A GRAND WELCOME
Mansions on Fifth reopens with new menu, furnishings
As you approach the Mansions on Fifth Hotel, it’s clear something has changed.
Flags representing the heritage of the property’s owners fly over a black wrought-iron fence, a new paved driveway and fresh landscaping.
“Before, there was a gravel driveway which turned very muddy when it rained,” said John Graf, CEO of the Priory Hospitality Group.
The group, which owns and operates The Priory on the North Side and is redeveloping the Westinghouse Castle in Wilmerding into a hotel, purchased the luxury boutique hotel (www.mansionsonfifth.com) in Shadyside from Mary Del Brady and Richard Pearson in September 2016. The couple had restored and reinvented the former Willis McCook mansion on Fifth Avenue and adjacent McCookReed house on Amberson into the 22-room Mansions on Fifth.
“We have been doing a lot of behind-the-scenes work with things like the heating and cooling systems,” Mr. Graf said.
One of the biggest changes is a new Cultural Celebrations menu featuring Pittsburgh, Mediterranean and Latin foods. A sample menu included Silver Star hot sausage, grilled pork tenderloin with chimichurri sauce and tropical fruit salsa, pierogies from St. George Ukranian Catholic Church,
grape leaves with tzatziki sauce from the Modern Cafe, and fruit cheese cakes and other desserts from Priory Fine Pastries, all on the North Side.
The Priory Hospitality Group will hold an invitation-only grand re-opening celebration June 28 featuring samplings from the new menu.
The Oak Room bar on the main level is now open to the public as well as hotel guests. It will feature live entertainment every Thursday. When the Oak Room is being used for events, the lower level wine room becomes the bar for hotel guests.
The hotel’s interior has been repainted and all of the woodwork refinished. The hardwood floors and carpets were cleaned, and new furniture was added to brighten the dark paneled lobby. Early in the renovation process, Mr. Graf said they noticed the heat from the sun coming through the hotel’s front windows.
“You could fry an egg on the floor,” he said.
The problem was easily solved by installing shades. “It’s much more pleasant for the guests, and people noticed the difference right away.”
“All the bed linens are new, and we have new furniture for the back patio,” added Adam Frye, senior hotel operations manager.
“It took some time, but overall we are very pleased with the changes,” said Mr. Graf. “It’s a very cool location, andnow it has new energy.”