About Bracken House North Shore
Bracken House North Shore is a pet-friendly apartment building located at Pittsburgh, PA 15212, USA — on the North Shore side of the city. It offers one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, as well as general apartment units. The property has a 4.1 Google rating based on 112 reviews, and its key amenities include a pool, gym, barbecue area, clubhouse, and laundry facilities. Minimum lease term is 6 months. A security deposit of $3,152 is required (indicative — confirm with the operator). Monthly rents range from $1,684 to $6,905 (indicative — confirm with the operator).
Price Positioning vs. City Benchmark
Pittsburgh’s overall starting price across student housing options on the platform is $1,175 per month. Bracken House’s minimum monthly rent of $1,684 sits well above that entry point, placing it in the upper-middle segment of the local market. The maximum rent of $6,905 is significantly higher and likely corresponds to larger two-bedroom units or premium floor plans.
For context, the city currently lists 4 properties on the platform, so options are limited. Bracken House is the only property explicitly located on the North Shore, an area known for its proximity to sports stadiums, restaurants, and the riverfront. If you are looking for budget accommodation near the $1,175 mark, Bracken House will not be the right fit. But if you value on-site amenities (pool, gym, clubhouse) and a pet-friendly policy, the premium over the city’s from-price reflects those extras.
All prices mentioned are indicative — confirm with the operator.
What Residents Actually Say
Reviewers on Google give Bracken House a mixed but generally positive picture. Here are verbatim excerpts from three reviews:
Geert Bijl (5 stars):
“I’ve been living in Pittsburgh for a few years now, and I moved into Bracken House about a year and a half ago. It’s been the best place I’ve lived so far. The staff is always really friendly and responsive, which makes everything easy. The amenities are a big plus too, the pool, gym, barbecue area, and clubhouse are a”
Note: The review cuts off mid-sentence, but the tone is clearly positive about staff responsiveness and amenities.
Rach L (5 stars):
“I’m thrilled to be living at Bracken House! Every step of my move in, Laura, Taylor, and Yulia have been extremely kind, quick to respond, and knowledgeable. It’s really difficult to trust a property manager when renting, but it’s extremely clear that I’m in great hands. Bracken House truly cares about its residents.”
Jp M (3 stars):
“The location is great, the prices are high but so is everywhere else. Out of all the places I have lived I can say that I have had to deal with maintenance issues the most at bracken house. Staff is friendly and helpful, accommodating “most of the time”. With the latest issues with the parking garage collapsing, and be”
Note: This review also cuts off, but highlights a recurring maintenance concern and a parking garage incident.
Summary of resident feedback:
- Positive: Staff friendliness and responsiveness (multiple reviews), amenities (pool, gym, BBQ area), and location.
- Negative: Higher frequency of maintenance issues compared to other past residences, and the mention of a parking garage collapse (likely a noteworthy incident that may have affected residents). Prices are acknowledged as high, but the reviewer notes that is the norm across the city.
Who This Residence Suits / Doesn’t Suit
Suits:
- Residents who want a full-service building: If you use a pool, gym, clubhouse, and barbecue area regularly, the included amenities justify the higher rent.
- Pet owners: The property is explicitly pet-friendly, which is not always the case in Pittsburgh student housing.
- People who value responsive staff: Multiple five-star reviews highlight that the management team (Laura, Taylor, Yulia) is quick to respond and supportive.
- Short-term renters or those needing flexibility: The minimum lease is 6 months, which is shorter than many conventional 12-month leases, making it suitable for exchange students or those uncertain about long-term plans.
Doesn’t suit:
- Budget-conscious students: The starting price of $1,684 is nearly 44% above the city’s from-price of $1,175. If you are on a tight budget, you will find cheaper options (though fewer in number on this platform).
- Those who prioritize maintenance reliability: The three-star review specifically states that maintenance issues are more frequent here than at previous homes. If you dislike dealing with repairs, this may be a drawback.
- People who need a parking spot without potential risks: The review mentioning a parking garage collapse suggests there have been structural issues. Confirm current parking arrangements directly with the operator.
Room-Type Guidance
Bracken House offers one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments. The price range of $1,684–$6,905 monthly is wide, so you can expect:
- 1-bedroom units likely occupy the lower end of that range (around $1,684–$2,500 indicative). Suitable for single students or professionals.
- 2-bedroom units are probably in the $2,500–$6,905 range, with larger or premium layouts costing more. Good for roommates who want to split rent — a two-bedroom at, say, $3,500 split two ways would be $1,750 per person, which is closer to the city’s from-price.
There is no data on furnished vs. unfurnished. Most US apartments of this type are unfurnished, so plan to bring or buy furniture. Confirm with the operator.
Booking Timing
Availability (available_from) is not listed for this property at the time of writing. Given that the city only has 4 properties on the platform, demand may be competitive near the start of semesters (August/September 2026 for fall 2026 intake, or January 2027 for spring).
- If you are aiming for a 2026 move-in, start inquiring at least 3–4 months in advance (e.g., by May 2026 for August 2026).
- For a 2027 start, the same logic applies: begin checking around October 2026 for a January 2027 lease.
- The 6-month minimum lease means you can also sign for a spring-to-summer period (e.g., January–July 2027) if you only need half a year.
Because rent prices and availability can change quickly, it is wise to confirm directly with the property operator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are apartments furnished?
The data does not specify whether Bracken House units come with furniture. Based on typical US apartment buildings in Pittsburgh, most do not include furnishings beyond major appliances (stove, refrigerator, dishwasher). You should ask the operator about furnished options or plan to rent/buy furniture.
Is the property pet-friendly?
Yes, the listing tags include “Pet-friendly”. Several reviewers did not mention pets, but the tag confirms that cats or dogs are allowed. You will need to check with the operator for any breed restrictions, deposit amounts, or monthly pet fees.
How far is Bracken House from Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh?
Bracken House is located on the North Shore of Pittsburgh (ZIP 15212), across the Allegheny River from Downtown and the Oakland neighborhood where both Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh are situated. The driving distance is roughly 3–4 miles, which typically takes 10–15 minutes by car depending on traffic. Public transit options include bus routes that cross the river. Walking is not practical due to the distance and bridge crossings.
Sources & Data Date
- Property data, reviews, and pricing sourced from amber (platform listing ID amber-1663896).
- City from-price and property count derived from same platform data for Pittsburgh.
- All prices are indicative — confirm with the operator.
- Data current as of July 2026.
For real-time availability, current pricing, and to check whether units are furnished, use the on-site assistant on this platform to get live answers from the operator.
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