PITTSBURGH — Demolition has begun of the 186-year-old Ewalt House in Pittsburgh’s Lawrenceville neighborhood.
Bulldozers arrived at the home shortly before noon Wednesday and started tear down the home.
Built by Samuel Ewalt, an early merchant in Pittsburgh and the first sheriff of Allegheny County, the home was recommended to receive a historical designation by Pittsburgh’s Historical Review Commission and Planning Commission. That bill, which the homeowners opposed, was later withdrawn.
If you want to receive Allegheny County news alerts, please download our WPXI News App. You can also follow WPXI on Facebook and Twitter.
The owners of the home, the Ruperts, have been ready to tear down the home, which they said is a money pit.
“We’ve had in three years many people offer, but the banks would not give them loans because the house needed too much work to be done,” said Beth Rupert.
They also said Ewalt, a former slave owner, should not be honored.
Plans to demolish the home were delayed by the recommendation for historical designation.
“I wish there had been more time for them to pursue the historical designation, and see if they could work with a buyer who could restore the property rather than completely demolish it,” said Carol McQuaide of Lawrenceville.
This browser does not support the video element.