Developers Robert and Kim Bartolacci are breathing new life into a prominent Indiana Township building approaching its centennial milestone.

A 96-year-old former elementary school along Saxonburg Boulevard will become Principal Place on Saxonburg, housed on two acres and intended as a community-centered commercial hub.

“Our plan is to convert the ADA-unfriendly facility into a highly accessible facility while maintaining its beauty,” said Robert Bartolacci of Fox Chapel.

The project, now under construction, sits not far from Route 910, just across from Dorseyville Middle School and Hartwood Elementary.

The site began its life in 1925 and operated as a primary school for decades. Purchased by a physician in the 1970s, the building was converted for commercial use that included a social service agency, medical lab and dentist office.

The Bartolaccis bought the site in 2019 for $380,000, according to the Allegheny County Real Estate website.

Their intent was to remodel it for health or education-related uses, although all tenants are welcome, Bartolacci said.

At 12,000-square-foot, the building is flush with natural light because of sprawling 9-foot windows that mostly cover the front facade.

The interior boasts 14-foot ceilings, a reversal from its former décor where, as was common in the 1970s, ceilings were lowered and small windows were installed throughout.

“As part of our beautification/restoration, we raised every ceiling back to above the window spaces and installed all new windows,” he said.

Because of covid-19 concerns, air recirculation systems exceed the building code by as much as 300%, Bartolacci said.

An elevator was also installed to provide easier accessibility.

“Previously, entering the building meant having to either go down or up a flight of stairs,” Bartolacci said.

“There was no appropriate way that a person in a wheelchair or with a severe disability would be able to access it.”

Contractors lowered the grade of the entire property by about five feet and added two wide-door entrance vestibules so that the first floor is easy to get to for everyone, Bartolacci said.

They also added near-entrance ADA parking and made the driveways wide enough for van access.

There are 54 parking spaces to accommodate employees and visitors.

Three tenants already have signed on. Notably, all three are female entrepreneurs.

Life in Motion Gym is a physical therapy group which specializes in people with limited access and mobility issues; OR Wellness provides a combination of counseling, education and wellness classes and is scheduled for an October move-in; Aplomb Pilates is scheduled for a November opening.

“It’s quite a synergistic situation for each of them,” Bartolacci said.

He added that tenants will be encouraged to use the campus’ green space however possible for their business, clients and personal well-being. Current tenants have expressed interest in hosting classes on the grounds, where a previous playground/baseball field existed.

Principal Place is the Bartolacci’s second development in the Fox Chapel Area School District.

They also own Indiana Crossing along Dorseyville Road.

“It’s right across the street from Fairview Elementary where my kids all went, and now Principal Place is across from Dorseyville Middle School where my daughter went and son will go next year,” he said.

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