PHOTOS BY FLYOVER PROPERTIES

IIt was fate that Jan Kielty and her young family stumbled upon 715 Old Mill Road in Fox Chapel over 30 years ago.

She and her late husband had spent months looking for the right place. Their wish list included a rural setting, plenty of space, friendly neighbors and a school they felt comfortable at. Then one day, Kielty’s husband set out on a fateful journey.

“My husband had a motorcycle at the time and as he was zipping around he saw this house with a ‘For Sale’ sign,” Kielty says. “So we arranged to go and see it – and we were instantly hooked.”

The young couple, then parents of a five-year-old son, made an offer that seemed a little too good to be true, but were delighted when it was accepted. Kielty says they knew they were buying a great house, but they had no idea how special the place would become to them.

Built in 1945, the 3,000-square-foot, fieldstone-clad home features warm wood tones, exposed beams and fired clay floors, making it feel both cozy and spacious. Kielty says the sunroom in the back has served several functions over the years – including as her art studio. Her favorite memories of the space are sleeping on a futon and waking up surrounded by sunlight, as well as the views of Campbell’s Lake.

Although the lake is owned by another family who lives on its shores, they promised never to restrict their neighbors’ access. A wide path leads from Kielty’s house to the lakeshore, which is lined with benches.

For years, Keith and Sally Turnbull, who passed away in 2021, enjoyed watching generations of families enjoy their lake; from fishing and ice skating to baptisms for the family church, it became a community gathering place. Kielty says it was Sally’s dying wish that the lake should remain accessible to everyone who lives nearby.

“I kept a little diary of when we first heard the tree frogs every March, and I left that diary to my neighbors,” Kielty says. “The tree frogs signal the end of winter. Sometimes we have an impromptu party on someone’s patio. We drink a glass of wine and toast to spring.”

Now llisted for $750,000 from Christine Healy from RE/MAXThe Kieltys’ home has a large main floor with flexible spaces. Both the kitchen and dining room have fireplaces. There is also a powder room, office, spacious foyer, breakfast nook, den, and this beautiful sunroom. The basement was converted years ago into a bedroom suite for Kielty’s mother and has a ground-level entrance and handicap accessible bathroom.

The second floor has four bedrooms, two with lovely dormer windows, two bathrooms and more closet space than most homes of this age.

Although Kielty sometimes felt like she could never leave this house, she has come to realize that it was the people as much as the building that captured her heart so many years ago. A widow since 2012, she recently decided to move to a smaller house that is still close enough to stop by and chat with neighbors (or toast the spring tree frogs) while another family can enjoy her unique cottage.

Over the years, the Kieltys also replaced a smaller outdoor space with a large deck overlooking the lake. The gardens that surround the house add to the magic, including a stunning full-sun bed in front of the house that’s full of zinnias. Healy says the well-maintained home exudes charm inside and out.

“It stands out for its authentic country-style architecture, from the fieldstone-clad exterior and gable roof to the split-light windows and flower boxes,” she says. “It has a sense of English country atmosphere.”

Although parts of the house still contain older appliances and fixtures, Healy hopes the next owners will prioritize the history and integrity of the property, such as the stone fireplace and large windows overlooking the lake.

The new owners can also enjoy walks in the nearby Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve or along the Eliza Fox Trail Systemor maybe even enjoy the lakeside conversations that Kielty says will always have a place in her heart.

“I’m not exaggerating, the neighbors are simply the best thing about living there. Each and every one of them is the salt of the earth,” she says. “It’s a really vibrant community.”

Meg St-Esprit is a freelance journalist based in Bellevue who covers real estate, lifestyle, education, parenting and travel for various local media outlets including Pittsburgh Magazine, PublicSource, Kidsburgh, Pittsburgh City Paper and City Cast Pittsburgh. Meg offers an inside look at unique and historic homes on the market with Hot Property. Each week, Hot Property looks behind the “For Sale” sign to tell the story of a special home in the Pittsburgh area.

To: Fuchs Chapel
Population: 5,299
Planes, trains and cars: Most Fox Chapel residents have a car. While there are some great trails for recreation, most restaurants and shopping require a car. While there is some public transportation in the community, it is not very well developed and is used primarily by commuters heading downtown. The airport is less than 40 minutes away and the city’s major northern arteries are relatively easy to access.
Schools: Fox Chapel Area School District (fcasd.edu)
neighborhood: The wooded, upscale community is a mix of planned subdivisions and homes in more rural settings. Most residents know their neighbors and enjoy community events such as Halloween parades and festivals. Fox Chapel is home to the Pittsburgh Field Club, which opened in 1882, and the Fox Chapel Golf Club, which opened in 1919. It is close to many shops, restaurants, and entertainment options, including the frequent summer concerts at the Hartwood Acres.

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