Beacon Hill condo is bright with many skylights

A venerable historic hall, which once served the original English High School, on the top of Beacon Hill at the corner of Pinckney and Anderson streets was renovated into modern condominiums.

Jeanine Cort of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage is marketing one of these residences, Unit 3B/4A, at 65 Anderson St.

The large duplex occupies the top two floors so when you ascend here, you are really on the pinnacle of Boston, with sweeping views of the Charles River, Cambridge and the rooftops of Beacon Hill – a quaint and storied cityscape.

Yet, with all modern amenities, including a very convenient parking space, this unit is built for the future while honoring the past.

At 2,300 square feet, the duplex is spacious – and feels that way. There are no cramped spaces. Every room has space to stretch, even the closets, of which there are many. You will not pine for storage space in Unit 3B/4A.

Enter the unit at the lower level and you find a spacious, carpeted entry hall with a closet. It makes perfect sense to have the two bedrooms on this level because the views from the upper floor are extra-spectacular.

Still, there is no wanting for atmosphere, with French doors in each bedroom, which let in lots of light and vistas of Beacon Hill.

The master bedroom on the lower level of the Beacon Hill duplex has French doors letting in the light and an en suite bath for convenience.

Because each bedroom is so spacious, it is difficult to discern the master from the other sleeping space.

However, the en suite bath defines the master unit. This is a lovely large bathroom with a frameless glass-enclosed walk-in shower and a stone sink in a wooden vanity unit with bronzed fixtures.

There is a tumbled limestone floor and tiled walls.

The second full bath on this floor is easily accessible from the other bedroom. This bath has a big tub and stone tiles. Inside this bath is the laundry room with a full washer and dryer.

A sitting room separates the bedrooms. This is a comfortable area with a wood-burning fireplace and could easily be used as a home office or even another, very cozy bedroom.

The most striking aspect of this level is the number of closets. There are five.

A patio off the living room provides views to the Charles River.

For the most part, these storage spaces are deep, commodious: fit to hold clothes or luggage or household goods and necessities. There will be no excuse for anything not having its place.

The stairway to the upper level is wide, carpeted, with a winding banister. Ascending to the great room, the most captivating features are the quarter-moon shaped windows framing the fireplace. Go peek out of the portals, and the Charles River is clearly visible.

Open the French door leading to the lattice-lined terrace off the living room, step out on the wooden patio and the river is clearly in sight.

Also within range are the rooftops and aeries of Beacon Hill where the variety of outdoor perches and porches are many and varied.

Peek out of the portals of the quarter-moon shaped windows in the living room, and the Charles River is clearly visible.

The floors of this living area are shining oak. This open concept living area includes many custom built-ins, such as bookshelves lining the walls.

There are five skylights of various dimensions. These windows in the roof invite the light to pour in.

A wood-burning fireplace with a painted wooden mantel is a centerpiece of the space. There is also a formal dining zone, with enough square footage for a large table.

Off the dining area you find an unexpected sitting space – charming and situated right next to the kitchen. There is a granite counter here for informal eating. And perched at the breakfast bar, you can look right into the kitchen.

The kitchen floor is tumbled limestone and the cabinets are cherry; some have glass fronts. The slabs of granite are sand-colored, with bits of brown and red sparklers. The backsplash has scattered artisan tiles.

The Sub-Zero refrigerator has a paneling of cherry so it blends into the custom appointments.

A wine storage room is on the main living floor, offering enough space to store over 150 bottles.

So does the Fisher-Paykel dishwasher, which has two drawers for cleansing dishes. The Wolf stovetop sits over a stainless oven.

Near the kitchen is a paneled room that could easily be converted into a private office. Or it could be kept exactly as it was intended – as a wine storage room with enough racks and shelves for 150 bottles.

In fact, there is an alcove near the kitchen and sitting area that was specifically designed to be an office area, up stairs so it is removed from the trafficked spots.

here is room for a desk and built-on bookshelves as well as a very convenient full bath. 

On this living floor, there are many more closets for storage.

Off the dining area is a granite breakfast bar where you can look right into the kitchen.

There are also many windows and skylights for much light to pour into the condominium as well as views for miles.

From this vantage point on top of Beacon Hill, you can really see forever on a clear day – or, at least, to Cambridge.

DETAILS

Address: 65 Anderson St., Unit 3B/4A, Beacon Hill

BR/BA: Two bedrooms, three baths

Size: 2,300 square feet

Age: 1824; 1987

Price: $1.595 million

Taxes: $17,785 (FY 2011 with residential exemption)

Condo fee: $957 per month.

Parking: One space in parking lot adjacent to building

Features of home: Sprawling duplex with two bedrooms and two full baths on  lower level, plus office/bedroom with wood-burning fireplace; great room upstairs with five skylights, built-in bookshelves; wood-burning fireplace in living room; chef's kitchen with high-end appliances; wine room with storage for 150 bottles; one parking space included.

Close by: Beacon Hill shops and restaurants along Charles Street and Cambridge Street; Whole Foods Market in the Charles River Plaza; the Liberty Hotel with its restaurants, including Clink; Massachusetts General Hospital; Charles River Esplanade; easy access to MBTA Red Line at Charles/MGH station, Green Line at Government Center and Blue Line at Bowdoin station.

Contact: Jeanine Cort, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, 137 Newbury St., Boston MA 02116. Phones: 617-266-4430 (office) or 617-335-2818 (cell).

This property may be seen by appointment.