Former HGTV star Leanne Ford to develop short-term rental facility at old Sewickley flower shop

Celebrity interior designer-turned-Sewickley business owner Leanne Ford plans to expand her reach in the borough by transforming a former flower shop into an Airbnb.

The building is a 2,170-square-foot, three-story Victorian-style structure at 524 Locust Place.

It was bought for $665,000 in July 2024 by Axel LLC, according to online real estate records.

According to borough zoning and building officer Joe Motznik, the building was last used as a floral shop called Cuttings Flower & Garden Market, which closed at least three years ago.

Ford’s proposed new design will feature a 1,049-square-foot lobby on the first floor not available to the general public, an 801-square-foot residential rental unit on the second floor, and the third floor will accommodate portions of the home’s mechanical and utility systems. The building also has a front porch and a back patio.

The short-term rental is a shift from her previous plans to open a restaurant at the site.

Those plans appeared to have been moving forward after a proposal cleared a hurdle Nov. 5 when the Sewickley Zoning Board unanimously approved a zoning variance request of a 40-foot loading space.

Ford said plans changed this year after further review of the potential reconstruction determined a residential use would be least invasive and preserve more of the building’s original parts and design.

“We were looking for a way to add some vibrancy to this town,” Ford said on Sept. 11. “We wanted to create something special for the town while respecting the history and the beauty of this building. This was the best solution to keep the building intact.

“I also want to thank Joe (Motznik) at the borough for being patient with me as we talked through so many options to get to what was best for this space and building. He didn’t give up on my vision.”

The building’s original staircase, fireplace and most of the original woodworking is in place.

Ford had renovation shows on HGTV, including “Restored by the Fords” and “Home Again with the Fords.”

Ford relocated from Los Angeles to Pittsburgh five years ago and is originally from Upper St. Clair.

She and her clothing mogul husband, Erik Ford, own Buck Mason, a luxury casual clothing store that opened last year along Beaver Street in Sewickley.

Her dream of having a short-term rental property moved one step closer this month. The borough classifies short-term rentals as residential spaces used for less than 30 days.

Council had a public hearing to discuss the project on Sept. 9 and voted 7-1 in favor of Ford’s mixed-use application.

Councilman Tom Rostek dissented.

Not recommended

Sewickley’s planning commission earlier this year recommended denying Ford’s application.

The property is in a C-1 commercial zoning district.

Rostek said the commissioners did not see the proposed lobby as a “true lobby” and more of an extension of a residential use, which is not permitted on the first floor of a building in that district.

“There will be one entrance to the structure,” Rostek said. “There will be one tenant that has access to the entire structure. We really don’t see this, with a single unit, being truly to the nature of a lobby.

“Our concern is that if we do allow this as an end run to allow residential on the first floor in our commercial district, we would see this then start to propagate through the commercial district.

“Instead of having retail, restaurants, etc., on the first floor, we’d end up with a lot of residential on the first floor by people getting more and more creative with this concept of a lobby.”

Rostek said he voted against the project based on the planning commission’s decision.

Council Vice President Julie Barnes said she normally goes along with planning commission decisions but found Ford’s project to be an exception.

“I think in this particular case, passing this motion may mean saving that building,” Barnes said. “That is why I will be voting for this. In general, I think it’s really important to have retail on the first floor. I would like to encourage all parties involved to do whatever they can to figure out ways to get the public to be able to access that first floor so that it can be enjoyed.”

Council President Cynthia Mullins said the building is not in the Village Overlay section of the borough and sees a “big difference” in allowing a mixed-use with a creative lobby outside that area and in a C-1.

Mullins also expressed joy in the upgrades Ford has already made to the building, including a new paint job.

Ford said she believes the plans submitted are the best use of the property, but would be open to working with the borough to find public uses for the lobby.

“I am thankful that council trusts me with the vision of this gorgeous and historical building,” Ford said. “I love this town and I am excited to continue to try to do my part to bring more to and for Sewickley.”

Next steps

Next steps for the project involve submitting professional design plans and obtaining building permits.

Motznik said he already inspected the building and granted an occupancy permit.

There will be at least two more inspections prior to the space being available to rent.

There is no deadline to submit the plans.

Ford said she is still working on interior designs and does not have an expected opening date.