Exceptional interior lies within Bay Village home
Bay Village is a charming neighborhood nestled between the South End, the Back Bay, and the Theater District. The artisans who built Beacon Hill used the same plans and materials but on a smaller scale when they constructed their own homes in Bay Village.
Some say that Edgar Allen Poe was born in the neighborhood when his parents were performing in Boston.
Sally Withington of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage has listed a Bay Village single-family townhouse at 54 Fayette St. at $1.34 million.
The home includes two stunning levels of entertainment space, a level solely for the master suite, and a penthouse level with guest suite and huge home office.
Named for the French marquis who fought for the Americans in the Revolutionary War, Fayette Street is near the southern edge of Bay Village. No. 54 was a three-family home in 1960, when it was bought, completely renovated and changed to a single-family home with a brand new facade and enlarged back windows.
By 2002 the 1960 renovations were tired and outdated. A new owner hired architect Tony Butler of Anthony Butler Architects of Arlington to develop a new plan, and the results are spectacular.
The 1960 facade was removed and a brand new facade added that was in keeping with the original 1840’s design. Not only did that add to the harmony of the neighborhood, but it also added more living space to the interior.
Inside are 21st century style and amenities with custom touches that add warmth and desirability.
The exterior of 54 Fayette St. was restored to its original appearance, creating a sense of harmony in the streetscape.
The front door opens into a mezzanine where the strong, thin balusters topped by metal and wood handrails allow views of both the lower family room level and the upper living room level. An imported carved teak door at the end of the mezzanine anchors the space while hiding the coat closet. Large windows, sidelights and transoms of the new facade light the foyer as well as the two adjacent levels.
The garden level of the home has an open, state-of-the-art kitchen, a family room with a handsome fireplace, a spacious dining area, a chic powder room, a storage area and a utility closet. The floor has large squares of tumbled limestone.
In the kitchen a large center island provides plenty of space for visitors to sit and visit with the cook. Above the island are two beautiful brass Arts & Crafts-style light fixtures. The island and cabinets are topped by honed granite. The cabinets, some with glass-paneled doors, are cherry made by Brookhaven, and the backsplash tile is by Waterworks.
The grand open kitchen features a handsome fireplace, a granite center island with Arts & Crafts lights, high-end appliances and a tumbled limestone floor.
Stainless steel appliances include a six-burner Wolf gas range, a Thermador range hood and a General Electric Profile refrigerator/freezer. An Asko dishwasher is built into the island next to the sink, and a microwave is in another part of the island.
All of the windows and doors were replaced during the latest renovation. Those on the first and second level are Marvin Tilt Turn duel function floor-to-ceiling windows and provide wonderful views of the private patio and garden outside.
A privacy fence surrounds the flagstone patio and garden area, and there is an outdoor storage area that is hidden from the house.
Myrtle and Japanese fern are growing in the garden, and against the fence is tall, feathery bamboo that has even more interest at night when a timer turns on lights directed toward it.
The living room includes floor-to-ceiling windows, custom built-ins, a raised fireplace and abundant recessed lighting.
The large living room has hardwood floors, floor-to-ceiling windows, built-in bookcases, a built-in wide screen television and a fireplace with a cantilevered granite hearth.
The master bedroom suite occupies the entire floor on the next level and is dramatic.
A built-in mahogany chest has lattice weave paneled doors. The walk-in closet with pocket doors has hanging rods as well as built-in shelving, and another built-in storage closet has shelving hidden by imported carved teak doors. The laundry room with full-size washer and dryer is off the master bedroom.
The master bath boasts a stone-topped solid mahogany vanity with doors with lattice weave insets, a glass-enclosed shower and a separate Jacuzzi soaking tub and Waterworks fixtures and tile.
The top floor has a guest bedroom with built-in shelving and chests and an adjacent bath with Waterworks tile, plus a huge office with built-in shelving.
The master bedroom suite is inviting, with its exposed brick, custom-designed mahogany chest and storage closet with imported carved teak doors.
If another bedroom is needed, plans are available to build a bedroom, a bath and a hallway in the office space. A large skylight is above the stairwell; another provides access to the roof at the top of the stairs.
Hand-cast solid brass hardware for the doors by Rocky Mountain Hardware were added during the renovations, and there is recessed lighting throughout the house.
Every floor is wired with state-of-the art Niles ZR-6 multi-zone audio systems providing iPod and radio access, and the first and garden levels have Advanced Lightolier Multiset Pro programmable lighting.
There are three zones of heating, air conditioning, humidifier, and air filtration systems.
DETAILS
Address: 54 Fayette St., Bay Village
BR/BA: Two-plus bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths
Age: Circa 1840; 1960; 2002
Price: $1.34 million
Size: 2,452 +/- square feet
Taxes: $10,108 (FY 2009 with residential exemption)
Features of the home: Stunning, comfortable home with open chef’s kitchen with high-end stainless steel appliances granite counters, cherry cabinetry; tumbled limestone flooring on garden level, Brazilian cherry hardwood flooring on other levels; built-in sound system, programmable recessed lighting; outdoor patio and garden with timed lighting; new façade and slate on Mansard roof replaced in 2002, windows and doors replaced in 2002 or later; CAT-5 wiring throughout; three zones of heat, air conditioning, humidifier and air filtration; security system;
Close by: Back Bay and South End shops, restaurants and theaters; easy access to MBTA stations at Arlington Street, Boylston Street and Park Street, Route 93 and 90.
Contact: Sally Withington, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, 84 Chestnut St., Boston MA 02108. Phones: 617-723-2737 (office) or 617-877-7757 (cell).
Web sites: www.nemoves.com or www.54fayette.com
This home may be seen by appointment.
