House of the Week — Ligonier Castle

Seven bedrooms, seven baths, a commercial-grade kitchen a wine room and an elevator –– what more could you want?

2397 State Route 381 Ligonier Twp, PA 15658 Presented by Donna Tidwell Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty Ligonier Castle features 39 rooms and 15,000 square feet of living and entertaining space. A stone fireplace with a massive chimney, cleverly designed to be viewed from all three floors. Hundreds of spiral wooden spindles surround the path around the second floor;…

Hot Property: Three Stories of Fun in Sewickley

Located in the heart of the village, the four-bedroom home has undergone extensive renovations — and boasts a unique side yard.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE LISTING AGENCY Krista Joseph and her husband, Edgard, have a joy-filled house. Through the years, they’ve added kids and extended family and still managed to do some really nice renovations — even with little ones running underfoot. Their four-bedroom, two-bath home at 612 Hill St. in the heart of Sewickley is roomy and cute as a…

House of the Week: A Remodeled Farmhouse

Historic charm meets an HGTV-style modern renovation.

8113 State Route 22, New Alexandria, Pa. 15670 Presented by Donna Tidwell Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty This three-bedroom farmhouse was completely renovated in 2020 with the latest upgrades. The home features large, bright living spaces, two original staircases and gleaming, cherry-hardwood floors throughout the entry. French doors open to a formal living room with original hardwood floors that…

Hot Property: A Rare Opportunity in Highland Park

The all-brick building could house two living units — or be returned to its roots as a spacious, single-family home.

PHOTOS COURTESY COLDWELL BANKER REAL ESTATE Jaime Tracktenberg grew up in a multigenerational household at 832 Farragut St. in Highland Park before it was the trendy (or pandemic necessary) thing to do. “My mom and my grandmother bought the house,” she says. “Grandma helped to raise us and my mom worked.”  The setup provided Tracktenberg and her sibling with a…

Hot Property: A Small But Mighty Cape Cod

The tidy two-bedroom brick home in Green Tree isn’t expected to be on the market for long.

Realtor Lu Ryan has lots of good things to say about her new listing at 119 Leon Road in Green Tree. The all-brick Cape Cod is the perfect tiny home for a variety of buyers.  “It really comes down to being a great home for a downsizer or first-time homebuyer,” says Ryan, who is representing the executors of the estate…

Hot Property: A Modernized Lawrenceville Row House

Jeff Cook’s grandparents raised 10 kids in the house next door to the row house, which once belonged to his aunt.

PHOTOS BY 360CAPTURES.COM One of the best things about old Pittsburgh houses is the stories that go with them.  Take 3648 Mintwood St. in Lawrenceville for example. Joel Cook bought the row house, built in 1890, after his aunt asked him to get it back into the family. Aunt Edna and Cook’s mom actually grew up in the home next…

House of the Week: Colonial in South Fayette

This modern, spacious home is just minutes from Interstate 79, several parks and golf courses.

1563 Celebration Circle, South Fayette, PA 15017 Presented by Darla Kay Jobkar Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty Built by Infinity Homes, this modern colonial was the Napa Model at Newbury Highlands. Plenty of windows make the roomy interior open and bright. Located in the South Fayette School District, the home features four bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, a nicely landscaped backyard…

Hot Property: This East End Home is in a Trendy Locale

In her weekly series, Rosa Colucci takes you inside an updated Stick-Style home in close proximity to all of East Liberty’s amenities.

PHOTOS BY MARK HOLEWINSKI When Lisa Donaldson was returning to Pittsburgh in 2013, her wish was to live in the East End, which, at the time, had few houses for sale. For help, she turned to East Liberty Development Inc. One of the homes in its portfolio was 604 N. Saint Clair St., a Stick-Style home built in 1910. Located…

Hot Property: A Classic Tudor Preserved by Love

In the first of a weekly series from Rosa Colucci, Hot Property takes you inside a three-bedroom brick home on Inglewood Drive in Mt. Lebanon that is listed at $728,500.

PHOTOS BY MARK HOLEWINSKI Greg Toto has fond memories of his Mt. Lebanon childhood home. His parents, Joan and George Toto, purchased the classic Tudor at 110 Inglewood Drive when he was 10. While the couple traveled extensively for work, this house was their permanent residence. “My dad was a trained electrical engineer and worked in nuclear energy with Westinghouse,”…

House of the Week: High-Rise Condo on Mount Washington

This two-bedroom unit offers spectacular views of the Pittsburgh skyline.

1 Trimont #650C Mt. Washington, PA 15211 Presented by Brian & Karen Cummings Team Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty What a view! The new owners will have the best views of Point State Park, PNC Park, Heinz Field and many points beyond from atop Mount Washington. There is not a better location for Fourth of July fireworks.  The unit…

How Cam Heyward Will Honor His Father at Monday’s Game

Steelers defensive tackle advocates for cancer research during “My Cause, My Cleats” campaign.

Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward plans to commemorate his father by wearing decorated cleats at Monday’s game against the Washington Football Team. It’s part of a campaign begun in 2016 by the NFL called “My Cause, My Cleats” in which players can represent a chosen organization on custom-designed cleats that are then auctioned off to raise money for the organizations….

House of the Week: Custom-Built in Fox Chapel

This three-bedroom home has plenty of room inside and out.

18 The Trillium, Fox Chapel, PA 15238 Presented by Bunny Wolf & Julie Rost Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty This custom-built single home is located in the gated Trillium neighborhood of Fox Chapel. It was designed by Doug Berryman and built by Montgomery & Rust. A front-to-back wide entry leads to to a covered back deck. The living room…

What’s With the Witches on the Water at North Park?

Spectators on the shore loved it but the ducks appeared a bit confused.

It’s not unusual this time of year to see people dressed as witches or other scary creatures. But it’s a rare sight to see them all on paddleboards and kayaks on the same body of water at the same time. Witches on the Water, sponsored by LLBean employee Nancy Barnes after she saw a similar event in Seattle, was first…

What Lurks in the All-New ScareHouse?

With a new location (and a COVID-19 safety plan), the ScareHouse is open for thrillseekers

PHOTOS COURTESY SCAREHOUSE In the Pittsburgh area, we know perfectly well that a shopping mall can be the site of terror. Monroeville’s claim to fame, after all, is filling its eponymous mall with shambling zombies in George Romero’s classic “Dawn of the Dead.” Nevertheless, it’s a little surprising to face down a house full of ghouls and monsters just across…

How a Former Church Became a Hallowed Home

Remie Ferreira spent three years turning a 165-year-old former church on the South Side into a home with modern amenities, while still retaining its historic character.

PHOTOS BY 360 CAPTURES LLC Shortly after Remie Ferreira listed his home, a 165-year-old former church in the heart of the South Side, for sale near the end of July, it started getting noticed on social media. “I was surprised. It went viral,” he recalls. Upon seeing the red brick building’s striking features, which stand out even in a neighborhood…

House of the Week: Custom-Built Farmhouse

This four-bedroom home is located on 18+ rolling acres in the Fox Chapel School District.

235 Ridgehaven Ln., Indiana Twp, PA 15238 Presented by Julie Rost Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty A covered, bluestone front patio welcomes visitors to this spacious home. The entry features wide plank pine floors. There are 10-foot ceilings throughout the first and second floors. The all-white gourmet kitchen includes stainless appliances, an island, plenty of countertops plus a breakfast…

House of the Week: Historic Farm House and 100+ Acre Tree Farm

This well-known Indiana County business has supplied thousands of Christmas trees to individuals and businesses for over the past 20 years.

24 Findley Rd., Seward, PA 15954 Presented by Michele Haschak | Wendy Kelly Group Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty The fieldstone farmhouse, built in the late 1700s, was originally a stagecoach stop, was eventually expanded for a larger kitchen. The barn has been reinforced to provide a solid structure for machinery, Christmas tree sales, and event gatherings.  The kitchen…

House of the Week: Turn-of-the-Century Estate

This six-bedroom home was built in 1907 for an attorney for the H.J. Heinz Company.

5325 Wilkins Ave., Squirrel Hill, PA 15217 Presented by Julie Rost Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty Enter through stone pillars to find this turn-of-the-century estate set back down a winding driveway. Custom-built in 1907 for an H.J. Heinz Co lawyer, it features seven, six fireplaces and a grand foyer. The home features original woodwork throughout its three floors. Highlights…

House of the Week: Custom Built Home on 47 Acres

The estate includes a four-bedroom home, a barn, a two-bedroom apartment and a three-car garage.

1120 Three Degree Rd., Forward Twp., PA 16002 Presented by Chuck Swidzinski Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty This Butler County estate is located on 47 acres of fenced and level terrain.  The four-bedroom home features a custom eat-in kitchen with a Sub Zero refrigerator and Thermador range with island. The home includes a formal living room and dining room….

Have You Ever Explored The Abandoned Turnpike Tunnels?

Bring a flashlight and a sense of adventure.

SIDLING HILL TUNNEL | PHOTOS BY BRADLEY REED If you think the Pennsylvania Turnpike is a little scary, wait until you see its abandoned tunnels. The tunnels — Sideling Hill and Rays Hill, respectively — were closed in the 1960s in favor of a new route for the highway and travel plaza. The abandoned road that connects these two tunnels…

House of the Week: Two-Story Colonial in The North Hills

The home is minutes from the McKnight Road shopping district and North Park.

1485 Jameson Ct., Allison Park, PA 15101 Presented by Dawn Ross U’Ren Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty This four-bedroom home offers its new owners plenty of room inside and out.   The large kitchen includes two pantries, a long center island and granite countertops.   The kitchen opens the living room and a family/morning room.   A rear deck…

House of the Week: Renovated Three-Story Historic Home in Allegheny West

Built in 1891, the Willock House is a quick walk to parks, universities, Heinz Field and PNC Park.

705 Brighton Road, Allegheny West, PA 15212 Presented by Darla Kay Jobkar Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty This five-bedroom home boasts a flexible floor plan to accommodate a nanny or inlaws suite.     Enter this incredible home from the grand entry to a beautiful 1st-floor living room with an impressive staircase, parlor and dining room with pocket doors….

You Can’t Beat the Views on The Allegheny River Trail

Exploring scenic bike routes less than two hours from Pittsburgh.

My better half and I first discovered the Allegheny River Trail during the socially-distance summer of 2020, and it remains our favorite today. The 30-mile asphalt trail follows on an old railroad line from Franklin in Venango County to Parker in Armstrong County. Aside from one or two minor inclines, the trail is nearly level and it may be tempting…

House of the Week: Custom Contemporary in Gibsonia

This three-bedroom home comes with an indoor swimming pool.

2021 Stillwater Drive, Gibsonia, PA  15044 Presented by Rachel Berlin Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty This custom-designed, contemporary home is located in the Pine-Richland School district.   The home features a private, indoor swimming pool with stone deck and a Jacuzzi.   There is a two-story entry and steps leading upstairs with artisan-crafted iron railing.   The kitchen is…