Fox Chapel has many lovely properties, but few can boast that its occupant changed the lives of millions with his pioneering work in medicine.
If you or a loved one have used a CPAP breathing device or had a heart valve replacement or coronary artery bypass surgery, then you have been touched by the work of the late Dr. George J. Magovern, a pioneering heart surgeon and creator of medical devices.
His seven-bedroom house and 20 acres of property at 251 Old Mill Road is on the market for $4.5 million (MLS No. 1042016) with Linda DiBucci of Coldwell Banker Real Estate (412-487-0500 or www.pittsburghmoves.com). The house, which has five full and two half-baths, is open by appointment.
The property is being sold by a principal investor of Hammock Beach Partners LLC who wishes to remain anonymous. It was purchased in two separate parcels:
• 15.86 undeveloped acres (listed as 305 Old Mill Road) that was bought from Dr. Magovern in December 201212-28-2012 for $1.98 million. That parcel’s triangular borders are Old Mill Road, Millview Drive (a dirt road) and a portion of Haverford Road.
• The house and 4 acres that was purchased for $1.26 million in March 2014 after Dr. Magovern passed away.
“I was always intending on waiting on the home and the balance of the 4 acres to make it a 20-acre parcel and restore [the acreage] back to the original home,” the man said. “I thought it would be a good investment.”
The investor said that he appreciated the home and the property.
“It is a wonderful original design and for anyone who values a traditional home with spectacular views and a lot of acreage, it’s a wonderful opportunity.”
The Colonial-style house, built in 1950, has more than 7,000 square feet and is accessed by a long, tree-lined governor’s driveway. The front door opens to an 18- by- 12-foot entry where oak parquet floors meet a grand circular staircase featuring original balustrades and spindles. A large window halfway up the stairs floods the space with light and adds drama.
The formal 26-by-17-foot living room has a gas fireplace and large banks of windows that offer views of the surrounding woods.
The formal dining room measures 18 by 17 feet and has a large picture window at the far end that looks out on the nearly 16-acre wooded parcel.
Dr. Magovern and his wife, Ann, raised six children in the home. Friends warmly spoke of her in various obituaries of being a great supporter of her husband’s work and a tireless worker for the Annual Heart Ball raising millions for heart research.Mrs. Magovern passed away in June 2011. In her obituary, her daughter Frances O’Connor said that Dr. Magovern would sit with his wife at the table diagramming out the next day’s work at the hospital.
The kitchen measures 40 by 14 feet and features a main cooking area at one end. Floor-to-ceiling cabinets are on the left and open cabinets are on the right along with a second sink and dishwasher for entertaining. The entire space opens to a large family room ringed with large windows. Both rooms have a ceramic tile floor.
A 16-by-15-foot den features oak paneling, bookshelves and a fireplace. A large picture window lets the outdoors in. A large sunroom was built in the rear of the home next to the family room.
Two powder rooms are on the first floor. Ms. DiBucci said the home has had two additions, the latter in the late 1960s or early ’70s.
The second floor has six bedrooms ranging in size from 17 by 16 feet to 20 by 15 feet. A large storage closet in the hallway features custom shelving and double doors. The master bath, one of four full bathrooms on the second floor, has pale gray marble walls and floors and a soaking tub. The master bedroom has mauve carpet and a fireplace.
Additional living space includes a 26-by-17-foot recreation room in the lower level with a log-burning fireplace and hardwood floors. A laundry room is also down there.
Living space above the garage includes an apartment with one bedroom, one full bath and a kitchenette.
The larger parcel has a 2015 county assessment of $345,800. The smaller one that includes the house is assessed at $1.19 million (www2.county.allegheny.pa.us RealEstateSearch.aspx). Over the last three years, seven properties have sold on Old Mill Road ranging in price from $290,000 in September 2012 to $1.1 million in July 2011 (www.realstats.net).
There is a three-car attached garage, a large barn and a putting green on the property.
It is 9.5 miles from the center of Downtown via Route 28.
The nearly 16-acre parcel could be subdivided but no more than 15 houses could be built on it, since the borough requires at least 1 acre. The Magoverns bought the larger parcel.
“They bought additional acres from a neighbor to make it the 20 acres it is today,” said the current owner.
Rosa Colucci: 412-263-1634 or rcolucci@post-gazette.com; Twitter @PgRosa_Colucci.
First Published: May 30, 2015, 4:49 a.m.