PROUD ON THE HILL

1902 home on Observatory Hill priced under $300,000

Tucked behind tall fir trees on nearly half an acre in Observatory Hill is a proud Victorian with white clapboard, blue trim and a porte-cochère where carriages once pulled up to let their guests stay dry on rainy days.

Thehouse at 3849 Perrysville Ave. has six bedrooms, 3½ baths and some of the prettiest stained-glass windows in this North Side neighborhood. It’s priced at $299,900 (MLS No. 1639124) with Joseph Pegher of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices ( www.thepreferredrealty. or 412-521-5500). The propertyis under contract.

The three-story house, which was built in 1902, sits on 0.45 acres between Perrysville Avenue and Defoe Street. It’s almost as old as Observatory Hill, which was established in 1894 as part of Allegheny City (which later was annexed to the city of Pittsburgh). The area is known for its rolling hills, the woods of Riverview Park and of course, the historic Allegheny Observatory.

Twin pillars separate the entryway and the living room, setting the scene with ornate decorations at the top.

The formal dining room and adjacent living room feature beautiful yet very different fireplaces. The one in the dining room is ornate with a tile hearth, whilethe one in the living room is larger and more imposing, with a dark marble hearthand brass sconces above.

“I’m sure they were originally gas inserts, but most of them are just decorative,”said Pegher, the agent.

The house has its original woodwork, including deep baseboards, crown molding and tall windows, some topped by transoms filled with stained glass.

French doors leading from the front porch contain stained glass depicting pink roses and green leaves while the large stained-glass window on the staircase landing is a charming woodland scene of tall trees with mountains in the background. Some of the stained-glass transoms are dark and moody; others are more like the delicate roses in the entryway.

There is a four-season room, or solarium, off the dining room that leads to the porte-cochère and a large eat-in kitchen with stained woodwork.

There is a gas stove, refrigerator and dishwasher.

The den, a large room with a large gas-insert fireplace, features a crystal chandelier. On the one wall is a built-in cabinet with shelving and a leaded-glass door.

“Perfect for a library,” Pegher said.

When asked what the odd little built-in cabinet was for, he admitted no one seems to know.

“I don’t know what that’s for, but the room has built-bookcases on the other wall and a window seat,” he said.

Since this house is really of another time, you will find a second set of steps originally intended for the servants. The stairs and the butler’s pantry may be of the past, but are extremely useful today.

There are three full bathrooms — two on the second floor and one on the third floor — and a powder room on the first floor. The main family bathroom on the second floor is covered in marble.

The original hardwood floors are in excellent shape and feature inlays of different woods. They seem tobe in surprisingly good shape.

“The second floor has original hardwood floors, while most of the bedrooms are covered with carpeting,” Pegher said. “If the floors are in good shape, the carpeting makes it like a time capsule.”

The third floor has two large rooms whose walls and ceiling follow the wonky lines of the hip-andvalley roof. Since there is a full bathroom on the third floor, it could be a mother-in-law suite, a teenage hideout or a fantastic playroom with a muralin the one room.

One project Pegher hopes someone will take on is the driveway up from Perrysville Avenue.

“Thereis a winding driveway that goes down to Perrysville Avenue that looks like it was made for carriagesto use, all red brick,” he said.

Along with removing the tall pine trees at the front of the house, it would open up the view.

The property assessment is $219,900. Over the last four years, five houses in the 3800 block of Perrysville Avenue have sold for prices ranging from $35,000 in August 2023 to $213,000 in September 2020 (www2.alleghenycounty.us/ RealEstate/).

Pegher noted that the house is under contingency with a buyer.

“They’re really excited to live in it, fix it up and make it spectacular again,” he said.

The house at 3849 Perrysville Ave. in Observatory Hill was built in 1902.

Flyover Properties photos The entryway has stained glass and leads to the living room with a fireplace.

Flyover Properties photos The solarium offers views of the nearly half-acre property and Perrysville Avenue.

The porte-cochère on the side kept visitors in carriages out of the rain a century ago.

The kitchen is large with room for a table.

This second-floor bathroom is covered in marble.