Your move: 3 properties offering bed, breakfast, biking and beyond

In the latest edition of our “Your move” real estate series, we look beyond Pittsburgh’s residential market to showcase three listings that are zoned for commercial use or have been in the recent past.

From bike tourism to the National Register of Historic Places, these distinctive properties have strong ties to regional history and local community that extend beyond their walls.

Live like Eloise — OK, it’s not NYC’s iconic Plaza Hotel but one of Western PA’s “painted ladies.” How many people can say they live in a home listed on the National Register of Historic Places?

Get the feel of your own private bed and breakfast — without all the work — while living only 40 miles south of Pittsburgh. The 4,015-square-foot home features five bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms — so invite guests often. Known as the Montgomery House, the captivating residence preserves the rich heritage of Victorian architecture and farmsteading in Washington County.

Enthusiastic about its provenance, owner Butch Smith explains that William Porter, who ran a wood planing mill nearby, built the stately structure — the first home in Claysville to include running water — in 1880. Eleven years later, the house was bought by the Montgomery family, who owned it for decades until selling it to the Catholic diocese. 

When the diocese threatened to tear it down in 1989, Kathleen and Terrence McAuliffe bought the property and spent 12 years rehabbing it. Next came Butch and Shirley Smith, who purchased the Victorian in 2007, becoming dedicated caretakers and B&B operators for 15 years.

Imagine The Addams Family’s Second Empire mansion (several movies have even been filmed here) with modern updates. It’s an immersive Victorian experience, with 14-karat gold stenciling, textured Lincrusta wallpapers, ceiling paintings and decorative fireplaces. A floor-to-ceiling stained-glass window illuminates the stairwell landing.

With its grand turret and mansard roof, the home blends Italianate and Queen Anne architectural styles. The elegant parlor and dining room are adorned with enchanting accents, the updated kitchen has a breakfast nook, pantry and tons of counter space, and a vintage organ animates the living room. On the second floor, a wood-paneled bathroom beckons with an antique “rib cage shower” and copper clawfoot tub. The third-floor spa bathroom is a mini getaway right at home.  

“It is very rare to get this unique opportunity to market a historical landmark that goes back to the 1800s,” says agent Juli Barbara, with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. “Mr. Smith is extremely knowledgeable about the property, and has so many interesting stories about the people who have stayed there, or have owned it prior to him.”

The sprawling porch with ornate fretwork and spindles is ideal for people-watching. We can see why this treasured dwelling is often photographed and graces banners in Claysville. The property features a large, flat backyard for entertaining, a carport and a long brick driveway. The period furnishings are negotiable in the sale. 

Near Interstate 70 and I-79, the house is close to shopping, recreation and amenities. The birthplace of Benjamin Franklin Jones of J&L Steel fame, Claysville celebrates its role along the heritage corridor with the annual National Pike Festival.

“This truly is a work of art. A bygone era when everything was made by hand. Touring this home feels like going back in time, but with modern conveniences,” adds Barbara.

A brand-new bonus for this listing is the addition of the 959-square-foot carriage house behind the main home. Listed for $150,000, the two-story Gothic-style property features two bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms.

A prominent architectural jewel that has helped community members make cherished memories is on the market in New Kensington. If you’ve ever felt the urge to own a property with commercial and residential appeal, this local landmark is worth exploring.

The Bloser Mansion has been meticulously restored to highlight its original grandeur within the historic Parnassus neighborhood. The 3,185-square-foot Craftsman blends nostalgic charm with updated amenities for its most recent role as an event venue, restaurant and Airbnb owned by Kelly Corridoni.

The evocative hand-painted murals, restored by local artist Sandy Schantz, depict the world travels of its first owner, E.A. Bloser. A prominent businessman who built the house for his family in 1921, Bloser opened a jewelry business in 1873 along New Kensington’s Fifth Avenue commercial district. The original floors are made from wood Bloser imported from around the globe. 

Adding to the opulence are leaded, beveled and stained-glass windows and original chandeliers. Filled with visual statements at every turn — including coffered ceilings, Art Deco fireplaces, heavy hewn wood archways and Victorian-era embellishments — the home is mentioned in Dennis L. Marsili’s book, “Little Chicago: A History of Organized Crime in New Kensington, Pennsylvania.”

The grand reception foyer is stunning with its double staircase and sculptural adornments. The main floor opens up with a formal dining room and two restrooms. The commercial-grade kitchen is fully equipped. The distinctive sunroom features seating for 75 people, and there is space for tents and lawn seating on the grounds.

Operated as an Airbnb, the house has four sleeping quarters on the upper floors, with work areas, en suite bathrooms and a sitting room. The property also includes a one-bedroom carriage house that could serve as the owner’s residence.

According to the Bloser Facebook page, Corridoni hopes the legacy of the historic property will continue: “We’re seeking individuals who are not only interested in owning this historical gem but also in continuing the tradition of hosting extraordinary events, parties and operating the charming Airbnb nestled within these historic walls.”

A lot is buzzing along the Allegheny River town 18 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. Independent businesses such as Preserving Record Shop and Sweet Alchemy bakery line Fifth Avenue. Community events include the popular Christmas parade, Restaurant Ramble and Fridays On Fifth food truck festival.

If you’re drawn to operating a bed and breakfast surrounded by natural wonders and cultural destinations, look no further. Literally 150 feet from the Great Allegheny Passage, the Connellsville Bed & Breakfast is a popular stop halfway between Pittsburgh and Cumberland. 

Lucille King purchased the 5,000-square-foot B&B in 2008. With support from The Progress Fund, she spearheaded extensive renovations and has operated the popular spot for 14 years. King says the economic impact of the GAP Trail has been a significant boon. Located between mile markers 89 and 88, the B&B is open year-round, and an Amtrak train station is a mere four blocks away.

Updated annually, the charming B&B houses five sleeping quarters — the Irish, Italian, French, German and Slovak rooms — named for the populations who settled in the region. On the third floor is the owner-occupied penthouse, which could become two more sleeping quarters, increasing revenue by 20-30%. A commercial tenant, Salon by Karie, occupies the first-floor storefront, bringing in additional income. 

The first floor also features a large foyer, communal living and dining rooms, a fully equipped kitchen, a powder room and a 950-square-foot office. The relaxing porch is ideal for unwinding after biking, hiking and fishing. There are original red oak and yellow pine floors throughout. The oldest section of the property dates to the 1890s, and updates and additions were completed in the 1920s.

The high season for the B&B runs from the last weekend in April through October. 

“I really like meeting all the different people who come here,” says King.

Guest amenities include a bike storage garage and tool workstation, coin-operated washer and dryer, private bathrooms, smart TVs with Netflix, and Wi-Fi.

And you can’t beat the location. Just down the block, lodgers love visiting Yough Park, Trippy Hippy Brewing, Kickstand Kitchen, O’Donnell’s Pub and Bali Brothers Kitchen, along with boutiques and antique shops. Soon to open is a new location from Atria’s. The turnpike is only 15 miles away, so the B&B makes for a great weekend escape.

“People in Connellsville are very friendly and helpful,” says King. “It has a nice small-town feeling, and there is great healthcare, which is a big plus for this area.”

Beyond the GAP, there’s much to do — from three Frank Lloyd Wright landmarks and the Flight 93 National Memorial to Fort Necessity. The Laurel Highlands is an outdoor recreation mecca, with the Youghiogheny River, Seven Springs and Hidden Valley. Summer events such as Braddock’s Crossing, the Yough River Rally and St. Rita’s Italian Festival abound. 

“Lucy has done all the hard work building the business that people are now going back annually as repeat guests. We are seeking someone interested in maximizing this type of operation to take advantage of her work and expand things as they wish,” says listing agent Bob Dini, with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. “It is common for an owner-operator of this type to stay on during a transitional period to help make a new owner comfortable with the business.”

The B&B — 45 miles from Pittsburgh — states on its website that it’s “committed to sustainability by operating in a socially and environmentally responsible manner.”