Charlestown town house has history

Harvard Place is a beautiful cul-de-sac off Harvard Street, near the Harvard Mall, in the historic Town Hill District of Charlestown.

There is one double house on each side of the street and a garden gate to a house at the end.

The homes of the original settlers are long gone, but the cobblestones that pave Harvard Place are said to be from the original settlement.

Built between 1858 and 1860 by Moses Dow, a prominent Charlestown resident, One Harvard Place today is a delightful single-family attached home.

Frank Celeste of Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty of Thompson Square has listed it for sale at $1.375 million.

It has tremendous natural sunlight throughout and is truly a home for all ages, he says.

The Boston Landmarks Commission describes One Harvard Place as an elegant Italianate mansard town house constructed of red brick with granite and brownstone trim.

“It rises three stories from a rusticated granite block basement” to the mansard roof with bracketed cornice and dentils. “The deeply recessed entrance is set within a brownstone arch with rope moldings and keystone.”

The dining room has a carved marble mantelpiece, the original ceiling medallion, mellow heart pine flooring and picture rail molding.

Moses A. Dow, a prominent Charlestown resident, built the homes on Harvard Place between 1858 and 1860.

In 1994 the home was renovated – baths, kitchen, closets, floors, ceilings, walls, interior doors – and the owner received permission to add a studio apartment in the garden level.

The glass-paneled front doors open to an inviting foyer with large black and white squares painted on the wooden floor. 

On the left is a beautiful curved stairway, and on the right, a wide doorway opens to the dining room.

At the end of the foyer a glass-paneled door allows light from the coat closet through. A wide doorway between the dining room and the closet gives access to the kitchen.

The dining room has the original center ceiling medallion, carved marble mantelpiece, mellow heart pine flooring and picture rail molding.

The designer kitchen features dark granite counters and abundant cabinetry. 

Three large windows at the front and sides give abundant light and provide enchanting views of Harvard Place. A wide doorway in the back wall opens to the delightful kitchen.

Another medallion graces the kitchen ceiling along with the recessed lighting. The cabinets are soft white and custom-paneled, and dark granite tops the counters and the center island.

A wide-rimmed white farmhouse sink with brass fixtures and brass knobs on the cabinets add distinction to the room. A side-by-side refrigerator freezer is paneled to match the cabinets. The gas cooktop is set into the island. 

The two large windows in the room give views of the fence- enclosed back garden and the attractive brick homes across the courtyard.

One flight up above the dining room is the living room, which features a marble mantelpiece, built-in bookcases, three large windows and wide molding. 

Above the kitchen is a relaxing study. A powder room with black and white floor tiles completes the level.

The next level comprises the master bedroom with large his-and-her closets and a huge en suite bath with a Jacuzzi. A laundry room is on this floor as well.

The top floor holds a large office, study or playroom, plus a bedroom and a full bath.

The garden level comprises a studio apartment with a separate entrance that opens to the private back garden.

The en suite master bath is simply sumptuous with two vanities and a deep soaking Jacuzzi.

A workshop and storage are on this level as well.

The windows are insulated, and there is a programmable thermostat. The top three floors are air-conditioned.

One of its rare amenities is that the home comes with a separately deeded garage in the condominium building next door and two parking spaces adjacent to the home.

The present owners of One Harvard Place lived in England at one time and said that One Harvard Place reminded them of their home in London. 

Celeste says that the owners love its warmth, elegance and grandeur. They also appreciate being able to walk to everything in Charlestown, to the Waterfront and the North End. One of its rare amenities is that it comes with a separately deeded garage in the condominium building next door and two parking spaces adjacent to the home.

DETAILS

Address: One Harvard Place, Charlestown

BR/BA: Four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths

Size: 2,992 +/- square feet

Age: 1858; 1994

Price: $1.375 million

Taxes: $10,469 (with residential exemption) 

Features of home: One of only five homes on a charming street in an excellent location. Chef’s kitchen, rental apartment or au pair suite, many original features: marble mantelpieces, ceiling medallions, crown molding, graceful stairwell banister. Back fenced garden. Separate deed for one car garage with opener in off back courtyard and two parking spaces in the courtyard.

Close by: John Harvard Mall, City Square Park, Charlestown Navy Yard, marinas, restaurants and shops; the North End, TD Garden, Bunker Hill Community College; easy access to public transportation and Route 93.

Contact: Frank Celeste, Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty, One Thompson Square, Charlestown, MA 02129. Phones: 617-242-4222 (office) or 617-872-3227 (cell).

Websites: www.sothebysrealty.com or www.frankceleste.com

An open house will be held at this home Sunday, Feb. 6, from noon to 1 p.m.