Steve Mellon, Post-Gazette Above: This three-story Victorian home on Troy Hill, built in the 1880s by Louis Reineman, is on the market for $234,000. Below: The master bath boasts a clawfoot tub and original stained glass windows. Click photos for larger image. More information An open house will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. today at 1706 Rialto St., Troy Hill. Information: Mario Costanazo of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, 724-934-3400 or www.howardhanna.com, MLS No. 583920.

When it comes to Pittsburgh's hilltop communities, Mount Washington typically gets most of the attention. But there are actually several city neighborhoods that overlook the city's three rivers, including Troy Hill on the North Side.

Settled by German immigrants who worked in the tanneries, mills and breweries in the flats below, this tight-knit community above the Allegheny River dates to the early 1830s, when Troy Hill was still part of Allegheny City.

In 2000, the neighborhood enjoyed a moment in the spotlight with the publication of Clare Ansberry's book, "The Women of Troy Hill." But its housing stock also deserves attention. Wonderfully diverse, it includes Italianate, Second Empire, Colonial Revival, Gothic Revival -- even some rare examples of the Stick style.

A picturesque Victorian can be found at 1706 Rialto St. On the market for $234,900, the house is on the high side for Troy Hill, where single-family homes usually go for less than $100,000. It has, however, been completely renovated and is one of the hill's bigger homes, with more than 4,000 square feet of living space over three levels.

Built in the early 1880s for a member of the Reineman family, this three-story red brick house has a steeply pitched, gabled roof and bay windows on either side of its covered front porch.

Though it is lovely today, it was in disrepair when Steve Shivak and his wife Jodi purchased it in early 2002. With holes in the roof, much of the interior was open to the elements, causing plaster to peel and wooden floorboards to swell. The previous owners had also closed in the one-story front porch with glass and dry-walled over a window in the kitchen.

Mr. Shivak, who had relocated here from Texas, had long flirted with the "romantic idea" of buying an old house and fixing it up. He was considering a nearby Second Empire-style house, when someone pointed out this "Munster House" on Rialto (named for its eerie wrought-iron fence and waist-tall weeds).

The house wasn't for sale, but the couple liked what they saw. After tracking down the owner on the Allegheny County Web site, Mr. Shivak set a letter offering to buy the house if it was ever for sale. By week's end, the owner had already responded with a price.

	Steve Mellon, Post-Gazette Above: The double-door entryway of the Shivak's Victorian grants access to a tiled foyer, and sets a bright and spacious tone for the Troy Hill home. Below: A chandelier, high ceilings and tall windows let ample light into the formal dining room. Click photos for larger image.

"And three weeks later, this was all mine," says Mr. Shivak, laughing.

Like many homes on Troy Hill, the house has changed hands only a few times in the past 120 years. Its longest owners were Ella and Joseph Thoms, a general practice doctor who purchased the house in the early 1920s and saw patients in a small examination room on the first floor.

Situated on a level half-acre corner lot, the property once included a stable and house on neighboring Ley Street. (Dr. Thoms had it built for a family member.).

Today, one of its nicest exterior features is its spacious back porch and swing overlooking the heavily shaded back yard.

The formal front entrance is pretty too, and nearly as large. It features a double front door with delicate etched-glass panels, a separate foyer with blue-and-white tile floors and white subway tile walls.

The first floor is the very picture of Victorian elegance. Ceilings more than 11 feet high, tall windows, original oak floors, crown molding and extra-tall baseboards create a spacious feel, as does the large center hall, which is brightened by an antique cut-glass chandelier from New Orleans.

The formal living and dining rooms have decorative marble fireplaces and large bay windows overlooking the front yard.

The eat-in kitchen is much more contemporary. Geared to the serious cook, it features stainless steel appliances, custom cherry cabinetry, marble countertops and a center island with an electric cooktop and space for four chairs.

The Shivaks, who are selling the house so they can be closer to family, also converted the small room off the hall that held Dr. Thoms' private office into a small powder room/first-floor laundry. A room off the back porch with an exposed brick chimney is currently set up as a sitting room but would also make a nice home office.

The open staircase to the second floor features a stained-glass window above its landing. Two of the three bedrooms have decorative fireplaces. The smallest, currently used as a nursery, is painted mint green and overlooks the back yard.

The master bedroom has a pair of closets and a private bath with walk-in shower and twin vanity.

The main bath off the hall has a reproduction clawfoot tub and new white-painted wainscoting. There's also an original stained-glass window. Another turn-of-the-century touch: Each of the bedroom doors is topped with a multi-panel transom window.

A closed staircase leads to two more carpeted bedrooms and a large powder room on the third floor. The light is especially good in the room to the right of the staircase, says Mr. Shivak, making it the brightest room in the house.

The house has all new wiring, copper plumbing, furnace and roof with gutters and downspouts.

Other improvements include a sump pump and French drain in the basement and new Polaris double-hung thermal windows on the second and third levels.

Thanks to the efforts of a strong citizens group, the neighborhood is on a definite upswing. Troy Hill Citizens Inc. will break ground later this month on a three new homes on Cowley Street. Prices will start at $139,000.

The number of community social events are also on the rise. Troy Hill will hold its first house tour since 1999 next year, and it has partnered with Pittsburgh Urban Magnet Project to screen an outdoor movie in Troy Hill Citizens Park once a month during the spring and summer.

The increase in owner-occupied housing and decline in absentee landlords are positive signs, says Mr. Shivak.

"People are moving here instead of buying and renting."