The majority of the buildings in Wilkinsburg’s potential historic district are single-family dwellings, some of which have been converted into multiple-dwellings. The houses are typically vernacular, with little high-style elaboration. Dwellings are mostly 2- or 2 1/2-stories in height and have simple footprints and massing. Both brick and wood frame construction are common, although most of the wood frame houses have been sheathed in aluminum or vinyl siding. Foundations are mostly of stone, and roofs, primarily of asphalt shingles, were originally slate. The houses in the potential historic district, as in other areas of Wilkinsburg, are generally set very close together on small urban lots, with small front yards.
Stylistically, the potential historic district is dominated by Queen Anne and Colonial Revival style buildings, with some Prairie, Craftsman, and other late nineteenth and early twentieth century styles scattered throughout. Common features of the houses in the area are large front porches, turned porch posts or classical columns, art glass windows, patterned shingles in the gable ends, patterned masonry, and bay windows.
Another predominant home style in Wilkinsburg is the American Foursquare. This style was popular from the mid-1890s to the late 1930s. It is said to be a reaction to the ornate elements of the Victorian and other Revival styles popular throughout the last half of the 19th century.
There are a number of sets of Row Houses (or attached houses) in the potential historic district. The houses on Elvia Way, Hulem Way, and at 1148-1156 1/2 South Ave., all appear to have been built by the same developer. All are multiple brick units with flat roofs, variously colored bricks, front porches and decorative art glass transoms. Another interesting set of attached houses are located at 1107-1129 Rebecca Ave. This row was built around 1910, and although it has been sheathed in insulbrick, it still exhibits the characteristic tapered square porch posts and simple massing of the Prairie style.