about marvista design + build
Working to Reimagine Home Environments in Pittsburgh
Owners
At Marvista Design + Build, we take a unique, sophisticated approach to the design-build process. Using advanced technology and a whole-team approach, our fully managed process is focused on transforming your ideas into the space of your dreams. We provide start-to-finish, design-build solutions for new construction, redesign, and expansion projects.
From initial consultation through project completion, our experienced team will work closely with you, providing exceptional service and results you’ll love! Check out more details of how our unique process works to see what sets Marvista Design + Build apart from the above competition.
Michael Jacobs is the owner and president of Marvista Design + Build. In addition to bringing his clients’ dreams to life with kitchen and bath remodels, Michael also runs Marvista Rentals, LLC and Marvista Construction, LLC. He actively builds, manages, and renovates homes and apartment buildings in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh.
Before moving to Pennsylvania, Michael spent 25 years in Hollywood as the owner and president of Marvista Entertainment, a leading independent producer and distributor of feature films and family entertainment programming. He has more than 100 executive producer credits for feature films and TV movies made for 21st Century Fox, Walt Disney, Warner Brothers, NBC, Lifetime, and others.
Once he moved to Pittsburgh and started his home building and renovation businesses, Michael realized that Hollywood and real estate have more in common than he first expected. His unique background gives him creative vision and an eye for trends that allow for refreshingly practical yet distinct kitchen and bathroom remodels.
Leah is the Chief Financial Officer of Marvista Design + Build, LLC, Marvista Rentals, LLC and Marvista Construction, LLC.
Along with overseeing Marvista’s Financial Reporting she particularly enjoys streamlining processes and developing internal procedures. This ensures that Marvista’s team is efficient and can focus on what they do best – Design for their clients!
As a retired CPA, Leah’s professional career started at Deloitte and Touche and led her to work in and lead teams in a wide range of industries from healthcare and finance to oil, gas and manufacturing.
While taking a career break and raising her family, she assisted Michael with his endeavors through financial guidance and input on corporate structure to build the suite of Marvista businesses.
Emily
LEAD DESIGNERAs lead designer at Marvista Design + Build, Emily Borne has the unique ability to make her clients’ dreams come true while keeping safety and sustainability in mind. She transforms needs and visions to designs with form and function reflecting her clients’ unique personalities. Emily’s years of experience coupled with her understanding of different fields of design has led to a portfolio of unique kitchens and creative projects that involve ingenuity and vision.
Emily started her design career at a University level by completing a BA in Theatre Arts with a concentration in Set Design. She later received a Certificate in Film Studies from Pittsburgh Filmmakers with a concentration in Production Design.
Emily’s professional career has given her a distinguished design perspective. Running the Design Department at Plantscape introduced Emily to the world of Interiorscaping for commercial projects such as hotels, malls, casinos, and offices. Later, she transitioned to residential design focusing on her passion for kitchen and bath design over the past 17 years.
Lindsay
DESIGNERAs a designer at Marvista Design + Build, Lindsay’s approach to residential design incorporates forward thinking trends. She provides thoughtful solutions for maintaining the architectural integrity of existing spaces while improving the overall lifestyle of her clients through their newly designed dwellings. She has the technical ability to layer lighting layouts and detailed renderings. Her clients appreciate her well-crafted vision.
Lindsay brings over 10 years of interior design experience to the Marvista Design + Build Team.
She received her Masters of Interior Architecture from Chatham University in 2009 and has developed a unique set of skills which are reflective of her design style and understanding of details.
Paul
Project ManagerAs Project Manager, Paul works directly with our valued customers, partnering with the interior designer, architect, and construction specialists to exceed our customer’s highest expectations.
Paul and his team will help you plan and design your custom remodel, dream kitchen, or bath project from start to finish, with the utmost attention to style, quality, detail, and complete customer satisfaction.
Paul’s clients appreciate his level-headedness and transparency while keeping them informed on project details.
Paul brings more than 15 years of experience managing custom home-builds and remodels. He has led the construction of more than 100 new homes, as well as commercial buildings.
His team also specializes in the design and construction of quality additions as well as high caliber kitchens and baths, with work commissioned for some of the finest homes in Pittsburgh and the surrounding region.
Sara
Design Assistant/Assistant Project ManagerAs a design assistant at Marvista, Sara works closely with the designers on drawings and product selection. She also assists the Project Manager with estimating, purchase orders, and scheduling, ensuring a streamlined project execution.
Sara’s creative and detail-oriented personality led her to the career path of Interior Design. She received her Bachelor of Science in Interior Design in 2018 from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Her passion for residential design brought her into the kitchen and bath industry.
Mike
Lead CarpenterMike grew up working on his father’s construction sites. He learned carpentry while working on multimillion-dollar homes in Sewickley and Peters Township. When the family business moved, he moved north and found a home with Marvista Design + Build.
Shannon
Lead CarpenterShannon worked for his father’s construction company in the custom home business for 25 years. He found his passion for finish work along the way. Shannon’s favorite part of the job is taking the design or idea and bringing it to life.
Brandon
CarpenterBrandon brings over 8 years of construction experience to the job. He started with roofing and found a niche for interior remodeling. He enjoys learning new tricks of the trade from the rest of the Marvista team.
Brendan
CarpenterBrendan has been doing remodeling work for over 6 years. For Brendan, seeing the final result and comparing it to the original is his favorite part of the job. It is a rewarding experience to know that he contributed to the job through demolition, setting cabinetry, or hanging trim.
