewalks of this historic area lend a cozy, suburban feel to the otherwise effervescent neighborhood.
No matter where you turn, there is something to see or do in Shadyside, and we always want to reflect this personality and love for life in our apartments. This newest building is certainly no exception. Bike storage, garage parking, and washers and dryer in each unit are just a few ways we work to benefit our residents' active lifestyles.
For more information, please visit our website here or call our Shadyside website at 412-661-1151 for current apartment availability and rental rates.
Franklin West Dedicated to Preserving History -- Named Finalist in Family Business Awards
In 2015, Franklin West was recognized for its 50+ years of service and commitment to the Pittsburgh region.
The Pittsburgh Business Times launched the Family Business Awards to celebrate highly regarded and well respected multigenerational family businesses in the region. To qualify, these top companies must have had at least two generations of family members working at the company.
In its review of Franklin West, Inc., the Business Times recognized Franklin West's sustained efforts to revitalize long-neglected structures in the eastern end of Shadyside while improving the area's economy. "When Frank West bought his first apartment building, at 513 Shady Ave.,," the Times reflected, "in 1965, many parts of Shadyside were decaying, and there wasn't much appreciation for preservation." The review also recognized Frank West as a founding member of the East End-East Liberty Historical Society. The Times noted, "Over the years, the West family's commitment to preservation has never wavered."
The Times also commended Franklin West's commitment to its residents and employees, many of whom have lived with, or worked for, the company for years.
As a Finalist in the Family Business Awards, Franklin West, Inc. is honored to be in the company of such esteemed family-owned companies as award winners Apple Castle (founded 1861), Colussy Chevrolet (1918), Turner Dairy Farms (1930), and Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, Inc. (1957).
Statue Honoring Frank West (1932-2005) Dedicated
Related Files: "The Walk" Dedicated March 13,2011 at 521 Shady Avenue Honoring Frank West
PRESS RELEASE: Franklin West Launches 12 New Shadyside Loft Apartments – 100% Rented
More than twenty years of planning came to an end September 1 when Franklin West, Inc. moved tenants into its newest apartment community, a 12-unit loft-style apartment building located at 521 Shady Ave. All of the 12 apartments are already rented.
This three-story elevator building has four one-bedroom apartments on each floor, with monthly rents ranging from $1250 to $1350, plus utilities (electric, water/sewer). The apartments range from 615 sq. ft. to 743 sq. ft. in size. All of the apartments have large light-filled rooms, high ceilings, ceiling fans, bamboo floors, and kitchen with silver-finish appliances (refrigerator, range, dishwasher and built-in microwave). Each apartment in the building has a full size washer and dryer and high-efficiency central heat and air conditioning systems. The building also has three interior garage parking spaces and nine exterior parking spaces. The architect was Perfido, Weiskopf, Wagstaff & Goettel. The contractor was RDC Construction, Inc.
The story of 521 Shady begins in the early 1960s, when Frank West (1932 – 2005) purchased two dilapidated circa-1870 Second Empire homes located at 513 and 517 Shady Avenue and remodeled them into luxurious multi-family residential apartments. These first two apartment buildings marked the beginning of a 40-plus-year career wherein, by the time of his death in 2005, he had renovated or built nearly 65 such buildings in Shadyside (400 apartments), as well as built nearly 600 others in Oakmont, Gibsonia and Butler. Franklin West, Inc. is now managed by his daughter, Caroline West, and her husband, Antonio Castracani.
Frank West’s last creation, 521 Shady, now stands next to his first two, 513 Shady and 517 Shady; a fitting testament to his career and commitment to the neighborhood. Although the building was ready for occupancy September 1, Caroline West plans to include other elements in the near future that will mark it as a signature “Franklin West” property. Specifcally, a memorial to Frank West, which will be sculpted by his cousin, Jim West. Jim West recently completed the statue “Point of View,” depicting the meeting of a George Washington and Guyasuta, on Mt. Washington.
Located on the quiet residential streets of Shadyside’s East End, Franklin West’s apartments are only minutes from downtown Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University. Moreover, they are just a few blocks from the sections of Walnut Street and S. Highland known for their shops and restaurants. Please call or email Franklin West, Inc. if you would like more information about 521 Shady Avenue or other Franklin West properties.
Book On Sale Now: Franklin West Buildings Grace New History Book
Two Franklin West buildings -- 272-274 Shady and Highland Towers -- are featured in a history book recently released by the East End-East Liberty Historical Society.
Part of the Arcadia Publishing local neighborhood series, "Pittsburgh’s East Liberty Valley," brings the reader from early pioneer days, including the era of the Shadyside Iron Furnace, to the late 19th Century Industrial Revolution. The promoters and inventors of iron and steel, oil, manufacturing, air brakes, aluminum production, and others -- such as Carnegie, Frick, Armstrong, Mellon, Heinz, Scaife, Westinghouse, McCune, Lockhart, Phipps, and Hunt -- all lived in East Liberty.
Retailing for $20.00, the book is available for purchase at the Franklin West office (272 Shady Avenue, Pgh., PA 15206; 412-661-1151; rentals@franklinwest.com) and through the East End-East Liberty Historical Society (5907 Penn Avenue, Ste. 305, Pgh., PA 15206; 412-661-9660; pbrecht@eastlibertychamber.org). It can also be purchased at any book store that carries the Arcadia "Images of America" series, including Borders Books.
Related Files: Book Cover
Welcome
Welcome to the new Franklin West website!
PRESS RELEASE: Multifamily Industry Leader Franklin West Announces Website Redesign
Pittsburgh, PA (April 12, 2007) – The area’s premier family-owned and operated apartment management company, Franklin West, Inc. (http://www.franklinwest.com), announces the launch of its newly-redesigned website.
The freshly redesigned website is designed to bring those interested in renting an apartment in the major Western Pennsylvania markets of Pittsburgh, Oakmont, Butler and Gibsonia a wealth of information through a single online point of access. The user-friendly, brightly colored website provides rich and relevant content, including photographs, floor plans, and rental and utility information for nearly 1,000 unique, individual apartments and townhouses … from stately Victorian-era and Historic Landmark restorations to top-of-the-line new construction.
Long considered an innovator in real estate development, Franklin West’s primary reason for redesigning its already comprehensive website was to provide even more efficient service to those looking for an apartment…whether the prospective resident currently lives in the local neighborhood, Nevada or Nepal. “For many people, it is simply impossible to travel to Pittsburgh for three-plus days simply to look for an apartment before they start their new job, graduate program or medical residency,” says Caroline West, daughter of company founder, Franklin West (1932-2005). With a long-established reputation for providing superior apartment living and excellent customer service, this enhanced website was the logical next step.
Interactive website features on www.franklinwest.com include a complete and searchable database of all Franklin West, Inc. rental properties. Paying homage to the rich architectural and historical tradition in Shadyside’s East End, website viewers will be able to learn about the history of particular buildings, such as the internationally-acclaimed Highland Towers, a 1913 art deco building that is registered on the National Register of Historic Landmarks. Further, prospective residents will be able to contact Franklin West directly about specific apartments, while current residents will be able to email maintenance or other requests. The “news” section offers up-to-date leasing notices, as well as other information that may be of interest to current and prospective residents, such as the date of the annual Franklin West-sponsored tenant party.
The new website was designed by Rob Carney (rc@robcarney.com ) and includes the photography of local artist Richard Morgan (www.richardmorganphotographer.com).
The new enhancements to www.franklinwest.com reflect Franklin West’s continued commitment to finding better ways to serve current residents, prospective residents and the greater Pittsburgh community. With carefully designed and attentively maintained residences in Pittsburgh, Butler, Oakmont and Gibsonia, Franklin West continues to set
the standard by which others are measured.
"Obituary: Franklin West, Jr./Restored Victorian homes in East End" (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Mar. 9, 2005)
Related Files: Read about Franklin West (1932-2005): Obituary
"West Went the East End" (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Oct. 31, 2004)
Related Files: Read about Franklin West: West Went the East End