Help save history in your community by restoring and reusing historic buildings.

“The owner of this building is very involved in fixing up the community. He has lots of awards on his wall for all the good work he has done.” —student quote

1122 East Carson Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15203

Date and Style

Built in the 1870s

—Victorian (Second Empire) style

This Victorian building, designed during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901), is in the Second Empire style. Notice the steeply-sloped mansard roof, a full story high with large windows. This style originated in Paris, France. The “Second Empire” refers to the empire of Napoleon III, who ruled France from 1852 to 1870.

Facts and Stories Worth Knowing

• The building may have originally been a shoe store and was Heckler's drug store for many years.
• Cindy and Cyril Esser opened their flower shop in 1982, when there were many vacant storefronts on East Carson Street.
• They were part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Main Street program, begun on the South Side in 1985. East Carson Street merchants received advice on how to fix up their historic buildings and worked together to promote East Carson Street as a unique place to shop, live, and work.

• A new paint job in 2006 accented building details at Esser’s Floral Shop (see photos below).

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