Richard Silvers grew up admiring the palatial white mansion at 1830 Beechwood Blvd. in Squirrel Hill, never imagining he might live there.

But fate intervened, and when the home came up for sale in 2002, he and his wife, Nancy, took a tour. She loved its location and privacy while he saw it as an opportunity to rescue a home that had seen better days.

"In the beginning, we had two rooms, we slept in the living room and our daughter slept in the kitchen," he said.

Thirteen years later, they have finished its renovation and put it back on the market for $2.2 million (MLS No. 1012639) through Sharon Abelman of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services (412-421-9120 or howardhanna.com).

It has six bedrooms, five full bathrooms and two powder rooms. Its 1.4-acre terraced lot includes a half-size Olympic swimming pool and a two garages, one with room for eight cars and another two-car space.

The house was built in 1920 in Art Deco style and looks like something out of a Hollywood movie. The winding driveway leads to a grand portico two stories tall with a front door embellished by custom ironwork.

Inside, the 26- by 9-foot entry features a solid-oak parquet floor that extends to the formal dining room (22 by 17 feet) and living room (35 by 15 feet). The dining room has a large ceiling medallion and gilded crown molding. In 1968, Lord Louis Mountbatten had dinner here while in town to support Variety Clubs International.

The living room houses a grand piano. Both rooms have hand-carved medallions with historical significance.

"They came from the old Fort Pitt Theater when they tore it down," Mr. Silvers said.

The first floor has many chandeliers, sconces and light fixtures, but they are not original. The original lighting was gone when the couple bought the house, so they spent many weekends looking for appropriate fixtures in Cleveland antique stores.

"I learned a lot about chandeliers," he said, adding that they found pieces with Egyptian crystal, gilding and other appropriate details.

"We found the original chandelier that hung in the breakfast room. The dealer wanted $18,000 for it. It was too expensive for us."

One unique room with a terrazzo floor in a checkerboard pattern, called the Terrazzo Room, was an exterior porch 50-60 years ago.

"I have a photo showing it," he said.

Today, its ornamental plaster ceiling provides a dramatic contrast with modern furnishings.

On the main floor, the 24- by 18-foot den has paneled walls whose grain is matched throughout. The corbels accenting the crown molding and the massive fireplace mantel are hand-carved walnut. A sliding wall lends an air of mystique. It required extensive repairs.

"The room was once the board room of First National Bank and it was brought here many years ago," he said.

The 22- by 12-foot kitchen was redesigned by Maggie Hardy Magerko of 84 Lumber with cherry cabinets and granite counter tops. The 1½-inch-thick marble floor and hammered-steel range hood are original. Appliances include a double wall oven, six-burner gas cooktop, microwave, trash compactor and dishwasher, A separate refrigerator, freezer and pantry are nearby.

The breakfast room is a charming space with a domed ceiling faux-painted with clouds and ornamented with plaster birds.

The second floor features the master suite that includes an 18- by- 14-foot bedroom, 15- by- 6-foot laundry room within a man's closet and a women's dressing room that has a charming bank of closet doors painted with silhouettes of the clothing within. The master bath features a large Roman marble tub surrounded by mirrored walls. The water closet has a TV and a large shower nearby.

The third floor has two full baths, a living room and three bedrooms ranging in size from 15 by 14 feet to 19 by 16 feet.

The lower level is completely finished and has a 1950s-style bathroom, a wine closet and a second laundry room with triple laundry tubs. The billiards room has a circular couch that is 22 feet long. The adjacent art deco bar has three sinks, a black walnut counter top and multiple coolers. Glass block and period neon signs add to its speakeasy charm.

Outside, Mr. Silvers maintains terraced planting beds, a heated driveway, a cascading fountain, a large statue with marble columns and more. All of the landscaping has up-lighting triggered by motion sensors. Plants includes azaleas, hydrangeas, rhododendrons, peonies, large magnolias, tulip poplars and various evergreens. A sprinkling system keeps everything watered.

According to Mr. Silvers, the exterior walls are 13 inches thick. There are two high-efficiency HVAC systems -- one for the lower level and first floor and another for the second and third floors. There is a whole house vacuum, a security system and intercom system that allows for room-to-room communication as well as to all exterior doorways.

The property's 2014 county assessed value is $628,400 (www2.county.allegheny.pa.us/RealEstate/Search.aspx). Over the last three years, 25 properties have sold on Beechwood Boulevard for prices ranging from $13,000 in June 2013 to $1.05 million in July 2013 (www.realstats.net).

The house is open by appointment.

Rosa Colucci: 412-263-1661 or rcolucci@post-gazette.com. On Twitter: @PGRosa_Colucci.

First Published: October 4, 2014, 4:00 a.m.