PHOTOS BY MARK J. HOLEWINSKI

When Bill and Roe Hurst had a chance to move back to Pittsburgh to be closer to family, they fell in love with a one-of-a-kind brick home in Mt. Lebanon that had plenty of room for their five children. 

Built in 1922, the home at 1170 Washington Road is loaded with arts-and-crafts design details, including natural woodwork and built-in shelves. The half-acre, tabletop lot also had plenty of room for the large family to ramble around. 

“Our kids could walk to school and we could walk uptown and enjoy restaurants. It is just nice to have so many things so close,” Bill says. 

The five-bedroom, three-bathroom home is now more space than these almost-empty-nesters need. It’s listed for sale for $599,900 (MLS# 1518797, Vera Purcell of Howard Hanna Real Estate, 412/916-4488, howardhanna.com). It is open by appointment. 

The home has a storybook quality, thanks to the low-slung roof line and a charming eyebrow window that’s a wink and a nod to what lies within. A conservatory on the right and a sunroom on the left flank the main home area. These two charming spaces are very popular with visitors. 

The large driveway has plenty of space for parking and also leads down to the rear of the home, where the couple expanded the hardscape to accommodate a number of cars while still retaining the abundant yard space.

“To me, the yard is a very nice feature. We can fit 20 cars between the front and cars going to the back,” Bill says.  

That theory was tested in full last year when the couple hosted an at-home wedding for their son after the coronavirus pandemic put a wrench in the original plans.

“We set up tents in the back,” Bill recalls, adding there was plenty of room for guests. 

Inside, the home’s entry has a slate tile floor and natural woodwork. A single glass door with mullions leads to the 22-by-14-square-foot family room, where a natural stone fireplace, coffered ceiling and maple floors add to the inviting atmosphere.  

The opposite end of the room features a pair of stunning built-in cabinets that flank the entrance into the dining room, which includes an amazing window seat with a special feature: a radiator with a seat cover to keep you warm during the winter. Another pair of doors takes you to the sunroom, where another fireplace awaits. It’s a cozy getaway that is perfect for cuddling up with a book. 

The couple renovated the 12-by-12-square-foot kitchen, installing maple floors and tall cabinets with a maple-stain finish and crown molding. The smartly designed space even has room for a small television hidden above the refrigerator. Stone countertops, stainless-steel appliances and a large pantry wall round out the space. 

The couple also converted one of the doors into a window, which allowed for kitchen seating. Custom rattan shades and neutral paint colors pull the space together. 

There also is a nice den that was once used as a first-floor bedroom; It’s a total game-changer for anyone seeking one-level living.

“There is a large closet in there and a door that goes to the full bath on the first floor,” Bill says. 

The lovely bathroom has classic white subway tile, black checkerboard detail and the original built-in medicine cabinets and sconces. A tall linen closet and a tub/shower combination make this a very usable space. 

The couple also renovated the basement, and it’s a great area where a family can enjoy movie nights. 

“It was a typical open area that I sectioned off for a recreation room, laundry, pantry and workroom with tools,“ Bill says.  

Upstairs, the bedrooms are filled with charm. Painted a robin’s egg blue that plays wonderfully off the original wood floors, the primary bedroom features the eyebrow window, which lets in a lot of light. A full bathroom with a two-sink vanity is accessible from the bedroom and from the hallway. 

Two other rooms sit over the added two-car garage. These rooms have access to a rear balcony. The third bedroom is painted a dusty lavender and is used as an office space. 

Another hallway bathroom services these bedrooms. There’s also a closet/ironing room  that features shelves, hooks and floor-to-ceiling storage cabinets with their original wood doors with latch closures still intact.  

“We have always appreciated older houses with natural finished wood,” Bill adds. “But what sold us is the fact that we have five kids, and there was lots of room.” 

Hot Property is 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. And four times a year, Hot Property gives an in-depth look at the region’s real estate market in Pittsburgh Magazine HOME, tracking housing prices and sales and detailing where the hot properties can be found. Rosa can be reached at onecordovaroad@gmail.com.

About: Mt. Lebanon (mtlebanon.org)
Population: 33,137
Planes, Trains & Automobiles: A 25-minute commute to the airport. Daily transport via Port Authority’s T-Rail line and street buses. On-street, metered and by permit parking.
Schools: Mt. Lebanon School District ranks high academically, with 93% of its graduates going on to post-secondary education. (mtlsd.org)
Neighborhoods: Mt. Lebanon has one of the most vibrant, thriving (and dog-friendly) business districts in Allegheny County. Take a stroll and visit Rollier’s Hardware, Uptown Coffee and The Fabric Place. Restaurants range from grabbing a quick slice of pizza at Mineo’s to upscale dining at Bistro 19. Benches and trees welcome visitors and the historic churches located up and down the main drag are a marvel to behold any time of the year.