Tony and Julia Taneja favored road excursions that took them about 4 hours from their house in the northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C.
One particular of people journeys took them by way of Greensburg, exactly where they came upon a stately assets for sale — a a few-story brick edifice near downtown crafted in the early 1900s by industrialist Thomas Lynch, a president of H.C. Frick Coal & Coke Co.
The Tanejas acquired the residence in 2020 from its then-operator, Previous Republic Insurance policy Co., and reworked it into a luxury boutique resort.
With 17 suites and numerous occasion spaces, The Grandeur Estate opened for company in mid-Might.
“We were on the lookout for a project, but Greensburg by itself assisted us make this selection,” Tony Taneja stated. “Greensburg is a lovely put, it has wonderful people, and we favored the geo-
demographical location, shut to Pittsburgh.”
Taneja is a home finance loan banker who previously worked for the exclusive solutions unit of Air India in the couple’s native region. His spouse has prior restaurant practical experience.
They weren’t necessarily on the lookout to get into the resort small business, but they were being wanting for a industrial venture that would make a difference in a certain local community.
Traveling as a result of Western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New Jersey and Delaware, the Tanejas ended up struck by the decrease of numerous previously thriving communities.
“It intrigued me in a disappointing way as to how the most industrialized country in record converted by itself to a investing economy, and the ailment of some of the destinations in West Virginia and Pennsylvania,” Tony Taneja said. “We are not significant people today and our contribution is heading to be, at ideal, a micro-mini droplet in the ocean. But what kind of micro-mini droplet could we lead in a person of these regions that had been harm?
“This full coal belt was likely at 1 time the most significant location in The us, so let’s do a venture wherever we can add to the group and support bring daily life back again to it,” he explained.
Greensburg didn’t have just about anything comparable to The Grandeur Estate, the few noted, but there was significantly work to be carried out in bringing their eyesight to fruition.
Herculean job
“Renovating from an workplace setting up to creating it a home again is a herculean task, in particular when you have to do new electrical, plumbing, HVAC and hearth safety,” Taneja reported. “It was really significantly a comprehensive rehab.”
The renovations retained the mansion’s authentic attributes, together with refinished floors and woodwork, wallpaper, leather-based wall-coverings and attractive plaster do the job.
“We needed to continue to keep the historical aesthetic,” Taneja reported. “We didn’t want to compromise on the finishes or the aesthetics. When we say luxurious, we suggest luxurious.”
The pair preferred to get it suitable not only for prospective attendees, but also for them selves.
“This is not purely a commercial venture, this is our household now way too,” Taneja stated. “We arrived with the frame of mind of this is the best position, this is my city and I appreciate it.”
He proceeds to perform remotely in banking, even though Julia manages the hotel’s day-to-working day operations. She also manufactured the style and design and decorating options.
“She handles this challenge, I am at most effective an assistant,” Taneja stated.
The 38-home, 6,000-square-foot manor was finished in 1907 on 2.5 acres along West Pittsburgh Avenue amongst Seminary and Oakland avenues. Old Republic expanded the home in the 1950s, adding 20,000 sq. toes with an exterior matching the primary pink brick facade.
Existing rooms were being converted to suites, some such as sitting rooms. The bogs activity imported Italian tile. A person on the first floor is handicapped-accessible.
Household furniture and artwork in some of the typical areas and suites arrived from the Tanejas’ former home. They made the decision not to equip the suites with televisions, hoping as a substitute that attendees would mingle in the prevalent spots.
General public event areas include things like a reception region and two dining rooms on the very first flooring. The next flooring capabilities a lounge where breakfast is served, along with a beverage bar, house for distant work and a significant-monitor television.
The addition has been transformed to a ballroom with a potential of 144. Outdoor occasions also can be organized on the huge entrance lawn.
The carriage dwelling at the rear of the assets contains two one particular-bed room residences and one more multipurpose room.
Eleven of the suites are open up for guests, with the other 6 to be completed later in the summertime. The Tanejas are eyeing the addition of a fitness space in a further remaining space.
Info is out there at 724-689-7793 or thegrandeurestate.com.
Shirley McMarlin is a Tribune-Evaluation staff members writer. You can speak to Shirley by e mail at [email protected] or by means of Twitter .