Nestled on over a half acre of mature trees and beautiful landscaping, the 7,000-square-foot mansion in Squirrel Hill is worth a doubletake in its own right.
Built in 1904, the Colonial Revival at 5435 Dunmoyle Street is a classic example of the turn-of-the-century historical homes that Pittsburgh is known for.
Beyond the stained glass, original millwork and marble fireplaces, the home’s deed history reads like a who’s who of Pittsburgh ingenuity. The home was originally constructed by architect William B. Bennett between 1903 and 1904 for Richard H. and Sidney O. Hartje, who purchased the land for $12,500 and paid $25,000 for the construction.
Richard’s father, Augustus Hartje, founded Hartje & Wiley, which, through a series of mergers, eventually became part of American Standard. Today, many classic Pittsburgh Potties still bear a “Standard” or “Standard Sanitary” stamp. The Hartje family, who owned a paper manufacturing company, also was involved in various local business ventures. Notably, Augustus was at the center of a divorce scandal that gripped the nation in 1906, just a year after the Dunmoyle Street home was constructed…