Joseph Stillburg was hired to design a stately residence for Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Gusky on 5th Avenue in Pittsburgh. Known for his successful department store and philanthropy, J. M. Gusky would not live to see the house finished, which was completed in 1888. Mrs. Gusky would sell the house in 1905.
The house is not still standing - In 1942, a crew hired by Andrew Givens Inc. started to dismantle the house which is said to have glass from Belgium, mahogany from Siberia and the Philippines, marble from Italy, and a stained glass Tiffany window. Givens states in an article that the stone from the mansion could build 20 modern (1940s) houses.
A fire in 1943 razed the house once and for all. Courtyard apartments now stand at 5506 5th Avenue.
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