INTERIOR PHOTOS BY CHRISTOPHER SPROWLS. EXTERIOR PHOTOS BY BOB HARTLE.

When Harry Vine Homes launched its modular home line in January, owner and CEO Bob Hartle had several goals in mind. 

First, he wanted to create a high-quality prefabricated home for Pittsburgh customers. Secondly, he wanted to explore how prefabricated homes can help alleviate the issue of low housing stock and affordable homes in the region. 

The result is a two-bedroom, one-bathroom home that can be placed on a foundation just about anywhere. 

“This house has everything you need and nothing else,” says Hartle. “Every square foot is thoughtfully and expertly designed, making it feel and live much larger than its footprint.” 

The compact homes cost $150,000 — a price that includes all of the appliances, HVAC units and finishes. The owner will also need to secure and prepare a site for the home.

Hartle himself set up the first Modern Modular house on a piece of property he owns in Moon Township. That home is now under contract to be sold to its new owner, he says. Two more homes are in the process of being set up in Millvale, at 207 and 209 Stanton Ave. The owner plans to rent the homes out, according to Hartle. 

At just over 600 square feet, these prefabricated homes are small, but the well-planned footprint means they’re very functional. 

Entering the home, visitors are greeted with a living area big enough for a full-sized couch and several chairs. A dining table that uses built-in seating along one wall is flanked by a pantry on one side and kitchen counters on the other.

While the kitchen is compact, it has full-sized appliances and as much counter space as many larger homes. Large windows and doors all around bring in plenty of light, making the home feel airy. 

From the main living space, a hallway extends the length of the home. A full bathroom with a shower and laundry is followed by two bedrooms; at 9-by-11 and 8-by-8 square feet, respectively, they fit a full- or queen-sized bed and each feature a roomy closet. At the rear is the primary bedroom, which includes access to an optional back deck. LED recessed lighting and high ceilings add to the spacious feel.

Hartle says Harry Vine Homes hasn’t skimped on finishes, either. Benjamin Moore paint, Andersen windows and high-rated exterior building materials mean these homes will be cost efficient and largely maintenance free for years.

“These factors make for a much tighter and energy efficient building envelope,” Hartle says. “We know exactly what materials are needed to build the house, so there is very little waste compared to site-built houses, and the little that is left over is used on the next house versus being thrown in the dumpster.” 

The company, which is Pittsburgh’s only Pennsylvania State-approved modular home manufacturer, can build one home per month right at its facility in Lawrenceville. 

Hartle adds Harry Vine Homes is focused on private sales as well as working with the city to provide more housing overall. They have begun preliminary talks with the Urban Redevelopment Authority and other local organizations to find out how these tiny homes might best serve Pittsburgh. 

“I’m able to accommodate one-off builds, scattered single-family builds throughout a neighborhood or larger development of many homes in a cluster,” he says. 

The footprint of the homes means that two of them often can fit on the same empty lot, as is the case in Millvale. 

“This house will work well in so many different situations; in-fill city lot, as a country getaway, an accessory dwelling unit [on the same lot as an existing home] or as a rental,” Hartle says. 

Overall, Hartle says the goal is to provide more options for Pittsburghers to call home — even if it’s small.

“The large doors and windows at the front and rear invite the occupant outside, making the exterior almost feel like an extension of the house itself,” he says. “The size encourages the occupant to focus on experiences and making memories rather than material accumulation.”

To tour the Lawrenceville facility or find out more information about Modern Modular, visit here.

Meg St-Esprit is a Bellevue-based freelance journalist who covers real estate, lifestyle, education, parenting and travel for a variety of local outlets including Pittsburgh Magazine, PublicSource, Kidsburgh, Pittsburgh City Paper, and City Cast Pittsburgh. Meg offers Hot Property, 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.