Boston rowhouse showcases three new chic condos

In the early-19th century of Boston, Orange Street, now Washington Street, was the only road from Beacon Hill to Roxbury.

But by 1845, as new roads were built parallel to Washington Street, Tremont Street became a fashionable address, just as it is today.

Joseph Fletcher Paul was a housewright, and by 1855 he had formed a partnership with John J. McNutt, another builder. Ten years later he lived at 588 Tremont St. and owned Bay State Moulding Mills, while McNutt, who lived at 599 Tremont St., owned Novelty Woodworks.

Both men showcased their craftsmanship in their own homes, according to John Neale of Sprogis & Neale Real Estate who also is a South End historian.

Neale is marketing 588 Tremont St., which David Goldman and Dennis Kanin of New Boston Ventures are redeveloping as three outstanding duplexes, listed between $1.495 million and $1.645 million. Josh Slater of Studio 3.0 of the Back Bay is the architect.

The building at 588 Tremont is more elaborate than its neighbors, and eyebrow moldings above the glass insets in the double doors and a large transom give a hint, as are the quoins, the bracketed cornice and a mansard roof.

Many of the ornate period details of the woodwork are evident in Unit 2, which is listed at $1.595 million. Unit 1, listed at $1.495 million, and Unit 3, offered at $1.645 million, feature high ceilings like those in Unit 2 but have contemporary finishes.

Unit 1 has a private entrance below the stoop, and opens into a foyer with two closets – one for coats and one for linens – on the left and on the right a large bedroom.

The hall continues, passing a full ceramic-tiled bath, and concluding with two more bedrooms. The larger one is the master and has a pair of French doors that open onto a small balcony.

The steps to the handsome double entry door have been refurbished.

This bedroom also features a huge walk-in closet and a master bath with two sinks set into the vanity and a large shower. The flooring is a textured limestone, and the lovely tile work, which measures 24 by 24 inches, is ceramic but looks like statuary marble.

The garden level is completely open. The living room is located at the back of the unit, and French doors open onto a terraced yard with a southwest view and looks onto Upton Street. This room has a gas fireplace.

A large center island of light brown Celador holds a large sink and dishwasher; it has room for seating for three. High-end Thermador appliances include a gas cooktop, an oven and a convection microwave. The refrigerator has French doors and a bottom freezer.

Off the kitchen are a powder room and a laundry room with hookups for a side-by-side washer and dryer. The old coal bin at the front is now a storage room that could be a wine cellar.

Units 2 and 3 are accessed via the main entrance. To the right of the entry hall are huge double doors that originally would have opened into a reception area but most likely will be kept closed.

Straight ahead is a single entry door with the same beautiful woodwork –Cuban mahogany, burled maple and ebonized trim.

A gas fireplace and an open living space are indicative of the design of Unit 3. This image is from another development by New Boston Ventures.

The adjacent staircase to Unit 3 boasts a fancy newel post and balusters with ebonized details.

Inside Unit 2, a powder room is tucked away next to a coat closet. The main living space at the front of the home has a gas fireplace with the original Carrara marble mantelpiece. The 12-foot-high ceiling has crown molding, and the three bay windows include pocket shutters and the original hinges.

Beyond the living room is a dining area with another gas fireplace, with a Victorian mantelpiece that is one of the most ornate in the South End, says Neale. An alcove at the back framed by Corinthian columns has a door that opens onto an expansive 9-foot-deep deck with water, electric and gas service.

He describes the woodwork here as “Renaissance Revival” with heavily carved mahogany, burled maple and ebony.

Not to distract from the original details, the kitchen features warm, dark cabinetry to complement, not compete against, the woodwork. Like Unit 1, the appliances are Thermador, but the counters are white polished Celador.

The upper level features two bedrooms at the front of the house with original wood paneling and a shared bath with a combination shower/tub. Next to the bath are a closet and a laundry closet for a stacked washer/dryer.

The master bedroom suite has a grand walk-in closet and a spacious en suite master bath with a walk-in shower with a bench, a rain showerhead, a regular showerhead and a hand spray. Robern mirrored cabinets include electrical outlets inside them.

Unit 3 is the penthouse, and there is a coat closet on the entry level and a flight of stairs to the main living space. A contemporary gas fireplace is in the living room, and a huge center island, topped with wood, dominates the kitchen. Taupe-colored stone comprises the counters that occupy two sides of the kitchen, and the sink in front of a window looks out to an 18-foot-wide deck. French doors give access to this outdoor space, and next to them is a powder room.

The top floor has two large bedrooms at the front, and a master bedroom suite similar to that in Unit 2. Other niceties are the skylights in the master bath and above the stairs to a mahogany roof deck. A laundry closet for a stacked washer/dryer is next to the stairs.

White oak flooring is used throughout all three duplexes (except for the baths, which have radiant heat), and wiring for a Sonos sound system has been installed in the bedrooms, living rooms and master bath in every unit.

DETAILS

Address: 588 Tremont St., South End

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

Unit 1: 2,097 square feet, $1.495 million. Condo fee: $342 per month

Unit 2: 1,810 square feet, $1.595 million. Condo fee: $365 per month

Unit 3: 2,063 square feet, $1.645 million. Condo fee: $365 per month

Age: Circa 1865; 2011-2012

Taxes: To be determined

Close by: South End and Back Bay restaurants and shopping; Boston Center for the Arts; South End Branch Library; easy walk to Copley Square, Park Square and the Theater district; near MBTA’s Orange Line, commuter rail and Amtrak at Back Bay station; easy access to Routes 93 and 90.

Contact: John Neale or Brad Sprogis, Sprogis & Neale Real Estate, 679 Tremont St. Boston, MA 02118. Phone: 617-262-1504.

Website: www.sprogisneale.com