PHOTOS BY FLYOVER PROPERTIES

Jordan Coughlen says when he signed a stack of closing documents for 5932 Heberton Drive in Penn Hills at the dawn of the pandemic in February 2020, he and partner Andy Julo had no idea they would be spending so much time at their newly purchased home. 

In fact, one of the couple’s favorite memories is a photo shoot they hosted in early March for Streekers Vintage at the ranch, which was built in 1965. 

“The home was purchased with all of the original furniture, much of which we retained,” says Jordan. “That day sits really strongly in my mind as one of the last ‘normal’ moments we had before the world began navigating that very confusing and stressful time.” 

Not only did the three-bedroom ranch come with much of its original Mid-Century Modern furniture, the finishings inside the home had been almost perfectly preserved for six decades. 

“The home was designed to reflect the aspirations of mid-century living,” says Andy. 

A neighbor told the couple the home was constructed as the model home for the block, with the lower level serving as the sales office for prospective buyers in the community. Andy says he’s long been taken by the aesthetic choices of Carmella Maruco, its original resident. 

According to him, Maruco raised her daughter in the home while working as a hair stylist at the former Mansmann’s Department Store in East Liberty. 

“Less than two weeks after the home was purchased, Carmella passed away— having recently celebrated her 100th birthday,” says Andy. “When making updates to the house, we would often ask, ‘What would Carmella do?’”

Now on the market for $275,000, the home hit the market with a flurry of activity, which was no surprise to Realtor Sarah Madia of RE/MAX Select Realty, who says she has never before listed such a well-preserved example of mid-century design and architecture. 

“The first time I toured the home I was wowed with all of the original features from when the home was built, but more so due to their pristine condition,” she says. “The kitchen’s tile backsplash is one of my favorite features in the whole house — and the vintage countertops.” 

Madia also cites the great floor plan and spacious bedrooms as reasons the house has been so popular on the market. The solidly built home also has been well-maintained and carefully updated throughout the years. 

Complementing the home’s architecture and age are new paint colors chosen by the owners. The updated kitchen flooring also melds so well with the home’s design that it appears original and while the kitchen retains its original cabinets, it’s been updated for modern living with stainless steel appliances.

“The current owners have embraced its original design and character,” says Madia. 

One-level living and a spacious two-car integral garage also make this home a standout. Jordan says the big backyard was perfect for training their dachshund, Freddie Mercury, for a weiner dog race, while Madia says she loves the covered rear deck as a private oasis.

“The yard could be a fun project for the right buyer to extend the living space further into the outdoors,” she says. 

All three of the home’s bedrooms are on the main floor. The primary bedroom features an ensuite half bathroom while a full bathroom is accessed from a shared hallway off of the front foyer. The kitchen, dining and living rooms flow together and open onto the rear covered deck. 

“I love that neighborhood and the charm in every room of our home,” says Jordan, “But the deck stands out as such a special spot because it provided respite whenever I needed it — and I had some of the deepest conversations with people I cherish while enjoying that sacred space.” 

The finished lower level of the home includes another full bathroom, a laundry room, a finished game room with period-perfect wood paneling and a sliding door to the backyard. 

The couple also has loved their neighbors and the Penn Hills community, which they say they will miss. 

“In addition to some great Italian restaurants, you’re not far from Lawrenceville, Monroeville, East Liberty, and Oakmont,” Andy says.

Jordan calls their little corner of the world magical. 

“Heberton is one of the rare flat streets in the city,” he says. “Everyone on our block is friendly and supportive, always watching out for one another.” 

The couple thinks the next owners will most enjoy the outdoor space, with Andy adding he knows the next family will love the flow of the home as well. 

“Among my fondest memories of the house are the years when Jordan and I hosted our families here for Thanksgiving,” he says. “The kitchen is large enough for multiple people to be working at the same time. The deck and large living room made it an easy space to entertain.”

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: Penn Hills
Population: 41,132
Planes, Trains & Automobiles: Penn Hills is located east of Pittsburgh, with easy access to the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Parkway East. The airport is a 30-minute commute, and Pittsburgh Regional Transit buses run to Pittsburgh.
Schools: Penn Hills School District (phsd.org)
Neighborhood: Full of restaurants, retail shops and parks, the sprawling suburban community is Allegheny County’s second-largest municipality; It includes a number of distinct neighborhoods, among them Rosedale, Churchill Valley and Crescent Hills. The area is notable for its proximity to the city as well as its affordable housing and large yards.