Dr. Allen Axelson is preparing to bid farewell to his beloved, nature-infused home, which he designed himself in the 1970s in Upper St. Clair.
Axelson drew from his lifelong admiration of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright to build a contemporary home on seven acres for his growing family.
“I’m a great fan of Wright,” Axelson said of his inspiration in the home’s design. “The dining room is cantilevered and there’s a weight on the other side with a steel beam and it’s never wiggled a bit, even with 20 or more people there.”
Every floor opens to the outside for maximum access to the surrounding acreage and Axelson was involved in every aspect of the construction process that took about eight months in 1974.
“I did some of the work. I’ve been building since I was a kid,” said Axelson, originally of Youngstown, Ohio.
Farm roots
The land was first settled on by owner James Morrow, an Irish immigrant born in 1755, who came to Upper St. Clair with his first wife, Sarah Hanna, and named their farm Millgrove, according to information provided by the Historical Society of Upper St. Clair.
Many of the township’s dirt roads were built during the 1800s and named after area farmers.
“A rusty old sign on an overgrown lot in 1973 caught my eye and we needed a bigger house. We had three children,” Axelson said.
Living on the land that was settled by Revolutionary War Captain James Morrow holds special meaning for Axelson, an Air Force veteran.
“This is a real piece of history,” Axelson said. “I designed the home so that it fit into the property. I kept an oak tree and it dominates the property and anchors the back yard.”
An original barn foundation, spring house and a rotting corn crib were a few remaining remnants of the Morrow Farm is believed to have had orchards and possibly cattle, Axelson said.
Just about every room in the home blends nature with modern design and floor-to-ceiling windows provide abundant light and wildlife viewing opportunities.
The home, located at 2370 Morrow Road, is listed for $1.5 million by real estate husband and wife team Marshall and Sandy Goldstein of Keller Williams.
The home sits on five acres (two acres were previously subdivided for his two adult daughters) that includes a bridge spanning a stream near three small waterfalls.
The home is being sold because Axelson and his wife are downsizing.
Sandy Goldstein has sold homes for 38 years and said snagging a home with five acres in the township is a huge plus for potential buyers.
“It’s different. Every room has a view,” she said. “It’s like you don’t even know you’re in Upper St. Clair. It’s secluded and it’s uncommon to have this much land here; most of the plans are cookie-cutter and don’t offer acreage.”
The waterfalls are a favorite area of the property for Axelson.
“I like to go down after it rains because it’s really nice,” said Axelson, a former Boy Scout and nature enthusiast who grew up camping.
Axelson has enjoyed building since he was a youngster, but ultimately pursued a medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh and still works as a psychiatrist.
“My father was a physician and my grandfather was a cabinetmaker. My best friend’s family had a construction company. I still have a couple of my grandfather’s tools,” he said.
Resort-style features
At one end of the home is an attached, enclosed heated pool with a retractable roof and, nearby, a hot tub.
“It can be snowy outside and have 90°F water inside,” Axelson said.
Other amenities include two gas fireplaces, solar roof panels, a game room, expansive deck space, an office, library area and outside bathroom for swimmers.
Two separate heated garages include EV charging capabilities and room for five vehicles in total.
Inside the 3,700 square foot residence, every room has a view and warm wood, earth tones blend with stone.
The open kitchen has quartz counters, an island and stainless steel appliances.
The grounds are professionally maintained by landscapers.
“I’ve had turkeys peck on the windows and deer in the yard,” Axelson said. “It’s gonna be tough when it sells because I know every inch of the house.”
Axelson is hopeful the next owner of the home, once scouted as a possible shooting location for a feature film, will enjoy living among the trees and nature as much as he has.
“I really hope a family buys it because we have four bedrooms, a guest room and bathrooms anywhere you need them,” Axelson said.
