PHOTOS BY KARL HUDSON, KH HOME PHOTOS

Tucked away in a quiet section Overbrook, 2157 Fairland St. is one of the best-kept secrets in town.

Built in 1926, the bungalow appears at first glance to be a typical, tidy Pittsburgh home, but after the home went on the market in January, its stunning interior quickly shot it to viral fame on Zillow Gone Wild, where commenters marveled over the three-bedroom home’s intricate, original millwork, stained glass windows and iron filigree doors that were imported from Italy.

Owner Sandy Gough, who bought the home in 2018, isn’t surprised her home has received such attention. Those same details are what made her fall in love with the home in the first place.

“The woodwork throughout, the stained glass, the chandeliers, the hardwood floors and the gate imported from Italy were magical to me,” she says.

She envisioned morning coffees in the breakfast nook, with sunlight filtering through the stained glass windows. She had just begun her retirement — and this home was the perfect place to enjoy it.

After moving in, Gough updated the kitchen but saved as many original details as possible.

“We didn’t touch the black and white tile; both my contractor and I were too in love with it,” she recalls.

The home is now listed for $225,000 by Miranda Micire of Compass Real Estate, who is not surprised one bit by the attention it has received.

“This home stands out because it is a part of Pittsburgh history,” she says.

Beyond the untouched woodwork and original details, this home was previously owned by the manager of Joseph Horne’s Department Store, which was once a staple of the Downtown business district.

“Watching the amount of interest just further emphasizes the need to preserve our old houses and leave the original historic details in place as much as possible,” Micire says.

Measuring just over 2,000 square feet, the home is larger than it appears from the street. The second floor contains three bedrooms, all with original millwork, plus an updated bathroom that still has the well-preserved, original tile. A staircase from one of the bedrooms leads up to a third-floor bonus room that could function as a storage space, office or studio.

The basement is unfinished but bright and functional. The backyard includes a patio, updated landscaping and off-street parking. The house has been well-maintained — and Gough expects its next owners to have the same reaction she did to it.

“One thing that never gets old is when someone new steps through the front door and has that ‘Wow’ moment,” she says. “It happens every time.”

Gough also enjoyed living in Overbrook, which she says is perfect for walking her dog. She also loved being able to walk to Phillips Park and to Frank and Shirley’s, a nearby diner, as well as the quick access the neighborhood offers to much of the city.

“I wanted the option of taking the T Downtown or making a short drive,” she says.

Micire says the home is priced well for first-time buyers, adding she has enjoyed helping this home shine alongside Gough and Hollis Home Staging.

“Old houses are a treasure and should be treated as such,” she says.

When Gough is asked what she will miss most about her home, she has a hard time choosing. The ornate Italianate gate, the tile work and the wildlife she could see as she drank her coffee or a glass of wine near the sliding glass doors all come to mind; it still feels magical to her, even as she prepares to move on. The one thing she can’t get over, though, is her awe of the fancy ceilings.

“I’m still always looking up,” she says.

Meg St-Esprit is a Bellevue-based freelance journalist who covers real estate, lifestyle, education, parenting and travel for a variety of local outlets including Pittsburgh Magazine, PublicSource, Kidsburgh, Pittsburgh City Paper, and City Cast Pittsburgh. Meg offers Hot Property, an inside look into unique and historic homes on the market. Each week, Hot Property goes behind the For Sale sign to share the story of a special Pittsburgh-area home.

About: Overbrook
Population: 5,649
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: With access to the T lines that run both south and to Downtown, ample bus stops and ride shares, and easy access to Route 51 and other major arteries out of the city, Overbrook is perfectly located for enjoying city life. The airport is a simple 20-minute drive
Schools: Pittsburgh Public Schools (pghschools.org)
Neighborhood: In 1930, Overbrook was the last borough annexed to Pittsburgh. The small neighborhood on the south end of the city is a mix of single-family homes and apartments. Recently, an influx of young families has brought new energy to the community, and the parks and recreation within the community is credited with bringing folks together.