Beacon Hill duplex has access to Venetian courtyard

On the Flat of Beacon Hill next to the Union Boat Club, the oldest Boston boat club in continuous operation, is a Neo-Classical mansion at 142 Chestnut St., designed by Henry Forbes Bigelow in 1915 and built for himself.

(Between 1913 and 1915, the MIT-trained architect designed the fourth and fifth floor addition to the Boston Athenaeum.

(Interestingly, an additional floor was inserted into the Bigelow mansion in 1937, about eight years after he died, according to the Mass. Historical Commission.)

The grand home was built on the site of two-story stables. Nearby stables from the same era survive although they have been converted to residences. The Bigelow House was converted to apartments in the late 1930s, which were changed to condominiums in 1981.

Denise Booher of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage has listed one of those condominiums, Unit 2, at $1.175 million.

The first floor of the brick building is faced with limestone, and an arched entry features limestone blocks. Above the recessed door is a large fanlight with ornate grillwork. The second entry door has glass panes with elaborate grates.

The marble lobby has several steps that lead up to the condominiums, but straight ahead are glass doors that open into a stunning Venetian interior courtyard measuring 29 by 25 feet that is an absolute delight.

Flowering pear trees rise from the brick patio, furnished with wrought iron tables and chairs, and against one wall is a pink granite fountain that bubbles.

A dining area has been created in an interior corner of the grand room, which features floor-to-ceiling bookcases.

A hallway off the lobby wraps around the courtyard, and around the first corner is the entrance to Unit 2.

Inside Unit 2 is a large foyer with marble tiles alternating in a black and white pattern, and to the left is a double closet that has been organized with built-ins.

The flooring changes to gleaming oak as you enter the grand living room. Two large casement windows with window boxes look out to Chestnut Street, and against an interior wall is a beautiful wood-burning fireplace with an intricately carved marble mantelpiece.

The ceiling is close to 10 feet high and is rimmed with delicate crown molding. A baby grand piano stands in a corner of the living room, but this space easily could be designated as the dining area.

Instead, a dining table and chairs are placed closer to the kitchen, allowing for a larger entertaining area.

The galley-like kitchen has abundant storage. The custom-built cabinetry has been designed with shelves and drawers for everything. There are even cupboards above the Sub-Zero refrigerator.

The white appliances include a GE electric cooktop and oven, a microwave above the range, and a dishwasher next to the stainless steel sink.

The courtyard features recessed arches and trellises along the walls, planted gardens and two tall pear trees.

The counters are dark granite that contrast nicely with the cabinetry.

Outside the kitchen is a convenient powder room with a pedestal sink and a chair rail.

A staircase with an open balustrade leads to two bedrooms on the lower floor. The master bedroom suite is spacious. Not only does it hold a king-size bed, it also has a sitting area and boasts an en suite marble-tiled bath with a marble-topped vanity and a glass-enclosed shower.

The ceiling height here is about 8 ½ feet, and crown molding surrounds the room.

Between the bath and the bedroom are two large closets on either side of the passageway that have been customized. There is a smaller closet also, just for shoes.

The second bedroom is generously sized and easily accommodates a queen-size bed. The closet is big too.

The windows in the bedrooms include plantation shutters, and outside in the window wells are geraniums that add a touch of greenery.

Near the base of the staircase, which has more storage underneath, is a home office with a built-in desk and shelves. Pocket doors can close off this room.

Opposite the desk is a wall of cherry cabinets that are beautiful and efficient. In one cupboard is a collapsible ironing board, and a drawer below holds the iron. 

Opposite the office is a full marble bath with a combination tub/shower and a marble-topped vanity. Next to it is a stacked Maytag washer/dryer.

At the end of the hall is a second egress, where there is a laundry with a huge washer and dryer available for use by all residents. 

There are storage spaces too; the one belonging to Unit 2 has been systematically organized to hold seasonal or infrequently used items.

Although this home is close to Storrow Drive, it is surprisingly quiet, says Booher. You can hear the birds sing, and in the summer time, you can open the casement windows and listen to the concerts on the Esplanade from the comfort of your home, she adds.

DETAILS

Address: 142 Chestnut St., Unit 2, Beacon Hill

BR/BA: Two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths

Size: 1,505 square feet

Age: 1915; 1937; 1981; 2006

Price: $1.175 million

Taxes: $9,838 (FY 2011 with residential exemption) 

Condo fee: $556 per month

Features of building: Professionally managed eight-unit Neo-Classical building with spacious interior courtyard; elegant marble foyer; hall elevator; large washer/dryer, private storage space.

Features of unit: Elegant garden- and parlor-level duplex with custom-built storage throughout; crown molding, oak floors; open living/dining area; wood-burning fireplace; galley-like kitchen with electric range; powder room on upper level; two large bedrooms on lower level, one with en suite bath, home office with built-ins and in-unit laundry.

Close by: Charles Street with fine shops, gourmet grocery and restaurants; Public Garden and Boston Common; Charles River and Esplanade; Massachusetts State House, Massachusetts General Hospital; Newbury shops and Back Bay fine dining; cultural attractions, including Theater District, Copley Square; easy access to MBTA Red Line and Charles/MGH Station or Green Line at Arlington Street station.

Contact: Denise Booher, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, 137 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116. Phones: 617-266-4430 (office), 617-796-5604 (voice mail) or 617-448-8438 (cell).

Website: www.nemoves.com

An open house will be held at this property Tuesday, Aug. 2, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

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A parlor- and garden-level duplex at 142 Chestnut St. on the Flat of Beacon Hill, listed at $1.175 million, has an elegant living room with a marble fireplace.

COURTESY PHOTO / VIS-HOME INC.

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A dining area has been created in an interior corner of the grand room, which features floor-to-ceiling bookcases.

COURTESY PHOTOS / VIS-HOME INC.

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The courtyard features recessed arches and trellises along the walls, planted gardens and two tall pear trees.

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The master bedroom is large, easily accommodating a sitting area as well as a king-size bed. The marble master bath is en suite.

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The second bedroom has a big, customized closet and crown molding.

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Pocket doors can close off this home office with its custom-built desk, shelves and cabinets.