Boston's South End condo is on a quiet street

Durham Street is a Boston urban revelation because the thoroughfare is in the middle of everything but lies nestled away from the bub in the Hub. This charming block-long way begins at St. Botolph Street and dead ends at Southwest Corridor Park.

The area feels very connected to the South End. Yet, for city parking purposes, official Boston dispenses Back Bay resident stickers.

Along Durham, there are beautiful brick townhouses built in the 1890s to early 20th century. One of these row houses, with a front door under a graceful arch, is 3 Durham, a building of four condominiums. Here, Unit 3, a two-bedroom, two-bath, 1,340-square-foot condo, is for sale for $959,000, listed by Sherry Walker of William Raveis Real Estate.

Located on the second floor after entering the four-unit building, Unit 3 is up one flight of marble stairs. The front door leads into an entryway that opens up to the combination living room and dining room.

This is a large and light space with a bow front window in the living area and a double picture window in the dining area.

Overall, Unit 3 has 17 windows and three exposures, very transparent for a city dwelling.

Glass-front cabinets, quartz/granite counters and stainless steel appliances give the kitchen style.

The living area is also cozy, with crown moldings, wood floors and a wood-burning fireplace with a mahogany mantel. Delft-like tile surrounds the fireplace.

The dining portion of the room is spacious enough for a large table and chairs, with sideboards. The big room really does divvy up nicely. A chandelier further demarcates the dining zone.

The second bedroom is adjacent to the living room. This could also be used as a home office because there are many built-in bookshelves and built-out closets for storage. Painted bright yellow, this is a pleasant room for sleep or work.

A distinctive feature in Unit 3 is the variety of custom cabinets. Built-ins line the bedrooms, hallways and open spaces of the condo. This makes for savvy decoration with a purpose.

In one hall, a contrasting wooden tabletop sits on a row of cabinets.

Glass French doors with a glass transom further lighten the space.

The living room has a wood-burning fireplace with a mahogany mantel and a Delft-like tile surround.

Next to the dining area is the kitchen, with white cabinets, many with glass fronts and under-cabinet lighting. The backsplash is white tiles, sprinkled with charmingly painted insets. 

The quartz counter is off-white, and the appliances are stainless and posh Bosch – French door refrigerator, gas range and dishwasher. The stove has a Gaggenau hood.

In the hallway outside the kitchen is a closet with a side-by-side washer and dryer. A large bathroom adjoins this closet. The bath is commodious and spa-like with double sinks and a deep Jacuzzi tub for two. The countertops are Breccia Damascatta marble from Italy.

The cabinets in this bath are covered with smoked glass. And there is a very chic double-headed lighting fixture above the sink. Usually, lighting fixtures in the bathroom elude notice, but this begs for approving scrutiny.

Across the hallway from this bath is an extra room in this already-roomy condo. This nook was once a porch but is now refurbished as a study, and it couldn’t be more charming, with big windows overlooking the large back alley.

There is more than enough room for the built-in desk and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves.

The dining area is part of the living room in a large space with many windows on two sides. 

A parking space comes with this unit, and that is visible from the study. In addition, the surrounding outdoor gardens of the various neighbors make for a vibrant visual cityscape.

This alleyway does not feel close, dark and scary. The outdoor spot fits in comfortably to the surrounding landscape.

Near the study is the master bedroom, a spacious repose with custom closets, a large window and wall-to-wall carpeting. The master easily has enough space for a king-size bed, a sitting area and dressers. Off the bedroom and up a step is the en suite tiled bath, with its frameless glass shower and pedestal sink.

Overall, this unit feels solid, well built and not cobbled together from a single townhouse.

In 2010, the building paid to install a new roof so that major expense is taken care of.

Also, the very small condo fee of $325 a month includes the oil heat, which seems like a deal at any price.

The master bedroom in Unit 3 is large and light with built-ins and an en suite bath.

If you are thinking of living in the city with a dog, Unit 3 at 3 Durham St. is ideal.

The building is pet-friendly and the dead end street backs up to Southwest Corridor Park, a lovely green space that runs through the South End to Massachusetts Avenue. Getting out every day with the dog would be a pleasure.

Even without a dog, this condo could not offer a more pleasant spot to perch. Walk outside and see the Prudential Tower rising up in the near-distance. Yes, you will be reminded you live in the city. Still, this condo is a quiet and comfortable home.

DETAILS

Address: 3 Durham St., Unit 3, South End

BR/BA: Two bedrooms, two baths

Size: 1,340 square feet

Age: 1890s 

Price: $959,000

Taxes: $8,228 (FY 2011 with residential exemption) 

Condo fee: $325 per month (includes heat) 

BR/BA: Two bedrooms, two baths 

Features of home: Spacious living room/dining room with bow front windows, wood-burning fireplace with a mahogany mantel and Delft-like tiles in living room; large dining area with room for seating for eight; chef’s kitchen with quartz counters, backsplash of painted tiles, stainless steel Bosch appliances, including gas range; master bedroom with en suite bath; second bath has double sinks and Jacuzzi for two; extra room that could be used as small study or library/sunroom; many custom built-ins and closets; pet-friendly; one deeded parking space. 

Close by: Symphony Hall, Prudential Center and Copley Place; numerous dining possibilities in the South End and Back Bay,from the newly-opened Five Napkin Burger on Huntington Avenue to Brasserie Jo in the Colonnade Hotel; easy access to MBTA Green and Orange Lines, commuter rail and Amtrak at Back Bay station, Route 90.

Contact: Sherry Walker, William Raveis Real Estate, 18 Arlington St., Boston, MA 02116. Phones: 617-266-5200 (office), 617-233-3355 (cell) or 617-642-9004 (voice mail).

Website: www.raveis.com

An open house will be held Sunday, Sept. 11, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.