PHOTOS BY FLYOVER PROPERTIES

Relocating to Pittsburgh from Washington, D.C., in 2019, Gera Jochum and Robert Rounsley say they were were hoping to own a piece of Pittsburgh history — which is just one of the many reasons a Point Breeze home caught their attention.

Built in 1929, 7035 Penn Ave. is one of the homes built where Greenlawn, the ornate chateau belonging to ketchup king Henry J. Heinz, once stood. Today, all that remains of the mansion, which was dismantled in 1924, is its ornate iron and stone fence, which now outlines the stretch of Penn Avenue where Jochum and Rounsley’s home is located. Two of Greenlawn’s outbuildings — the carriage house and an extension to Heinz’s private museum — are also now homes.

Impeccably preserved, 7035 Penn Ave. has exquisite original details that stood out from other homes Jochum and Rounsley toured. Large, bright rooms and ample space added to the appeal, says Jochum.

“Every floor of the home has its own special charm,” she says.

Measuring just under 3,000 square feet, the stately white brick home features five bedrooms and five bathrooms. The first floor received modern upgrades that give it an open-concept feel while still retaining the property’s historical details.

The owners are particularly fond of the staircase’s handcrafted iron handrail. Arched doorways and funky modern light fixtures continue the theme of melding the old with the new. Original millwork, fireplace tile and stained glass also offer a glimpse back into Pittsburgh’s Gilded Age.

Some of those modern updates can be credited to the owners’ careful eye for design, says Realtor Andrea Ehrenreich of Howard Hanna, who has listed the home for $775,000.

“The sellers recently did a complete renovation of the kitchen,” she says. “It’s large with an expansive island, and a bonus is that it leads right outside to the back porch and yard.”

White, ceiling-height cabinets and classic subway tile make the kitchen feel clean and modern, while the natural wood tones of the large island reflect the greenery of the outdoors. Pops of color, such as red tile around a greenhouse window and a coordinating, red-painted back door, are both unexpected and fun.

That door leads to a large private backyard with a two-car garage, one of the most desirable features for a home in a city neighborhood.

“The accessibility and privacy at this price point are almost impossible to find,” says Ehrenreich.

Mature trees and shrubs create a private outdoor oasis in the backyard while the wide, covered front porch is a perfect perch for watching the neighborhood and chatting with friends. The home is also walkable to the trails at Frick Park and the playground at Westinghouse Park, which Jochum and Rounsley say they will miss.

“From the back, you can enjoy views of the Heinz estate carriage house,” Jochum adds.

Upstairs are bright, spacious bedrooms with gleaming hardwood floors and fresh paint throughout. On the second level are three bedrooms and two bathrooms, including a large primary suite with a walk-in closet. The third floor has two additional bedrooms and an updated bathroom. While other features have been brought into the 21st century, several of the bathrooms still retain their original colorful tile work.

With so many rooms, there’s opportunities for guest spaces, a nursery, an office for remote work or even just a quiet hideaway.

“One of my favorite rooms in the house is one on the third floor used as a library and office, with its sloping ceilings and half-dome windows,” says Rounsley.

The walkable neighborhood is a gem, and Rounsley and Jochum say they bonded with the residents around them, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I’ll miss the neighbors most,” says Jochum. “They’re like an extension of my family.”

Ehrenrich says that for buyers, there are few opportunities like this home in the city.

“With the finishes, the size, and the character, I can confidently say this is an incredible buy for a lucky new owner,” 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: Point Breeze
Population: 6,727
Planes, Trains, & Automobiles: With ample public transportation and easy access to Interstate 376, Point Breeze residents are perfectly situated for transportation by car, bike, bus or foot. The airport is a 25-minute drive — or hop on a bus to Downtown and catch the Airport Flyer to save on long-term parking. While many residents of Point Breeze do own cars, it’s not necessary.
Schools: Pittsburgh Public Schools (pghschools.org)
Neighborhood: Home to the East End Food Co-op and Henry Clay Frick’s Clayton, which is a part of the 5.5-acre Frick Art & Historical Center, Point Breeze also counts Westinghouse Park, Mellon Park and Homewood Cemetery, as well as the northern edge of Frick Park, within its borders. The largely residential neighborhood in Pittsburgh’s East End is surrounded by North Point Breeze, Regent Square, Squirrel Hill South, Squirrel Hill North, Shadyside, and Wilkinsburg. Rapper Mac Miller and Pulitzer Prize-winner author David McCullough were also raised in the neighborhood.