ONE OF A KIND
Former toy factory transformed into dream home with garage to drive for
When Mike and Beth Zappa heard that an old warehouse was for sale 19 years ago, they thought it would be the perfect place for them, their two children and their cars. (Mr. Zappa races them with his son.)
“We wanted to be close to Downtown and be in a historic neighborhood. We love Allegheny West,” he said.
Though its 13,000 square feet were far from habitable, he’s a former developer and she’s an interior designer. In one year, they turned this North Side nightmare into a one-of-a-kind dream home with three bedrooms, 4½ baths and a garage to drive for.
Now raring to downsize, they have put 917 Brighton Road on the market for $1.5 million (MLS No. 1289434) with Sandy Woncheck of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices (412-782-3700 or www.thepreferredrealty. It is open by appointment.
The building started as the Wolverine toy factory, which made tin toys from the late 1800s to the 1920s. The factory’s owner lived in an adjacent house that burned down. Today, it’s a courtyard. After the toy factory, it was a Packard car dealership,
a diesel locomotive repair shop and finally a warehouse for A-1 Electric Co.
The ground floor has 7,000 square feet of space that includes a 37- by- 34-foot media and family room with twosided fireplace and eight doors leading to the car area (it’s too nice to call a garage).
“The space is fully airconditioned and heated,” Mr. Zappa said. “There is a freight elevator that can hold a car. We installed hardwood floors in there and aluminum checker plate.”
Actually, it’s now a passenger elevator that opens to the second-floor entrance. An industrial staircase with custom railings also leads to the 6,000-square-foot second floor, which is the main living space.
The 19- by 13-foot dining room is swathed in white fabric and lit by a crystal chandelier. Hardwood floors complement exposed brick here and in the 60- by- 40-foot living room. Art deco sconces, mirrored furniture and beefy rolled arms add to the living room’s fun transitional vibe. Lots of seating areas break up the vast space.
The kitchen, which measures 26 by 20 feet, has walls of custom cabinetry, more exposed brick and a large island that seats four. All appliances are stainless steel and the counters are a mix of Corian and Formica.
Other special touches are 12-zone radiant floor heat and 41 custom doors with frosted glass and custom interior lighting. The second floor also includes three bedrooms, each with a bathroom, and ranging in size from 19 by 18 feet to 23 by 14 feet. The master bedroom has a large dressing room and Italian marble fireplace.
Up on the rooftop are more heating units and four commercial HVAC units that are also zoned.
“I seldom used the rooftop units for heat in the 18 years we have been here,” Mr. Zappa said.
The home has a security system and fire sprinkler system. Mrs. Zappa also insisted on sprinklers in her garden.
“There are hundreds of irises, gladiola, fruit trees and a Chinese maple,” she said. “We planted arborvitae as a screen to keep it private.”
The property’s assessed value is $397,600 (www2.county.allegheny. Search.aspx). Over the last three years, seven properties have sold on Brighton Road for prices ranging from $38,000 in October 2013 to $1.2 million in September 2012 (www.realstats.net).
Mr. Zappa said it is a close-knit neighborhood with West Park as the children’s playground.
“There are block parties all of the time and our kids loved growing up here. The location is phenomenal. We watch fireworks from the rooftop deck. It’s a great place to live.”