Commercial building now boasts condos
From the marble lobby to the private deck on the roof, this 1950s Midtown building at 55 Temple Pl. shines.
Its current configuration includes two commercial and four contemporary residential units, and three of the residential units are still available.
Danielle Bing of Gibson Waterfront/Sotheby’s International Realty has the exclusive listing for these loft-style floor-through condominiums.
No. 3, a one-bedroom unit on the third floor is priced at $489,000. No. 5, with one-plus bedrooms and direct elevator access is on the market for $639,000.
The penthouse boasts two bedrooms, direct elevator access and a private roof deck; it is listed at $829,000.
No. 5 has been beautifully staged to give potential buyers an idea of how to use the space in these condos.
The large, bright room at the front of the home facing the street has been arranged to display the space used as a living room and two dining areas, one more formal and one for casual meals.
Light pours into the home through three tall windows with deep window sills. It illuminates the space and reflects off the shiny bamboo flooring.
The walls have been painted a warm khaki color, which adds sophistication to the contemporary design of the place.
The open kitchen in the corner sports cherry cabinetry with brushed nickel pulls. Dentil molding to the ceiling gives the cabinets an elegant and finished look.
Golden-toned granite on the countertop and rounded breakfast bar complements the warm tones of the cherry.
The kitchen, tucked into an alcove, is open to the living room. Cherry cabinetry, stainless steel appliances and golden granite counters offer an elegant workspace.
The stainless steel appliances include a GE side-by-side refrigerator, GE Profile dishwasher, GE smoothtop range and GE Profile Spacemaker micro-vent. The sink is also stainless, with the faucet set in one corner.
Behind the kitchen is a room that could be perfect as an office or a TV room.
It’s staged as a guest bedroom, and although it has no windows, with the right lighting, the room could feel very cozy.
A hallway conveys the sense of spaciousness within the unit and provides a gallery-like area that is calling out for fabulous artwork.
This hall also provides a nice separation between the front rooms and the master bedroom.
At the back of the unit, the afternoon sun lights up the bedroom, which has a big walk-in closet and another double closet for wardrobe storage.
The master bathroom has a whirlpool tub with shower and an angled granite vanity to maximize style and space. “It’s very European looking,” Bing says.
Stone-like ceramic tile makes this bath look even more stylish. A good-sized linen closet adds convenience. The other full bathroom in the home has a walk-in shower and similar granite and ceramic tile.
Upstairs is the penthouse unit, with direct elevator access. The home’s kitchen is open and offers a separate, golden granite-topped island in addition to plenty of counter space.
The generous cherry cabinets and stainless steel appliances glow in the light entering through the three street-facing windows. The unit’s front room has ample space for both a living area and a dining area.
The penthouse features three exposures providing natural light and fantastic views.
While the two bedrooms are nice, with good closet space, it’s the two bathrooms that are standouts in the penthouse unit.
No. 5 at 55 Temple Pl. has been staged for prospective buyers. A dining area flows toward the living room and kitchen.
The master bath boasts a double vanity and a corner whirlpool tub.
Ceramic tiles with the look of stone are attractive and modern. The second full bath is located off the hallway, angled for privacy and space. This bathroom has a walk-in shower instead of a tub.
Any tour of the penthouse unit must include the private roof deck, with its dramatic city skyscraper and steeple views. The penthouse owner will have exclusive rights to this deck, which encompasses the entire roof.
The one-bedroom condo, No. 3, has the high ceilings, bamboo floors and a cherry, granite and stainless kitchen similar to those in the larger units. The bedroom has an interior window, which takes advantage of light flooding in through the windows in the living/dining space at the front of the unit. Bing describes this home as “a funky modern design.”
“This feels very New York to me, Soho-esque,” she says. “There’s no wasted space. There are many non-traditional, cool ways you can organize your life here.”
Amenities like an alarm system and intercom with video add to the value of these homes. The elevator will be refaced as soon as all of the new homeowners move in.
Bing envisions the units as appealing to a young, urban buyer and believes strongly in the Midtown location.
She says, “It’s right across the street from the T. It’s very quiet at night. You’re right near the Common and the Public Garden. People come here from all over the world, and you’re in the heart of it.”
DETAILS
Address: 55 Temple Pl., Midtown
No. 3: 1,037 square feet, one bedroom, one bath, $489,000; condo fee, $325 per month
No. 5: 1,389 square feet, one plus bedrooms, two baths, $639,000; condo fee: $420 per month
Penthouse: 1,434 square feet, two bedrooms, two baths, $829,000; condo fee: $578 per month
Age: 1950s; 2007
Taxes: To be determined
Features of building: Complete restoration of Midtown 1950s office building into contemporary residential and retail space, with marble lobby. Direct elevator access for two units. Gas heat included in condo fee; buyers pay for fans used to distribute heat; alarm and video intercom systems.
Features of units: Light-filled floor-through units have high ceilings; crown moldings, tall windows; cherry and granite kitchens; baths with whirlpool tubs, bamboo floors; washer and dryer hookups in each unit; many closets. Penthouse has private roof deck.
Close by: Boston Common, Public Garden, Ladder District restaurants, shops at Downtown Crossing, Financial District; MBTA Red, Green, Orange and Silver Lines, and easy access to Route 93, Mass. Turnpike.
Contact: Danielle Bing, Gibson Waterfront/Sotheby’s International Realty, 220 Commercial St., Boston MA 02109. Phones: 617-725-1981 (office), 617-680-5424 (cell). Web site: www.gibsonsothebysrealty.com
The Midtown building at 55 Temple Pl. has been completely renovated, creating contemporary commercial and residential space. Three floor-through condos, including a penthouse, are available, priced between $489,000 and $829,000.
COURTESY PHOTO / GIBSON WATERFRONT / SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY
DIN/KIT
No. 5 at 55 Temple Pl. has been staged for prospective buyers. A dining area flows toward the living room and kitchen.
LIV
The kitchen, tucked into an alcove, is open to the living room. Cherry cabinetry, stainless steel appliances and golden granite counters offer an elegant workspace.
COURTESY PHOTOS / GIBSON WATERFRONT / SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY
MBR
The master bedroom is located at the back of the unit. A double closet and a large walk-in closet provide plenty of space to hold clothing and shoes.
