By Anna Yoder | Columnist

Most first timers who visit Pittsburgh’s Northside via North Avenue can’t help but marvel at two of the Northside’s historic and magnificent homes which incidentally are also bed and breakfasts: The Inn on the Mexican War Streets (The Inn) and The Historic Day House. Part 1 will feature The Inn and next month, Part 2 will feature The Historic Day House.

There was little going on in Pittsburgh that snowy January 2014 weekend, so my husband and I decided it might be the perfect time to schedule a relaxing stay on the Northside. We heard about The Inn from a friend and called to book a room. Co-owner and innkeeper Jeff Stasko suggested we reserve the “Mr. Boggs’ room” which he called the “best room at the Inn.” Other than it being located on the Northside, we knew little about The Inn.

Arriving on North Avenue, my husband and I were in awe at the sight of the striking stone mansion with its stained-glass windows and impressive porch (“designed for a castle” according to Jeff); yet there was more to come. In the imposing entryway sat a burgundy velvet circle banquette settee where Jeff warmly greeted us. A grand spiral staircase descended from the second floor to the entryway which was extra wide to accommodate the large hoop dresses worn by the lady of the house during the late 1800’s. (I was expecting Scarlett O’Hara to saunter down the staircase any minute!). A combination of barley and plain balusters added dimension and interest to the staircase which ascended to the eight guest rooms. At the top of the second floor, a framed rare antique Japanese ceremonial wedding robe adorned with 22 kt gold thread was on display. Mr. Bogg’s “room” located to the left of the robe, was more like a suite with its plush king-size bed, gorgeous antique desk, full length mirror (a masterpiece given that the ceilings are 12 foot high!), sitting area, decorative fireplace, dressing area, and a bathroom decked out in black marble. The view from our window was like winter magic: a beautiful park filled with snow covered trees highlighted by Lake Elizabeth and a breathtaking view of the Pittsburgh skyline in the distance. I felt like a queen!

As it turns out, The Inn — a 9,000 square foot stone Romanesque Revival style mansion and carriage house — have been part of the Northside landscape since 2000 offering eight well-appointed guest rooms each bearing a name linked to its former owner, Russell H. Boggs. The structure itself has been there since 1888. Boggs, along with his business partner Henry Buhl, owned the famous Northside department store Boggs and Buhl. Since the Boggs’ ownership, a lot has happened to restore this mansion to its original state. That is where its current owners and innkeepers, Jeff and his husband Karl Kargle, come in.

Culinary arts and special education teachers commuting between the North and South Hills, Jeff and Karl decided to explore a locale that would shorten their commute. One day after work, Jeff explored the Northside and found a home on Buena Vista Street. Jeff purchased it for $100 and told Karl he would fix it up for them to live in and alleviate their commute. That was in 1980 when their Northside journey began.

Jeff and Karl would continue to purchase and renovate properties over the next several years until in 1998, when Jeff and Karl bought what was known as the “Boggs Mansion.” Yet this mansion had seen better times. The dilapidated mansion’s exterior cut stone was heavily encrusted and “pitch black,” the first floor had collapsed into the basement, water had poured inside, and termites worked their way up to the roof. It was the keen eyes of Jeff and Karl to envision how the mansion could be restored to its former beauty. The front room or parlor boasts two exquisite Austrian crystal chandeliers (two of the eighteen that grace this home), a grand piano, decorative original fireplace, and period furniture. It’s where guests can relax and enjoy the ambience of this home. A one-of-a-kind original fireplace composed of “blood marble” — a rare marble used for tombs of kings, pharaohs, and other royalty — graces the foyer. It is worthy to note that the “blood marble” has been completely quarried and can no longer be found in nature. The fireplace is one of the true gems of this historic home.

The Inn owners Stasko and Kargle stand at the R.H. Boggs Library Bar, where the pair serve breakfast. Photo by Anna Yoder

Time and time again prior to moving to the Northside, my husband and I continued to stay at The Inn and slept in each guest room (and kept cycling through them.) Each guest room is generously sized, exceptionally appointed, and has a private luxuriously decorated bathroom with all the modern amenities. Most guest rooms also have sitting areas and/or decorative fireplaces. The romantic Mrs. Bogg’s room overlooks The Inn’s courtyard gardens and features an incredibly comfy “elevated” four poster kingsize bed (accompanied by a step stool for easier access) and a “fainting” couch. In addition to a “raised” living room area and fireplace, the Executive Suite comes with a full kitchen! For guests needing two queen beds, there’s Emma’s room, which has a separate dressing room, decorative fireplace and refrigerator. My husband’s favorite is the Red Room, which is an intimate “darkened quiet room” featuring a queen-size four poster canopied bed and ornate furnishings with “an oriental flare” decorated in what else… striking deep red. However, it is the warm and welcoming innkeepers Jeff and Karl who kept us coming back to The Inn. Jeff and Karl are “hands on” innkeepers and very knowledgeable about the area and can recommend to their guests the best Northside (and Pittsburgh) attractions to see and what restaurants and museums to enjoy. Combined with Jeff’s attention to detail and Karl’s outgoing personality, these innkeepers simply go beyond to make you feel welcomed and your stay comfortable. Besides the gracious “Pittsburgh hospitality,” each stay also comes with a yummy, expanded continental breakfast. The breakfast includes fresh waffles, seasonal fruit, yogurt, pastries, eggs, juice, and freshly brewed coffee (or tea) all served in my favorite room – the R.H. Boggs Library Bar. The Library Bar is a cozy room filled with beautiful glassware, a breakfast bar, and rich maroon colored banquette seating that makes you feel as if you are in a secret, authentic speakeasy (without the alcohol). The space was originally an office of the original owner and a “men’s only’’ smoking room.

Once you have seen The Inn, it’s no surprise that in 2004, Jeff and Karl received a Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Award from the “Preservation Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission” for their restoration work on this mansion.

And if the restoration of the mansion is not enough, situated at the other end of the courtyard complete with an incredible working fountain is the restored carriage house. The carriage house boasts American chestnut ceiling beams and woodwork — priceless due to the endangerment of the American chestnut tree. It is here that in addition to running the bed and breakfast, Jeff and Karl also ran a successful fine dining restaurant called Acanthus offering a “seven course prix fixe” dining experience. The Acanthus restaurant opened in 2007 where “suits, ties, and cocktail dresses” were required and according to Jeff, had “a three-month waiting list” for dinner. Fancy cocktails were served in The Inn’s Library Bar prior to dinner seating in the Acanthus. A customer favorite was the “Amuse Bouche” aka the “Acanthus Pierogi” consisting of whipped Yukon gold potatoes and caramelized onions between crispy sour cream pasta rounds with sage beurre blanc. Sadly, preparing forty-eight meals a night along with running The Inn was a bit “too much work” for this dynamic duo; so, Jeff and Karl closed the Acanthus in 2008.

Although they have retired from teaching and The Inn is on the housing market, they are not ready to retire from the hospitality industry. To this day, Jeff and Karl are individuals who like to keep busy.. and I mean really busy. What’s next on their list is the on-going construction of a massive 36,000 square foot mountain resort lodge in West Virginia on hundreds of acres with a plan for 16 bedrooms, a ball room, event space, kitchen, stage, bars and much more!

Although it is still in the building stages, you can see their vision for this incredible mountain property. I asked Jeff how he and Karl plan to use the mountain lodge and his reply was “if you build it, they will come.” Jeff acknowledges that The Inn may always be referred to as the “Bogg’s Mansion” and that they will be remembered as its “caretakers and owners.” However, the West Virginia estate and lodge will be “their very own” and a legacy which Jeff hopes will be lovingly referred to as “Jeff and Karl’s place on earth.”

Many people ask me is “Is the Inn still open for guests?” The answer is a resounding YES! You may book a room by calling The Inn directly at (412) 231-6544 and most likely Jeff or Karl will be the individuals to take your reservation. This time of year, The Inn is also decked out in stunning Holiday decorations. So, book your stay at The Inn and feel like a queen (or king) for the day! Insider tip: For your sweet tooth, delicious homemade chocolate chip cookies prepared by Jeff are most always available in the dining room.

The Inn on the Mexican War Streets is located at 604 W. North Ave.