When Richard and Laura Tame were relocating from California in 2021, Pittsburgh felt like a blank slate to them. Not tied to one particular neighborhood or locale, the couple explored homes in all corners of the region.

As soon as they stepped inside 999 Elmhurst Road in Fox Chapel, though, the couple knew their search was over.

“We knew the moment that we saw this home that it was truly something special and unique,” the couple wrote in an email. “We truly loved this neighborhood, and this particular home was just what we were looking for. The floor plan is open and flows so beautifully. And, the quality and craftsmanship of the actual house are incredible.”

Built in 2013, the nearly 6,000-square-foot home was designed by Seattle-based Lindal Homes; local construction was completed by John Hobart Miller, who is known locally for his quality craftsmanship.

Awarded multiple honors by the Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh, the home also features geothermal heating, 10 zones of radiant heat, plus solar panels, making it energy-efficient, says Realtor Sabrina Geraci of Howard Hanna.

While the Tames enjoyed four years in their cedar-and-stone home, they are now ready to move on. Listed for $3.6 million, the home is one of the most unusual properties Geraci says she has ever listed — in a good way.

“It feels like a vacation home you would find in Colorado or the state of Washington,” she says.

When the home was built, it had three bedrooms and a seven-car garage. The space has since been reimagined and now has five bedrooms and three garage stalls with EV charging. The property also has high ceilings flanked by soaring walls of windows, which are some of Geraci’s favorite features.

“I also love the warmth of the heated floors throughout, making it comfortable in any weather,” she says.

The house makes a statement from the moment one opens the wood–and-glass-swirled front door, itself a work of art. The sweeping open floor plan brings nature in from all angles thanks to outsized windows at every turn. Drawing on Bauhaus design principles, choices like warm-toned wood and other natural elements further cement the relationship between the house and the land surrounding it.

On the main level of the home is a living room, dining room, sitting room and a gourmet CUVVE kitchen with Miele appliances and a Wolf induction cooktop. The primary suite is also situated on the main level and contains a bedroom, office/gym space, large walk-in closets and a spacious bathroom with a steam shower and dressing room.

The home’s lower level is where the remaining living space is located — but it’s not a basement.

A family room, four spacious bedrooms, a laundry room, office and three more full bathrooms round out the below-grade level of the home, which is still bright and sunny thanks to ample windows. Built-in storage systems throughout the home make it easy to organize, as well as to keep clutter out of sight.

“We still are surprised by the vast amount of storage in this home,” says Laura. “There is truly no shortage of shelves and cabinets in each room.”

When the family closed on the property, the expansive open floor plan felt more like a playground than a home, recalls Laura.

“When we first moved, it took a while for our things to arrive from California, so we made the most of the emptiness of the house,” she says. “Our kids rode their scooters across the great room and down the hallway and back.”

Once the interior of the home was filled with furniture, the kids still didn’t lack spaces to play. In addition to a large paved drive great for scootering, a deck and patio extend the family’s living space during warmer months. A putting green and basketball hoop help makes the property a desirable hangout spot, as does the greenhouse, where the family could temporarily escape those cold Pittsburgh winters.

“By far, my favorite feature of our home is the greenhouse,” says Laura. “We can grow fruits and vegetables and flowers all year long… if any of us had a green thumb.”

The California transplants say they also came to love the Fox Chapel community, as well as its easy access to Pittsburgh.

“This neighborhood has been so welcoming and friendly and kind, and we have developed truly deep, supportive, and lasting friendships in our relatively short time here,” the couple wrote. “Any time we or any of our neighbors need anything, we know that we can easily reach out.”

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: Fox Chapel
Population: 5,299
Planes, Trains & Automobiles: Most folks who live in Fox Chapel have a car, and while there are some great trail systems for recreation, most dining and shopping requires wheels. Some public transportation exists in the community, but it is not robust and mostly serves those commuting to Downtown. The airport is under 40 minutes away, and it’s fairly easy to access the city’s main northern arteries.
Schools: Fox Chapel Area School District (fcasd.edu)
Neighborhood: The wooded, upscale community is a mix of planned neighborhoods and homes in more rural settings. Most residents know their neighbors and enjoy community events like Halloween parades and festivals. Home to The Pittsburgh Field Club, which opened in 1882, and the Fox Chapel Golf Club, which opened in 1919, Fox Chapel is located close to many shops, restaurants and spots for entertainment, including the frequent summer concerts at Hartwood Acres.