PHOTOS BY DYLAN GENTHNER AT EXPOSURE IT REAL ESTATE MEDIA

When moving from Marseilles, France to the “Paris of Appalachia,” this couple knew they needed a special place to call home next. 

The current owner, who asked to remain anonymous, says when she and her late husband first stepped through the doors of 2 Huston Road in Oakmont in 2015, they were drawn in by the home’s unobstructed views of the Allegheny River. 

“Our home has some cruise ship vibes from the terrace and decks,” she says. “It’s a hidden gem.” 

The three-bedroom, three-bathroom home is now listed for $1.125 million by Debi Platts of Coldwell Banker. While the home’s official location is Oakmont, Platts refers to it as Oceanfront, Pennsylvania. 

Platts is no stranger to selling luxury homes, but says the primary suite in this townhouse stands out from the pack. With wide glass doors that open directly onto the water, there’s not a better morning view in all of Pittsburgh.  

“The spacious suite is serene and luxurious with a glass fireplace, multiple glass doors and windows open to the water, gentle breezes and generous areas to relax and unwind,” she says. 

The ensuite bathroom has a jacuzzi-style tub, glass shower, his-and-her vanities and an oversized walk-in closet. There are two more bedrooms and two additional full bathrooms where you can rinse off after a dip in the river, or from a boat ride, from the home’s private dock. 

On the main level is a gourmet kitchen with contemporary design elements, professional grade appliances and a wine fridge that holds 880 bottles. With a bold geometric design, the staircase is a central feature of the home. 

All of the main living spaces are open and bright, with natural lighting flooding the space. The owner says the light changes both by the season — and by the hour. 

The kitchen opens onto a dining area and a sunken living room with expansive water views. Finishes throughout are high end, simplistic  and modern; they take a backseat to the river vistas rather than competing with it. 

In almost a decade of river life, the owners made many updates to the home, including a newer HVAC, a tankless hot water heater, a built-in gas grill on the main patio and a brand new dock jutting out into the river. 

Beyond the walls of Huston Road, the community won over the owners. They’ve enjoyed Pittsburgh Taco Boys and the iconic Oakmont Bakery, which is within walking distance of the home, as well as the close proximity to Downtown — by land or by boat.

“The ever changing way the natural lighting and river makes it feel like I’m on vacation every day,” the owner says. 

Platts says the home is part of an HOA for the Hulton Northwest community that is committed to maintaining the quality of the housing development for years to come. 

“I have never had a listing with so much to offer in riverside living,” she says.

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.

About: Oakmont
Population:6,734
Planes, Trains & Automobiles: Most residents of Oakmont own a car, though the main business district, which is bisected by a railroad track and manicured walking path, is quaint and walkable. A bus does take residents to Downtown, but overall public transportation is not robust in this area. Residents can drive to Pittsburgh International Airport in under 40 minutes.
Schools: Riverview (rsd.k12.pa.us)
Neighborhood: Oakmont has a charming business district (with that famous bakery) and a small-town feel. Among the collection of local businesses, which range from restaurants to retail shops — and even a boutique theater — are Hoffstot’s Cafe Monaco, The Lot at Edgewater and the Mystery Lovers Bookshop. The community also is home to the historic, top-ranked golf course at Oakmont Country Club, which will host a record 10th U.S. Open in 2025. 

Neighborhood data provided by Niche.