PHOTOS COURTESY BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY

Dormont has a lot to offer — a thriving business district, a stellar WalkScore of 82 and access to the “T.” Combine that with lots of greenspace and the Dormont Pool and what’s not to love?

Nonetheless, this charming suburb has taken a backseat to its superstar sister, Mt. Lebanon, for years. That is radically changing now. Lots of local investment, combined with inflated COVID-19 pandemic-priced housing, is forcing buyers to widen their nets in their home search. 

For Berkshire Hathaway Realtor Bob Dini, this is good news. He has been championing his hometown of Dormont since he got into the real estate business in 1989. 

“I live in the community and I am invested in the community,” he says. 

Specializing in new construction and site development, Dini’s latest project is one he developed locally, a pair of houses at 2712 Broadway Ave. on the site of the old Stevenson Farmhouse. It’s near the T-Stop of the same name. 

Dini partnered with builder Keith Buono of Buono Construction and architect Quintin Kittle of qkArchitecture for the project. Together, the houses they brought to life include 3,100 square feet of living space over four finished levels. Features include four bedrooms, three full and two half bathrooms and a lofty owner’s retreat with vaulted ceilings and panoramic views courtesy of a Juliet balcony. 

Dini has listed it for $485,000 (MLS#1481290, 412/855-2058, thepreferredrealty.com) There will be an open house in accordance with the state’s COVID-19 guidelines from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 11. 

The location at Stevenson Farmhouse, one of the borough’s original homes, dates back to the late 1800s. Dormont appointed a conservator for the deteriorated property and several contractors deemed the home beyond repair, informing the borough and local historical society of their findings. The property was then cleared for development.  

With its exterior mixture of Hardie Plank and cultured stone siding, the new building fits in nicely with the already-established streetscape. Front doors in cheerful colors separate the homes and high-efficiency, double-hung Pella windows let in lots of light. A two-car garage features an electric car charging station and there’s space for two additional vehicles in the driveway. The rear features a covered porch area and a level backyard.

Inside, 10-foot-high ceilings add to the spacious feel. The main level features a living room and dining room (each 26-by-23 square feet) with espresso-hued plank floors. The kitchen is built for a cook with 42-inch custom cabinets, a 10-foot-long center island and quartz countertops. All of the appliances are premium KitchenAid. 

There also is a “landing zone” service area with glass-front cabinets and HDMI port receptacles for all of your electronic charging needs. Additionally, the home features outlets, thermostat and garage doors controlled by smartphone technology. 

The lower level has a finished 16-foot-wide game room and a half bathroom. There is a half bathroom on the main level as well.  

Three bedrooms are located on the second floor. They range in size from 15-by-11-square feet to 13-by-10 square feet. The largest has an ensuite private bathroom with barn-style doors adorned with heavy hardware — a nice touch. The other two bedrooms are serviced by a full bathroom in the hallway. All three rooms are carpeted and there is a full laundry room on this level as well. 

The owner’s suite on the home’s third level features a spacious 27-by-16 square foot room with a vaulted ceiling and French doors. Sited to “take advantage of the sunset to the west,” it also provides a great daylight view as the home sits on one of the highest points in Allegheny County. 

Finished in large-format porcelain tile, the attached bathroom has a soaking tub, separate shower and vanity for two. 

Next door, an opportunity exists for more personalization. 

“2708 is completely framed inside and the mechanicals have been run,” Dini says. “All of the joists are 16-inch beams, so there are no interior load-bearing walls. We can reconfigure the 3,100-foot layout for more customization.”  

Another good reason to live in Dormont: Restaurants are thriving as rents are still reasonable. 

“I just completed a lease for Back Alley Brewing Co.,” Dini adds. “They are going into the former Dormont Borough Municipal Building and Arsenal Brewing is at the former First Commonwealth Building.” 

Other local points of interest include the Hollywood Theatre, an international food market and Fire Pub and Grill. 

“The neighborhood has a lot of diversity and growth,” Dini says. “It’s just a very attractive place to be.” 

Drawing on her years of experience covering the region’s real estate industry, Rosa Colucci’s Hot Property will offer an inside look into unique and historic homes currently on the market. Each week, Hot Property goes behind the For Sale sign to share the story of a special Pittsburgh area home.  And four times a year, Hot Property will give an in-depth look at the region’s real estate market in Pittsburgh Magazine HOME, track housing prices and sales and detail where the hot properties can be found. Rosa can be reached at onecordovaroad@gmail.com.

About: Dormont Borough  

Population: 8.593

Planes, Trains & Automobiles: Just a 23-minute commute to the airport. Daily transport via Port Authority buses and the “T” Light rail system. Street parking.

Schools: Keystone Oaks School District (kosd.org/) is comprised of Castle Shannon, Dormont and Green Tree. The average elementary class size is 22 students. Ranks among the top 15 districts in Western Pennsylvania. More than 21 sports at the high school level and STEAM Curriculum. 

Neighborhood: Dormont has a historic society, a lively community life and a voluntary cooperation with Sustainable Pennsylvania. Sidewalks and a thriving business district makes for a friendly place to live.