15-year landscape project priced at $850,000
Jack J. Young wanted to be an architect in high school.
“I didn’t think I was smart enough to pass the exams. I took a lot of classes in drafting and architectural design through the years,” said the retired chemistry teacher.
That interest, knowledge and willingness to work hard have paid off at 335 Red Oak Court in Monroeville, a 6,000-square-foot house on 10 acres of wooded land filled with trails, footbridges, waterfalls, gazebos and even a whimsical outhouse.
“I have been working on it for 15 years,” he said.
So why has he put it on the market for $850,000 (MLS No. 1401645)?
“I feel like this is completed. I need another project. I want to go to Asheville, N.C.,” said Mr. Young, 71.
The property is open by appointment with Giovanni Morgano of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services (www.howardhanna.com or 412-915-4508). To see a video, search the address on www.youtube.com.
The video features a landscape where Mr. Young has planted thousands of shrubs, perennials and flowers. Over three years, he planted more than 2,000 daffodils. He has also divided and planted more than 1,000 ferns along the walking trails amid carpets of wildflowers.
Custom builder Ray Wendler built the house in 1994 from Mr. Young’s drafted plans. It has a cedar-and-stone exterior, three bedrooms, 3½ baths, a home theater and wine cellar.
Ceilings range from 9 feet in the finished basement to 17 feet in the great room. All of the walls and ceilings are plaster, including the basement.
A right turn from the spacious entry leads to the 25-by-24-foot kitchen with maple cabinets, black
granite counter tops and a large island. Stainless-steel appliances include a convection cook top, wall oven and built-in microwave oven. At the far end is a breakfast area nestled into a hexagonal space with lots of windows.
To the right of the entry is the office. The builder left it unfinished so Mr. Young could do it himself. He said having a builder create the details he wanted would have been out of reach on a teacher’s salary.
“I did the judges paneling and the woodworking myself. It is birch with a walnut stain.”
The 28-by-14-foot great room has a floor-to-ceiling wood-burning fireplace faced in stone. Five years ago, ¾-inch-thick maple floors replaced carpet. Other rooms on the first floor include an 18-by-15foot dining room, a powder room and a laundry room.
On the second floor is a large master suite with new floors.
“The whole left half of the house is the master,” Mr. Young said. “I had a deck installed off of it so you can take in the views.”
The master bath has a 12foot vaulted ceiling, two skylights, a double shower and a corner jetted tub. A large window allows a bather to soak and take in the wooded views.
The other two bedrooms each measure about 14 by 13 feet. Both are serviced by a second full bathroom with a double vanity and showertub combination.
The basement offers 2,700 square feet of living space with features that include a wine cellar and tasting room.
“I am a wine maker,” Mr. Young said. “You can make wine in the garage and pump it right into the barrels in the wine cellar. You can convert 2,000 pounds of grapes into 2.5 barrels and age it right in there.”
The basement has another full kitchen, stone fireplace, pool table, bar and dance floor complete with a small stage. The home theater has a professional projection setup and neon marquee. Mr. Young got it from a local grocery store video rentals department.
The basement also has a full bathroom and access to the garage and zoned HVAC system.
“It has three zones, by living level. It heats the home so much more efficiently,” he said.
The property’s Allegheny County assessed value is $332,000 (www2.county.allegheny.pa.us).
The area is part of the Timberland Estates Plan and is close to Miracle Mile stores and restaurants.
“I ride my bike to Target and walk to LA Fitness,” Mr. Young said.
The homeowner is especially proud of his outdoor structures, which include a covered “troll” bridge and an outhouse that looks like something from a Grimm fairy tale. He based it on a photo he found.
“I have one gazebo that is built on a rock. I wanted people to be able to come down and stand in it and look at the gorge.”
Even though the property is very private, you are never alone.
“I have 31 turkeys that live in my yard,” Mr. Young said. “They all know me. The deer also walk the property. There is always something going on out there.”