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Hot Property

Hot Property: An Original Sears “Kit” House Goes Up for Sale in McCandless

The mail-order, two-bedroom Mission-style home remains largely unchanged.
Rosa Colucci/Hot Property,

PHOTOS: PENNSYLVANIA REAL ESTATE PHOTOGRAPHY The kit and catalog houses by Sears Modern Homes were well on their way to changing the way Americans approached housing when the Osborn model from the Honor Bilt line was introduced in 1916.  Priced at $2,753, the Spanish Mission-style design featured stucco porches, bulkheads trimmed with brick coping “for color” and timber columns. Two…

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Rick Sebak

Around Town: The Fresh Take on Thai Food by the River in Blawnox

Rick Sebak recounts his first visit to what's become one of his favorite restaurants.
Rick Sebak, Photos by Rick Sebak,

I was lucky. On April 5, 2018, a Facebook friend, Kevan Yenerall, who teaches political science at Clarion University, sent me a note on Messenger alerting me that his wife had opened a new Thai restaurant in Blawnox. I didn’t have dinner plans that night, so I decided to check it out, and I was immediately impressed at the freshness…

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The 412, Visitors Guide

The Ultimate Vacation Rental for Horror Fans is Hidden in Perryopolis

Buffalo Bill’s House, a filming location from “Silence of the Lambs,” has been converted into a fun and welcoming rental property.
Sean Collier, Photos by Huck Beard,

Even after you pass through the small town of Perryopolis, Buffalo Bill’s House is out of the way. To get there, you’ll need to pass through an imposing tunnel and over a one-lane bridge that spans the Youghiogheny River. There are surprises in store once you arrive — from the recreated scenes in the basement of the 111-year-old home to…

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The 412

Weird and Wonderful: Witches on the Water Return to North Park Lake

In the third annual event, costumed paddleboarders and kayakers delighted spectators on the shore.
Ollie Gratzinger, Photos by Mary Pegher,

Something wicked this way comes … Well, they aren’t wicked at all. In fact, the witches on the water at North Park Lake are pretty friendly; they just want to encourage folks to get outside and have some fun. The third annual Witches on the Water event was held this past Sunday, and Nancy Barnes, who works as a stand…

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House of the Week, Sponsored Content

House of the Week: Brick Colonial in Mt. Lebanon

Custom built by Londonberry Homes, this six-bedroom home has plenty of room inside and out.
Content Provided by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty,

2 Forest Glen Dr., Pittsburgh, PA, 15228 Presented by Lisa Murovich Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty A two-story grand entry leads to a charming living room with beautiful built-ins and a fireplace. There is a formal dining room and an extra-large office/library. The spacious eat-in kitchen leads to a relaxing sunroom that overlooks the private backyard. A cozy family…

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Things To Do

Delights and Frights at FearScapes, More Than a Run-of-the-Mill Haunted House

In exploring one last haunted house before Halloween, I found a hidden gem in Ellwood City.
Ollie Gratzinger,

PHOTOS BY OLLIE GRATZINGER It was finally cold enough to feel like autumn after a long and sweaty Applachian summer, and the seasonal chill was the perfect backdrop for my fourth and final haunted house excursion. As someone who, until a month ago, had actively avoided all the things that go bump in the night, I’m hardly an expert. But…

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Hot Property

Hot Property: A Small Town Home in Oakmont That’s Big on Charm

Recently renovated, the 141-year-old home is close to Oakmont's shops and eateries.
Rosa Colucci/Hot Property,

PHOTOS BY MARK J HOLEWINSKI Some homes are just built right, with a footprint and room sizes that make sense.  Christine Donahue’s place at 622 Fourth Street in Oakmont is a great example. The 2,182 square feet of space in the classic Victorian interior was a nice fit for her family. Through the years, it needed very few changes.  Located…

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House of the Week, Sponsored Content

House of the Week: Custom-Built Brick Home in Franklin Park

Located in the North Allegheny School District, this home is minutes from major highways, shopping, restaurants and North Park.
Content Provided by Howard Hanna Real Estate Services,

1512 Abby Rose Ct., Franklin Park, PA 15237 Presented by Malini Jaganathan Howard Hanna Real Estate Services This five-bedroom home sits on a cul-de-sac with a large, usable lot.  A grand two-story foyer entrance with Porcelain floors greets you.  The kitchen features an oversized granite island, tall cabinetry, stainless steel Bosch appliances, a beverage station, a walk-in pantry and a breakfast nook…

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The 412, Things To Do

Experiencing Pittsburgh’s Most Popular Haunts: Phantom Fall Fest at Kennywood

The event, formerly dubbed Phantom Fright Nights, featured five haunted houses and a range of creatures creeping through the park.
Ollie Gratzinger,

PHOTOS BY OLLIE GRATZINGER No series on Pittsburgh haunts would be complete without a visit to the Halloween-themed festivities at West Mifflin’s Kennywood Park. The infamous Phantom Fright Nights began back in the early aughts, but this year, things looked a little different: Rebranding as Phantom Fall Fest, the park opens earlier in the day for family-friendly fun, including autumnal…

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Collier's Weekly

Perspectives: Sidewalk Parking Is Illegal — But, on Many Pittsburgh Streets, Necessary

As some Pittsburghers get up in arms about wheels on the sidewalk, the city seems content to let parking be a street-by-street battle between neighbors.
Sean Collier,

PHOTOS BY OLLIE GRATZINGER There’s a guy on my block who really, really doesn’t want you to park on his sidewalk. He’s taken the unusual step of printing and laminating a series of signs to this effect, lining the fence in front of his house with yellow placards instructing spot-searching motorists that putting two wheels on the curb is prohibited….

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Hot Property

Hot Property: Get to Know Weaver Homes at Festival of Homes Tour

Sponsored by the Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh, the annual event showcases new builds around the area.
Rosa Colucci/Hot Property,

PHOTOS COURTESY WEAVER HOMES For more than two decades, the Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh’s Festival of Homes tour has presented local homebuyers with the opportunity to spend a few weekends exploring what new builders have to offer.  It’s not a moment too soon. With supply chain disruptions and a constricted workforce caused by the pandemic, the sooner a housing…

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The 412

Bid on a Fire Truck, Lava Lamp and More at the Airport Authority’s Annual Auction

The event was held online last year due to COVID-19, but this year, it’s back and bigger than ever.
Ollie Gratzinger,

PHOTOS COURTESY BLUE SKY NEWS | ALLEGHENY COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY In the market for a fire truck? What about a lava lamp? A rice cooker? High-end designer dress shoes?  Look no further than Pittsburgh International Airport. Allegheny County Airport Authority’s annual auction returns in-person on Oct. 23, featuring thousands of items left behind by travelers. In addition to the more…

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House of the Week, Sponsored Content

House of the Week: A Country Home on More than 33 Acres

Located in the Fox Chapel School District, this home is less than 30 minutes from Pittsburgh.
Content Provided by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty,

500 Cedar Run, Indiana Twp, PA 15101 Presented by Julie Rost & Bunny Wolff Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty The farmhouse was custom created by renowned local builder, Peter Perkins for the current owners. Abundant light streams through tall windows. Beautiful wide plank wood floors add to the charm. There are custom-built bookshelves in the library. The kitchen features…

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Hot Property

Hot Property: An Arts & Crafts Bungalow in Thornburg with Impeccable Design

The five-bedroom home includes many original details.
Rosa Colucci/Hot Property,

PHOTOS BY ELEVATION PHOTOGRAPHY It didn’t take long for Sandra McPhee and her husband, James, to feel at home in Thornburg.  The couple moved to the area almost 10 years ago when they purchased 533 Hamilton Road, a spot-on Arts and Crafts bungalow in Thornburg’s historic district. Shortly after, they had a visit from a local historian, who shared some…

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The 412

All Aboard: Restoration of Wilkinsburg Train Station Celebrated With Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

The historic landmark had been abandoned for more than half a century.
Ollie Gratzinger,

PHOTOS BY OLLIE GRATZINGER In 1916, the Wilkinsburg Train Station opened with a three-day celebration and so much fanfare that more than 100,000 people are said to have attended. But when Amtrack discontinued service to the city in 1975, the station shut down, marking the end of an era for the once-prosperous city. For half a century, it sat rotting…

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House of the Week, Sponsored Content

House of the Week: Newly Renovated Home on Mount Washington

The home offers panoramic views from Neville Island to Squirrel Hill.
Content Provided by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty,

427 Bailey Avenue, Mount Washington, 15211 Presented by Barbara Baker Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty This unique property has been renovated from top to bottom with absolutely impeccable taste, state-of-the-art amenities, an open floor plan and chic decor. There are approximately 4000 square feet that feature original woodwork, rich moldings, high ceilings, beautiful stained glass windows and three stories…

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This Week in Pgh History

This Week in Pittsburgh History: Pitt Commits to Building the Cathedral of Learning

It would take 11 years for this Pittsburgh landmark to get from groundbreaking to dedication.
Content Provided by The Odd, Mysterious & Fascinating History of Pittsburgh,

PHOTO BY CHUCK BEARD There was a fair amount of skepticism when University of Pittsburgh Chancellor John Bowman suggested building the world’s tallest educational building between Fifth and Forbes Avenue in Oakland early in the 20th Century. With classrooms overflowing from a postwar enrollment boom, Bowman eventually convinced the board of trustees to approve the construction of the 42-story skyscraper…

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House of the Week, Sponsored Content

House of the Week: Custom-Built Home on 13 Wooded Acres

Located in Franklin Park, this five-bedroom home has an appealing modern farmhouse vibe.
Content Provided by Howard Hanna Real Estate Services,

2364 Kuhlview Dr., Franklin Park, PA 15237 Presented by Mary Ann Brettell Howard Hanna Real Estate Services This unique home features an inviting kitchen with granite countertops, hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances and a sun-filled breakfast room with a vaulted ceiling and wood-burning fireplace. The dining room offers gorgeous hardwood floors, an intriguing chandelier and glass doors leading to the covered rear…

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Hot Property

Hot Property: A 3-Acre Estate in Penn Hills That’s “Like a Gift from Heaven”

The 6,100-square-foot executive home is on a private, wooded lot.
Rosa Colucci/Hot Property,

PHOTOS BY PHILIP HENSLER PHOTOGRAPHY It was an ad in the Sunday newspaper that enabled Bob Denove and his wife, Renee, to build the home of their dreams.  “My son was at 5 a.m. hockey practice. I opened the paper and saw the lot for sale,” Denove recalls. “I went home and said, ‘We have to see this today.’” The…

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From the Magazine, HOME + Design

Abandoned Storefront to Home: Cyd Mello’s Renovation Was a Family Affair

The designer partnered with her mother, Weisshouse owner Stacy Weiss, to transform a crumbling Morningside building into an edgy home with a retro vibe.
Rachel Weaver LaBar,

PHOTOS BY STUDIO LITHE When seeking out a new spot to live, some might consider a long-abandoned storefront with no existing kitchen or powder room as a hard pass. Cyd Mello saw it as an exciting opportunity. A designer with Weisshouse in Shadyside, Mello transformed the former Morningside grocery store into a haven, where a mix of vintage finds and…

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House of the Week, Sponsored Content

House of the Week: Luxury Home in Hermitage

This five-bedroom home offers 10,000 square feet of living space.
Content Provided by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty,

4034 Arhaus Drive, Hermitage, PA 16148 Presented by Joanne Bates Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty This gracious home has many high-end finishes from the moment you step foot inside. There is a gourmet kitchen complete with two islands, a Wolf commercial stove, a warming drawer, double ovens, a built-in microwave drawer, a pantry with a glass door and a…

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House of the Week, Sponsored Content

House of the Week: All Brick Colonial in Franklin Park

This spacious home is located just minutes from major highways, dining and shopping.
Content Provided by Howard Hanna Real Estate Services,

1724 Sturbridge Drive, Franklin Park, PA 15143 Presented by Laura Donaldson Howard Hanna Real Estate Services Located in the Sturbridge neighborhood of Franklin Park, this home features four large bedrooms and a bonus loft area. A two-story, grand foyer with marble flooring and a custom staircase greets you.  The living room, family room and den are perfect for entertaining with both gas…

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Hot Property

Hot Property: The Breathtaking View is a Surprise in Greenfield

The vista from the four-bedroom brick home’s back deck stretches from Oakland to the Point.
Rosa Colucci/Hot Property,

PHOTOS BY DARRELL FATALSKY It’s kind of a joke that native Pittsburghers never leave, or always boomerang back home, but it’s actually true — just ask Gretchen Hamm.  A native East Ender who attended Allderdice High School, she left Pittsburgh after school for work on the West Coast. Family connections and a love for the area brought her back to…

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The 412

Pittsburgh Portraits Adorn the Riverwalk Beneath the Fort Duquesne Bridge

The project, called “Black Flowers,” aims to celebrate the beauty and royalty of Black faces.
Ollie Gratzinger,

PHOTOS BY OLLIE GRATZINGER An artist, a wall and 215 cans of spray paint: It’s a recipe for something big. And big is exactly what Camerin “Camo” Nesbit has in mind. Beneath the Fort Duquesne Bridge, his sprawling mural is alive with a rainbow of familiar faces, and even though it’s still a few days away from completion, it’s striking…