Welcome to this week’s edition of The Pittsburgh Pulse — Pittsburgh first, real estate second.

We’ve officially hit that time of year when Friday plans start revolving around one thing: fish fries.

Church halls. Fire stations. VFWs. Lines out the door before 5 p.m.

It’s a small thing on the surface — but traditions like this are part of what makes certain neighborhoods feel alive. And when neighborhoods feel alive, people want to live in them..

• What’s happening: Lent started this week, which means Friday fish fries are officially on. Traditionally, Catholics abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent (the 40 days before Easter), and in Pittsburgh — with its deep Catholic + Eastern European roots — that turned into a full-blown neighborhood ritual.

• What you’ll actually experience: Church basements packed by 5:30. Folding tables. Volunteers in aprons moving with military precision. A line that starts outside but moves faster than you think. And someone you haven’t seen in 12 years saying, “Didn’t you go to Central?”

• This isn’t just dinner — it’s fundraiser season. For many parishes, fire halls, and VFWs, fish fry season is one of the biggest annual revenue drivers. The money keeps youth programs running, funds building repairs, and supports local outreach. You’re not just buying cod. You’re paying for new roof shingles and CYO uniforms.

• What sells out first: It’s usually not the fish. It’s the pierogies. Or the haluski. Or the homemade desserts made by someone’s babcia. If you care about sides, go early.

• Timing matters more than quality.
– 4:00–4:45 → Smooth, almost pleasant.
– 5:00–6:30 → Peak chaos.
– After 7:00 → You’re gambling with availability.
If you hate lines, don’t test your luck at 5:45.

• Cash is still king. Yes, even in 2026. Some have upgraded to Square readers. Many haven’t. Bring small bills. The ATM inside the social hall will have a line longer than the fish line.

• Dine-in vs takeout is a personality test.
– Dine-in = community, noise, someone’s uncle telling Steelers stories.
– Takeout = efficiency, peace, eating on your couch.
Choose based on your tolerance for folding chairs.

• Suburbs quietly dominate. The South Hills and North Hills parishes go hard. Competitive menus. Multiple fish options. Some even offer shrimp or baked cod alternatives. Don’t assume the city wins on quality.

• Memorable Pittsburgh truth: Fish fry season isn’t about religion as much as it’s about ritual. It’s the one time of year where the whole city agrees to stand in a church basement for fried food — and nobody complains.

• What to do / what to avoid:
✔ Go early if you want the full menu.
✔ Ask a local which one they swear by.
✔ Bring cash.
✘ Don’t show up at 6 expecting zero wait.
✘ Don’t skip the dessert table.

This is one of those “only in Pittsburgh” things. If you’re new here, this is how you learn the city. If you’ve been here forever, you already have your spot — and you’re not telling anyone.

Church halls. Fire stations. VFWs. Corner taverns.

Some are legendary.
Some are hidden.
Some are 7 minutes from your house — and you don’t even know it.

So instead of sending you a long list, we built something better: a fully clickable 2026 Fish Fry Map so you can plan Friday like a pro.

👉 Explore the 2026 Interactive Fish Fry Map

Allegheny County is rolling out a $4 million Main Streets program aimed at upgrading neighborhood business districts — think façade improvements, better public spaces, and small-scale commercial support.

Translation: this isn’t abstract “economic development.” It’s the strip you actually walk. If your local corridor has been hanging on by a thread — this is the kind of funding that can mean new lighting, cleaned-up storefronts, and maybe one less “For Lease” sign.

Sidney Crosby sat out an Olympic game with a lower-body injury, and the city immediately went into collective stress mode. Add that to the Penguins’ inconsistent season and ongoing officiating complaints, and sports talk radio is doing cardio right now.

Whether you follow international hockey or not, this is Pittsburgh identity stuff. When Sid limps, the city notices.

The long-planned $31 million Arts Landing project in the Cultural District continues inching toward reality — a 4-acre civic space tied to downtown revitalization and the 2026 NFL Draft runway.

It’s not flashy yet. But this is the kind of infrastructure that determines whether downtown feels like a pass-through or a place you linger. The next two years will tell us which direction we’re heading.

Rates are sitting at 6.05%, but they’ve been flirting with the high-5% range. 467 new listings hit in the last 7 days. 389 sellers cut their price. 402 homes went contingent.

Here’s what that actually tells us:

• Rates are stable — and buyers are watching closely.
The moment we see a consistent “5-point-something,” activity tends to jump. Even psychological shifts matter.

• Inventory is building ahead of spring.
Nearly 500 new listings in a week is movement. Sellers are preparing. The season is loading.

• Price cuts are cleaning the board.
389 reductions vs 14 increases tells you sellers who aimed high are recalibrating fast. The market is disciplining pricing.

• Homes are still going under contract — steadily.
402 contingent isn’t slow. It’s selective. Good homes at the right number are moving.

After enough years in this business, you start to feel the rhythm.

This doesn’t feel flat.
It feels coiled.

Rates hovering near the 5s tend to wake buyers up. If that happens consistently, this spring could move faster than people expect.

Not frenzy. Not 2021.
But busier than last year? Very possible.

Do you want to be early — or part of the rush?

If activity ramps when rates dip, early sellers benefit from less competition. Waiting could mean more eyeballs — but also more listings to compete against.

Are you ready before everyone else is?

If rates dip and buyers surge, leverage shrinks quickly.
Right now you have options and negotiating room. That window doesn’t stay open forever.

If I had to sum up the market vibe right now:

It’s not loud.
It’s warming up.

🍽️ The Tavern at Hyeholde Is Now Open (Moon Twp)
Hyeholde just launched a more relaxed tavern concept with a lower price point than the main dining room. Why you should care: It’s a new “impress out-of-towners without committing to a 3-hour tasting menu” option.

🏗️ 40 New Condos Planned in the Strip District
The historic Bittner Building is slated for a residential conversion, adding nearly 40 units. Why you should care: More rooftops = more retail, more foot traffic… and more pressure on parking in an already packed neighborhood.

🛒 A Full-Service Grocery Could Return to the Strip
A new mixed-use proposal includes a long-awaited grocery store for the neighborhood. Why you should care: Walkable groceries dramatically boost convenience — and long-term property value — in high-density areas.

🏘️ New Affordable Housing Breaking Ground in the Hill District
Cliffside Overlook is moving forward with new community-rooted housing. Why you should care: Stabilized housing often fuels small business growth and strengthens long-term neighborhood momentum.

📋 Pittsburgh Updates Paid Sick Days Rules (Effective 2026)
The city approved changes that increase accrual rates and caps. Why you should care: Business owners may need policy updates — and employees gain expanded time-off protections.

What it is: A family-friendly ice show at PPG Paints Arena featuring Mickey, Moana, Simba and more on an adventure through beloved Disney worlds.
Why it’s worth it: Magical entertainment for both kids and adults — a nostalgic, high-energy way to kick off the weekend.
Useful tip: Arrive 30 minutes early to allow time for parking and arena security lines.

What it is: Pittsburgh’s Winter Beerfest at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, featuring hundreds of craft beers, food vendors, and live entertainment.
Why it’s worth it: A lively social event perfect for groups — discover new local and national brews in one spot.
Useful tip: Purchase tickets in advance and consider using a rideshare to avoid downtown parking hassles.

What it is: A fun, high-energy charity run and party benefiting neurofibromatosis research.
Why it’s worth it: It’s quirky, community-driven, and for a great cause — equal parts fun and meaningful.
Useful tip: Dress in layers for the weather and arrive early to check in and avoid long lines.

Whoever designed this house knew exactly what the hell they were doing.

This isn’t a “nice yard.”
It’s a full-blown resort backdrop overlooking St. Clair Country Club.

Saltwater pool. Tiered stone patio. Professional landscaping. Westerly sunset exposure. And uninterrupted golf course views that feel like they stretch forever.

Yes — that view is real.
Yes — those are fireworks seats on the Fourth of July.

There are only a handful of homes in Pittsburgh positioned like this.

This is one of them.

And then you see the architecture.

Low-slung, Frank Lloyd Wright–inspired contemporary lines. Over an acre in Upper St. Clair. Set back. Private. Intentional.

This isn’t a copy-paste subdivision build.
It’s design with confidence.

Inside, it gets even better.

A dramatic copper fireplace anchors the main living space. Massive windows pull the outside in. The layout flows effortlessly for entertaining — not chopped up, not awkward, not wasted.

Downstairs? A 47x27 game room with wet bar and home theater.
Upstairs? A primary suite with its own gas fireplace and serious closet space.

It’s over 5,000 square feet — but it doesn’t feel oversized. It feels curated.

Now here’s where you pause:

It’s listed at $1.7M.

For the acreage.
For the architectural pedigree.
For the setting alone.

Homes like this don’t trade often — and when they do, it’s usually quiet.

If you appreciate architecture, positioning, and homes that feel magazine-worthy instead of mass-produced… this one’s worth a closer look.

If you’re curious what it would actually take to own something like this, you don’t need a presentation.

You just need a conversation.

Most of you aren’t buying a $1.7M golf course estate.

But you are living somewhere.

And the same principles apply: Positioning. Scarcity. Timing.

If you’re curious…
If you’re quietly wondering what your house is worth,
or whether you’re paying too much in taxes,
or if now’s the right time to move…

You don’t need a presentation.
You need a real conversation.

I’m here for that.