Charlestown condo has glimpses of harbor

The Charlestown Navy Yard was an important part of the United States Navy until the yard was closed in 1974. Then 30 acres were set aside as part of the Boston National Historic Park where the USS Constitution or “Old Ironsides” is still berthed and where a modern day naval destroyer as well as two museums allow visitors to remember the history that was made there. 

The other land that was once part of the Navy Yard was made available for private development. One of the new developments is the Nautica, a grouping of 117 luxury residential units in eight buildings that were built brand new with similar architectural components – cut stone, pitched roofs with dormers and wood window frames – to provide continuity throughout the development. 

The developer, Edward A. Fish Associates Inc. also developed Wilkes Passage in the South End. The architects, Neshamkin French Architects of Charlestown, have offices on Monument Square and many successful projects including the beautiful 44 Prince Street in the North End. 

The general contractor, Suffolk Construction Company, has completed many projects in and around Boston and throughout the United States. The Nautica was sold out as soon as it was completed.

George Edwards of Olde Forge Realty is marketing a flat in the Nautica for $585,000.

The dining room is open to the kitchen and living room.

The unit, No. 207, is in the four-story building at 65 Chelsea St., one of the last to be completed. It is in the southwest corner on the second floor and has two bedrooms, a chef’s granite kitchen and two marble baths. 

The dining room has three walls. The fourth is open to the living room where a fireplace adds ambiance to both rooms. Two tandem parking spaces just beside the interior garage door and a storage room off the garage are included in the sale.

The Nautica fills the land outlined by Warren Street, Chelsea Street and Constitution Road. The buildings along Chelsea Street are handsome and strong and seem to fill the idea of how a naval building should look.

Everything looks pristine and squared away. The buildings have a permanent feel as though they have been there for decades, not merely 10 years.

The kitchen features white cabinetry and white appliances that contrast with the black granite countertops.

The occupancy permit for 65 Chelsea St. is dated Dec. 27, 2001.

Two of the buildings seem identical and appear to be made of granite; 65 Chelsea is one of those, the second one from the intersection of Chelsea and Constitution Road. 

The building holds nine flats on each of the first three floors and eight on the fourth floor, for a total of 35 units in the building.

The other buildings in the complex are equally handsome but made of red brick. There are glimpses of beautiful plantings along the paths between the buildings.

Small, trimmed boxwoods provide year-round interest and continuity throughout the complex, and tall vertical trees spaced at intervals soften the facades of the buildings along Chelsea Street. 

Sixty-five Chelsea Street has both steps and ramps to the entrances at the front and back of the building.

The second bedroom has been converted to a comfortable sitting room/study.

Once inside, there is a choice of stairs or elevator to reach the various floors. No. 207 is all on one floor and is immaculate. The beautiful oak hardwood floors gleam.

The entry hall runs from the door, past the doors to a bedroom, a full bath, the kitchen and the living room and finally ends at the master bedroom door.

A large coat closet with built-in shelving for extra storage is across from the front door. Beside it a bedroom is being used as a study. The west-facing window gives views of the beautiful lawns, shrubs and paths that run between the townhouses next door.

The full guest bath has a marble floor, glass-paneled wall cabinets, a combination deep Jacuzzi tub and shower, crown molding and a pedestal sink. White tiles form the tub surround.

The kitchen is as beautiful as it is workable. The KitchenAid appliances are all white to match the white custom-paneled cabinets. The countertops are black granite with subtle splotches of color.

A door at the end of the kitchen opens to the dining room. The windows there also face west. Crown molding edges the ceiling, and a very attractive light hangs above the dining room table.

The dining room is open to the living room so that the crown molding forms a continuous band through both rooms. 

The living room windows face south and west providing light throughout the day. The west windows give views of some of the lawns and shrubs of the complex.

A section of Boston Harbor can be seen through the south-facing windows.

An electric fireplace provides the warmth and glow of a fire without the bother and mess of wood, and a white wooden mantelpiece surrounds the fireplace.

A pass-through window allows those in the kitchen to still interact with those in the living room.

The Nautica was constructed 10 years ago at the western edge of the Charlestown Navy Yard.

The master bedroom windows face south with a partial view of Boston Harbor. The two double closets have built-ins for extra storage. An en suite bath includes a glass-paneled wall cabinet and a glass-enclosed double shower. A laundry closet with a stacked washer and dryer is just outside the master bedroom.

All of the windows in the unit are dressed with tasteful draperies and Roman shades that are included in the sale.  

DETAILS

Address: 65 Chelsea St., No. 207, Charlestown

BR/BA: Two bedrooms, two baths

Age: 2001

Price: $585,000

Size: 1,093 +/- square feet 

Taxes: $5435 (FY 2011 with residential exemption)

Condo fee: $620 per month (includes heat and hot water)

Features of the building: Handsome light stone, handicap-accessible building with parking and extra storage on the lower level. 

Features of the unit: Light-filled, immaculate unit with chef’s kitchen, living room with electric fireplace, crown molding, beautiful hardwood floors; Jacuzzi soaking tub, built-in shelving in closets, laundry closet with washer and dryer, double shower; central air conditioning; enjoyable views; extra storage off parking garage; two garage parking spaces near elevator in lower level of building.

Close by: “Old Ironsides,” Bunker Hill Monument, shops and restaurants of Charlestown and he North End; TD Bank Garden, the Financial District, Government Center, Quincy Market; water taxis and buses to various locations in Boston, MBTA Orange Line at Bunker Hill Community College or North Station. 

Contact: George J. Edwards, Olde Forge Realty, 175 Cambridge St., Boston, MA 02114. Phones: 617-227-6600 (office) or 617-320-8114 (cell).  

Website: www.oldeforgerealty.com

This property may be seen by appointment.