PHOTOS BY PREP SOLUTIONS

When stepping through the front door of 140 Bigham Street on Mount Washington, a few details stand out immediately; century-old leaded glass and intricate millwork honor the age of the grand home, while funky fixtures, a custom cut-glass railing and a high-contrast, black-and-white paint job firmly bring the house into the 21st century. 

That juxtaposition was intentional, says owner David Allen of Building Greatness LLC.

“This renovation project was carefully planned to transform the space into modern living with respect to the home’s heritage,” he says. “We set out to preserve the original architectural features. Every effort was made to salvage the historic charm while introducing top-of-the-line, modern amenities.” 

Allen worked with close friend and designer Cinque Cerra-Saunders, host of A&E’s series “Living Smaller,” to give the house its eclectic style The property is now listed for $849,000.

During the renovation, the team restored massive wooden pocket doors, original moldings and both stained- and leaded-glass windows. Realtor Sarah Madia of RE/MAX sells a lot of high-end homes in Pittsburgh, but says this renovation stands out from the rest. 

“This home is so different from anything I have seen on the market,” she says. “The original character of the home is fully retained, while feeling completely modern.” 

She’s also captivated by the property’s flow. The owners retained the first floor’s original layout, which consists of a foyer, living room, dining room and kitchen; the classic floor plan is what gives this American Foursquare-style home its name. Despite the intentional lack of an open floor plan, the design choices make it feel cohesive. 

“The home has so much space to entertain,” says Madia. “It’s a wow house.” 

The kitchen’s white cabinetry has ample storage, including a prep area with a wine fridge that’s adjacent to the main kitchen space. White marble countertops with a waterfall edge feel modern, while the original rear service stairs and hand-stained, three-quarter-inch wood remind visitors this house has a history. Stainless-steel appliances, an eating area and contemporary light fixtures round out the space. 

Upstairs, Allen says the primary suite, featuring a spacious dressing room and a luxurious shower, is one of his favorite retreats.  

“A private water closet is rare in homes of this age, and the arched entry to the rainfall shower with a wall of body jets surrounds you for a spa-like retreat,” he says. 

The home has two more full bathrooms and two half bathrooms, as well as an additional three bedrooms. Laundry is located on the second floor and there’s a finished basement that could easily serve as a game room, media room or home office. 

Another rarity for a city lot, the home has a flat backyard, plus a detached, single-stall garage. Parking is available for three more vehicles in the driveway — perfect for homeowners who love to entertain. 

“It’s so rare to have a spacious, flat yard in the city,” says Madia. “This is one area that a buyer could really customize further. They could turn it into an urban retreat with more trees, and maybe even a water feature.” 

Allen also describes the home’s location as a gem. 

“The neighborhood is vibrant and walkable, and you’re less than a block away from Grandview Avenue, which is the most iconic view you’ll find in Pittsburgh,” he says. “The area is uplifting and awe-inspiring; filled with green spaces.” 

Madia says a local priest recently stopped by, sharing that he had lived there when the house once belonged to the Diocese. Before he left, the priest expressed delight at the loving updates the grand old home received, according to Madia.  

“The seller really spent time curating the finishes in every room of the house,” she adds. “It’s really special.” 

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: Mount Washington
Population: 8,592
Planes, Trains, & Automobiles: Few places in Pittsburgh are as centrally located as Mount Washington. A quick trip down the hill provides access to all of the city’s major arteries, and both inclines run directly from Grandview Avenue to parts of Station Square (the Duquesne Incline descends farther up the Mon River toward the Point at 1197 W. Carson St.). Several bus routes through the region and a walkable business district with a grocery store mean residents of Mount Washington do not necessarily need a car.
Schools: Pittsburgh Public Schools (pghschools.org)
Neighborhood: Mount Washington has a vibrant, walkable business district with both sit-down and quick service restaurants. Many young professionals call the neighborhood home due to the easy commute and vibrant nightlife, but there are also many families with children in the community. It is ranked as one of the top 10 Pittsburgh neighborhoods to buy a home in, with a strong camaraderie among residents and plentiful green space for recreation. 

Neighborhood data provided by Niche.com