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North Versailles Housing Plan Would Elevate 'Green' Development
By Sam Spatter A potential $70 million housing development that would offer homeowners accouterments to allow them to remain in their homes as they age will soon be under construction in North Versailles. The development, Longvue at North Versailles, will offer something few local housing complexes offer: a small elevator in each unit. "The elevator will be included in the base price of $189,900 per unit," said Lucy Rooth, head of corporate development and marketing for One Hundred, Ltd., the developer. Called Elevettes, the elevators can handle up to 750 pounds, are wheelchair accessible and have a safety door and safety stop in case electricity is lost in the three-story duplex, she said. "And it will carry a two-year warranty," she added. Two- and four-year warranties will be included on most items in the house. In addition to having wide hallways and doors, each duplex unit will be built green, meeting a 30-percent-plus energy-efficiency rating, said David Lichtenstein, president and chief executive officer. The duplexes will contain central heat and air, security systems by Vector with video viewing of visitors at the front door, an automatic door release operated by the homeowner, fully equipped kitchens and a concierge to handle requests for everything from accepting dry cleaning to obtaining tickets for shows, he said. Each of the system-built duplexes will have a front porch and a rear deck, a two-car integral garage with garage door opener and 20-foot lawns in the front and back. Other amenities include a clubhouse, outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts and walking trails. Pets will be permitted, although the size and number per household might be limited. Each unit will have 2,200 to 2,400 square feet. "Although the amenities will allow homeowners to age in space, we expect to attract not only senior citizens, but young professionals and empty nesters who want to live close to work and family," Lichtenstein said. "What we offer is country club-style living for families who normally would spend about $200,000 for a new home," he said. A monthly condominium fee of $190 is planned to make the complex maintenance free for homeowners. The development will be on a former golf driving range on about 70 acres off Greensburg Pike, about a quarter-mile from the Westinghouse Bridge. A model duplex will be situated along Route 30. The first phase, involving 90 units and priced at about $25 million, may be available starting in May, Rooth said. A second phase would result in 84 more units. Keller Williams Realty has been selected to market the duplexes. Lichtenstein recently gave $75,000 to North Versailles and $187,000 to the East Allegheny School District as advance tax payments under the Tax Increment Financing program for Longvue. Sam Spatter can be reached at sspatter@tribweb.com or 412-320-7843.
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