Located in the heart of the North Side is a historic Victorian neighborhood that Pittsburghers refer to simply as the Mexican War Streets. Dating back to 1848, the streets were plotted by General William Robinson, Jr., following his return from the Mexican-American War.
Using names like Palo Alto, Monterey, Buena Vista, Sherman and Jackson, he patriotically named the streets after battles and commanders of that war. Although much of the land was originally used for livestock, eventually the development of neighborhoods with stately homes would convert the area. By the end of the century, the streets appeared much as they do today, but with the addition of cultural centers, eateries, hospitals and ball parks.
Built in 1894, one house is undergoing some choice renovations by its famed owner, Franco Harris, and his wife Dana. He originally purchased the home in the early 1970s, after being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 22-year-old NFL football player noticed the house while stopped at a red light. Having grown up in New Jersey, he was unfamiliar with the local neighborhoods, but knew he wanted to live close to the stadium. “This particular area was sort of depressed at that time, and I looked over and saw this house that was boarded up,” explains Franco. “Although the place was pretty beat up, it was interesting and had a lot of character, so when I found it was for sale, I bought it.”
In much need of restoration, it would be several years before Franco and Dana moved in. Their son, Franco Dok Harris, was born in 1979 and was raised here for many years.
Franco went on to explain how much the area had to offer, and how Dana would often take Dok to the planetarium, the library, and the park as a child.
The couple would eventually move to Sewickley, where Dok was attending school, but held on to the North Side home and are now planning to move back in this month. “I’ve always felt a good energy here, and this place feels like home to me,” explains Franco. “Dana and I raised our son here, and now at age 30, Dok has recently announced his candidacy for mayor of Pittsburgh,” he says with a smile.
The Harrises have been working with Pittsburgh-based designer, Helen Hoey, on the redesign of their Mexican War Street home. Showcased in the home’s main entertaining room is a pair of goliath-sized chairs from Franco’s newly launched furniture line, appropriately named, The Immaculate Collection.
Inspired by Franco, designed by Hoey, and manufactured by Barclay Butera Home, each chair is custom made to fit an athlete’s body measurements. Every piece of furniture will have the letter “I” featured somewhere in the design. “What I tried to do was bring brand recognition to furniture,” points out Hoey. “Just like when you see a piece of Gucci, you instantly know what you’re looking at.”
Both Franco and Hoey are in sync with the essentials. “We are bringing home quality, and everything has to be the best,” says Franco. “I’m excited about the evolution of it, and hope that it is something that will be around for a long time and become part of the family,” he says. The collection radiates old-world sensuality with an Italian style. Franco and Hoey are partnering with Barclay Butera, and are hoping to expand the line with a new piece each year.
The dining room is minimalist, and every piece tells a story. A Jacobean game table doubles as a bar. Original woodwork surrounds the mahogany dining table, and a sterling silver fish takes center stage. “I like to show how you can use decorative art,” says Hoey. “This fish was intended for caviar, but can be used for flowers or even potato chips,” she adds.
Adorned with silver samovars and crystal goblets, a second bar sits under the window of the living room area, and is always ready for a party. Her objective was to integrate both of the entertaining areas, so that guests would flow from one room to the next.
Spaces were designed holistically. In using the same color palette, furniture is subtly scaled down and doesn’t appear heavy or fussy. “There’s the Immaculate Collection, and then there’s the Immaculate Home,” says Hoey. “I help people to conceptualize their home and bring it to fruition.”
“When I bought it, I didn’t know it would become the historical district that it is now,” Franco says, explaining his appreciation for the Mexican War streets. “In the last 30 years there has been a lot of growth and I want to preserve the history of the area, and the house.”
Dok breezes through the kitchen with his campaign manager. Like his father, the younger Harris is gracious and charismatic. Once Dok is out of earshot, Franco speaks proudly of his son’s perfect SAT scores, Princeton education and law school degree. Both men are looking at exciting game plans. Between the launch of Franco’s Immaculate Collection, and Dok’s run for the mayor’s seat, it’s going to be a very busy season for the Harris family.
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