East Boston duplex enjoys water views

It’s well worth a visit to the penthouse duplex at 181 Webster St. in the Jeffries Point section of East Boston, known locally as an up-and-coming area for young professionals.

Paul Campano of Keller Williams Realty has listed this condo, Unit 4, at $449,900.

It was gut-renovated by the current owners in 2002 and includes unusual touches such as the master bath, which was modeled after a French spa, and a rich color scheme throughout.

A beautiful rooftop deck overlooking Boston Harbor just blocks away offers mesmerizing views day or night, and the top-floor gourmet kitchen and great room present a delightful space for entertaining.

Imagine inviting guests to enjoy freshly barbecued items taken from the built-in rooftop grill in the summer or sip cocktails in front of the flip-on gas fireplace.

No. 181 Webster is a brick, three-story bow front building. It is among nine attached Greek Revival rowhouses with brownstone trim that number from 177 to 193 Webster St.

The kitchen features high-end stainless steel appliances, cherry cabinets and granite counters.

They were constructed in the late 1800s under development plans of the East Boston Company, established by William Sumner.

In the next block is the Samuel Adams Elementary School, facing a fenced, grassy park. The neighborhood bears resemblance to Charlestown’s expensive Bunker Hill.

Campano points out features that potential buyers have found attractive – high quality architecture, harbor views, the proximity to public transportation and the East Boston neighborhood layout.

Another appealing feature is that several major maintenance items, including new windows, building repointing, a new roof and new water heater, have all been taken care of recently.

That means no major fee assessments are likely to be on the horizon. Condo fees here are reasonable – just $240 per month.

This bedroom boasts a gleaming hardwood floor and a shallow alcove for the headboard of a queen-size bed. Sliders open onto a deck.

The home is a 15- to 20-minute walk from the Maverick Station MBTA stop (one stop away from Airport), up Sumner Street through a pleasant residential neighborhood. Take a right on Seaver Street, walk by the small park to your left, and the house is right in front of you.

Head up a short stone walk and a couple of steps, and you’re inside. Unit 4 enters from the second floor, up one flight of gray-carpeted stairs.

The “upside down” layout is a bit unusual, with bedrooms plus a small foyer at the entry level, and the living area and kitchen on the top floor.

It’s meant to take maximum advantage of the views.

The rowhouses between 177 and 193 Webster St. were among the first to be constructed on Jeffries Point.

Walls facing Boston Harbor are mostly sliding glass doors opening onto wooden decks (and the back fire escape).

This home offers exclusive access to three outdoor areas – decks off the master bedroom, living room and on the roof.

The master bedroom suite is designed after a spa in France that the current owners once visited.

Floors are maple, walls are painted in tones of goldenrod and soft red clay.

An alcove space designed for the bed faces a gas fireplace.

The views from the penthouse duplex are mesmerizing.

A luxury en suite bath accented in Travertine marble and granite with separate Jacuzzi soaking tub and water closet is visible to and from the room through a large glass window. There’s a walk-in closet with a pocket door. A mini-fridge makes the bedroom a private retreat, in the event owners have guests.

A second bedroom faces the park out front, and deep recessed windows are set into the bow front. The room is painted pale rose and includes its own full bath with cream-yellow walls and dark green marble accents. A separate closet for the washer and dryer is in a small hallway leading to this room.

Up a flight of carpeted stairs, a stunning, spacious living area faces southeast. A wall of windows offers full advantage of the stunning views of Piers Park and the ships coming in and out.

The living area, with a second gas fireplace and small breakfast nook, is closest to the windows. Sparkling, richly stained cherry floors are throughout.

Closer to the front is the gourmet kitchen, including a stainless steel Thermador convection oven with charcoal grill, a wine fridge and Bosch dishwasher; blue and gold designer ceiling lights, and cherry cabinets.

A gas fireplace is a nice element in the living room, which has floor-to-ceiling windows.

A dark gray granite counter follows the entire front/window line of the kitchen. A powder room with tumbled marble floors and modern basin sink is tucked away at the far end.

Finishing touches to this well-appointed unit include central air conditioning, two-zone gas heat and a deeded parking space behind the building (with light demolition needed in order to access). Street parking is plentiful.

DETAILS

Address: 181 Webster St., Unit 4, Jeffries Point, East Boston

BR/BA: Two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths

Size: 1,308 square feet

Age: Circa 1900; 2002

 Price: $449,900 

Taxes: $3,806

Condo fee: $240 per month

Features of building: Brick bow front building with four units, three owner-occupied; building completely repointed in December 2010; new roof added in 2002; new windows; self-managed; pet friendly.

Features of home: Penthouse duplex with exclusive access to roof deck with built-in grill station; open floor plan on top floor with kitchen and living area; polished hardwood floors; roof deck with spectacular views of Boston Harbor; two back porches; two bedrooms on lower level; one deeded parking space which would require clearing; in-unit laundry; basement storage 

Close by: Located in East Boston’s Jeffries point, blocks from the Boston Harbor, Piers Park Sailing Center and four-tenths of a mile from Maverick MBTA station on the Blue Line; easy commute to historic North End, he Financial District and Fort Point and easy access to Logan Airport, Routes 90 and 93.

Contact: Paul Campano, Keller Williams Realty, 955 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139. Phones: 617-497-8900 (office) or 617-304-3686 (cell).

Website: www.isellyourhome.com

An open house will be held at this property Sunday, Feb. 20, from 1:30 to 3 p.m.