$4.4 million East End property retains century-old charm, grandeur
The 14,000-square-foot residence in Pittsburgh’s East End known as the Kelly House can comfortably accommodate a party of 100 guests or more.
Despite its size, it also has a cozy feel that makes it perfect for family gatherings.
Set on a 1.4-acre lot at 1145 Beechwood Blvd., the grand brick home dating to 1905 is on the market for $4.4 million.
“It’s a meticulously kept home in which all of the original charm has been spectacularly preserved, while still feeling like a modern family home,” said Realtor Nettie Mercer, listing agent for Howard Hanna Home Services.
Since 1996, the property has been home to Ron and Susan Petnuch, along with their nine now-adult children.
“It’s in excellent condition for a house that’s coming up on 120 years old,” Ron Petnuch said. “Somebody who appreciates history and older architecture would love this house.”
Petnuch said there was little for the family to do except clean and paint when they moved in. Over time, they added a three-car garage and updated the kitchen, bathrooms and wine cellar.
The home’s original features include wood and marble flooring; detailed woodwork in oak, mahogany and cherry; leaded glass windows; ornate moldings and pillars; plaster ceilings; pocket doors; numerous built-ins; and 10 fireplaces with Italian tile-work.
It has nine bedrooms, seven full baths, two partial baths and an elevator.
The modern eat-in kitchen is equipped with granite countertops and high-end appliances. The second-floor owner’s suite boasts a sitting room and marble bath, while the third level has its own bedroom suite and laundry facilities.
The finished lower level accommodates a media room, gym and the 1,000-bottle wine cellar.
Set on a knoll above the street and surrounded by mature foliage, the Colonial Revival-style house has the feel of a secluded country estate in the midst of the city. The grounds contain a small waterfall and koi pond.
Happy holidays
The home is filled with happy memories, Petnuch said.
“You can imagine what it’s like at holiday time, with the family and the kids there,” he said, a gathering that now includes 22 grandchildren. “With all the nooks and crannies of an old house, the kids play hide-and-seek in there and they can really get as hidden as they want.”
For entertainment purposes, it also fits the bill.
“We’ve done charity events there,” Petnuch said. “We did one for Fort Ligonier and the (Braddock’s Battlefield History Center) last year. You can bring 100 people in and be very comfortable.”
The house was designed for the family of Samuel Kelly, who was in the pharmaceutical business, by Pittsburgh architectural firm McClure & Spahr. It was constructed by Henry Shenk & Co., best known for construction of the original Carnegie Museum and the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh in Oakland.
The Petnuchs first listed the property for $4.9 million in 2019.
“There wasn’t much going on through the pandemic with places like ours, but we left it on the market anyway,” said Petnuch, who is co-CEO of Fedora Intertech, a Pittsburgh-based business that designs security systems for large buildings, stadiums, airports and college campuses.
Susan Petnuch is a retired doula. The couple also owns a home in Ligonier and is looking to downsize.
“We raised nine children here, so now we look at (the house) and say, ‘Wow, why would we want to continue to be in this big house by ourselves?’” Ron Petnuch said. “It’s a wonderful place to live, it’s a great home for families, but now somebody else should be using this place for a family.”
First-time listing
Following the death of Samuel Kelly and his wife, Margaretta, their daughter, Eleanor, lived in the house.
“She was a woman before her time,” Petnuch said. “She took over the business from her dad in the 1930s, at a time when that just didn’t happen. She was the first woman elder at the Presbyterian church in East Liberty and a contemporary of R.K. Mellon.”
Eleanor Kelly willed the house to her nephew, who then donated it to the Epiphany Association, a theological academy founded in the 1940s by Father Adrian van Kaam as the Institute of Formative Spirituality at Duquesne University.
“The association outgrew it. They needed a bigger space,” Petnuch said. “We found out about it through our mutual involvement with Duquesne, through some of Father Adrian’s board members. We went and looked at it and said, ‘Yes, we’ll take it on.’ ”
This is the first time the property has been publicly listed for sale.
“(The Petnuchs) are really only the third owners, which is unheard of for the property’s age, and is one of the main reasons the property remains so well cared-for and loved,” Mercer said.
“Someone has to appreciate the history and the architecture and then want to love it. That’s what we’ve done,” Petnuch added.
The house has a slate roof, central air and natural gas hot water heat. Howard Hanna lists the annual taxes at $53,905.
For more information or to request a showing, call 412-417-3132 or visit howardhanna.com.
Shirley McMarlin is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Shirley by email at smcmarlin@triblive.com or via Twitter .
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