Chic Midtown Boston condo enjoys panoramic views  

The 17-story modern glass and brick building, rising over the skyline in the quadrant of Boston where the Park Plaza Hotel and the Four Seasons dominate the landscape, is called One Charles, with 233 condominiums that opened in 2005.

The complex is in the thick of the city, hard by the Theater District, Bay Village, Back Bay, Downtown Crossing, Chinatown, the Public Garden and Boston Common.

Currently, Karen Peters and Susan Gram of Otis & Ahearn Real Estate are marketing Unit 15H, a 1,571-square-foot condominium, at $1.51 million.

The current owner of Unit 15H has taken impeccable care of the property, and this oversight is reflected in the shine of the marble and the gleam of the kitchen.

Indeed, as you enter shoeless into the marble foyer, you must take care not to slide across the stone.

Prepare to be staggered upon first glimpse of the panoramic view, which stretches out from floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room.

This vista is what living in the city is all about – up close and in color from the Blue Hills to the old and new Hancock towers in the front yard.

The views are to the south and west.

Floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room offer spectacular views of the Back Bay and the Hancock buildings.

The current owner has kept the walls and floors white so the light beaming into the condo makes the entire place appear to glow. There are window coverings that convey with the home; a blackout shade is in the master bedroom.

The hardwood floors are Brazilian cherry wood in the living room, with custom-made, textured, wall-to-wall carpeting in the bedrooms.

Off the entryway is the kitchen, an efficient space with stainless steel appliances and granite counters. The six-burner gas cooktop is Viking; so is the oven.

The refrigerator is Sub-Zero with an undermount freezer and paneling to match the cabinetry. Poggenpohl provided the cabinets, which have stainless pulls and undermount lighting for the convenience of the cook.

The kitchen has not been touched so it seems entirely new.

The customized kitchen boasts Poggenpohl cabinets, black granite counters, high-end stainless steel appliances and a tiled floor.

One hallmark of Unit 15H is the copious storage. Closets abound. For example, off the entryway are two coat closets. Lining the hallways are walk-in closets with built-ins. There will not be a problem with storing any article of clothing or anything else, of whatever size.

The second bedroom is large and could be used as a home office or guest room. The view is lavish outside the floor-to-ceiling windows. And a desk fits perfectly in the curves and corners around the windows.

A second full bath accommodates the occupant of the second bedroom. The bath has a shower and is covered in marble.

The master bedroom offers a kingly space for a king-sized bed – a bed with a grand view of the Back Bay. The bedroom is also spacious enough so that you might want to fashion a sitting area or a home office in the space.

Even with these added usages, the master can serve many uses.

The master bedroom is king-sized and carpeted. The accompanying master bath includes a soaking tub and a glass-enclosed shower.

One need abundantly fulfilled is storage. The closets of the master bedroom are large and luxurious, with built-in shelving. These are closets for the lion, the witch and the wardrobe. These are closets that even when full might look half empty.

The master bath will also be accommodating for a couple who want the room to wash up together. The floor of this spa-like bath is marble. And there are two sinks in the marble vanity.

A deep soaking tub sits in one corner, and a frameless glass shower is in the adjacent space. A toilet is discreetly tucked behind a half wall. This is a bathroom for spreading out and enjoying copious cleansing comforts.

Unit 15H at One Charles has many other amenities attached to high-style housing.

The condominium includes one garage space an owner can self-park at any time; guests can use the valet service.

The second bedroom has its own bath with a shower. It presently is outfitted as a home office.

For example, the car entrance to the building is convenient porte-cochere style where vehicles enter the complex on a portico-covered driveway running between both of halves of the condominium complex.

This arrangement is great for picking up and dropping off. There is a doorman on duty to keep things running smoothly. And each lobby of One Charles has a concierge behind the desk.

The common space of this complex is especially thoughtful. On the third floor – a floor accessible to all units in One Charles – there is a roomy fitness center with machines to rival any health club.

There is also a paneled library, living room and boardroom space. Coffee is available in these rooms every morning and residents are encouraged to take advantage for office meetings or private parties.

The condominium at One Charles is quiet and meditative even though it sits right in the middle of bustling Boston.

The views of Park Square from this residence are enchanting, especially at night.

Fifteen floors above street level all is calm, all is bright.

DETAILS

Address: One Charles Street South, Unit 15H, Midtown

BR/BA: Two bedrooms, two baths

Size: 1,571 square feet

Age: 2005 

Price: $1.51 million

Taxes: $15,537 (FY 2011 with residential exemption) 

Condo fee: $1,736 (includes heat, hot water, gas)

Features of building: Seventeen-story building with 233 units; two elegant lobbies staffed by 24-hour concierge service, accessed beneath porte cochere; below-ground garage with valet parking; library with fireplace and kitchen for catered events; business conference room and entertainment area; fully equipped exercise room and sauna; bike room, pet friendly.

Features of home: Large, light-filled unit with floor-to-ceiling windows and views to the Blue Hills to the south and the two Hancock buildings to the west; gourmet kitchen with Poggenpohl cabinetry, stainless steel Viking appliances, including six-burner gas cooktop and oven; king-size master bedroom with soaking tub and frameless glass shower in master bath; second bedroom with glorious city views that could be home office; many walk-in closets with ample storage; one self-park space in underground garage. 

Close by: Boston Common and Public Garden; State House; Theater District; Financial District; State House; award-winning restaurants, shops and hotels; historic sites and Freedom Trail; easy access to MBTA Green Line at Boylston or Arlington streets and Orange Line at New England Medical Center, Routes 93 and 90.

Contact: Karen Peters or Susan Gram, Otis & Ahearn Real Estate, Commercial Wharf, 84 Atlantic Ave., Waterfront, MA 02110. Phones: 617-227-6070 (office) or 617-721-5456 (Peters cell) or 61-840-2417 (Gram cell).

Website: www.otisahearn.com

This property may be seen by appointment.