Fort Hill rowhouses undergo gut-rehab
For the residents of Marcella Street in Boston’s historic Fort Hill neighborhood, the construction activity in the row of brick townhouses at 130-136 Marcella St. is more than a welcome sight.
For years, the blighted buildings were on the Department of Neighborhood Development’s abandoned property list.
Now, Boston-based Terrazza Development has come to the rescue and completely renovated the four buildings, right down to the brick on the exterior.
In the process, they have created nine residential condominiums, four of which are already under agreement.
Megan Kopman of Ballast Realty Group is marketing the remaining five properties, all duplexes, at prices ranging from $299,900 for a two-bedroom, one-and-a-half bath parlor and garden-level unit to $439,900 for a three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath home, also on the parlor and garden levels
At 130 Marcella St., where two model units are located, the building’s unusual footprint includes a turret at the outside rear corner, making it the largest of the four attached rowhouses.
Unit 1, the garden/parlor home, has nearly 1,600 square feet and, at $439,900, is the most expensive unit in the complex.
Its living space is open with a large bay-windowed living/dining room at the front and a sleek kitchen at the rear of the space.
The stainless steel Frigidaire Gallery appliances include a gas stove, refrigerator, dishwasher and microwave.
In the model units, the counters are black Galaxy granite, although other units have green/black Uba Tuba granite.
The kitchens in all of these units feature granite counters, maple cabinetry and stainless steel appliances, including a gas stove.
The cabinets throughout the development’s kitchens are maple; here they feature a pretty curved molding on the doors, although other units may have Shaker-style door fronts.
Through an arched brick doorway, found only in this building, is the master suite, spacious and bright because of the turret windows.
One nice feature of the bedroom is the large double closet. Another is the large deck just outside.
Every unit in this complex has private outdoor space and these garden/parlor duplexes have not only the deck but also a lovely stone terrace on the garden level.
The master bath, like the half bath in the hall outside, has a floor of Travertine stone tile and a tub/shower with a subway tile surround.
The vanity is dark natural wood and the mirror above it has a very attractive design in its frame.
Downstairs in Unit 1 is another large room at the front that could be a second living room, a child’s play space or a very large home office.
Two more bedrooms and a full bath are also found on this floor.
At 134 Marcella St., Roxbury puddingstone has been incorporated into a wall in the garden-level front room in Unit 1.
It should be noted that because these buildings are built into the side of a hill, none of the garden-level floors is below grade, and they all receive full light.
And from the upper stories, the views are pretty spectacular too.
Generally, the floors are red oak, although some of the garden-level floors are Brazilian cherry.
Each unit also has hookups for a washer and dryer, and the developers have thoughtfully provided the option of electric or gas for the dryer.
There is also a utilities room that includes the forced air heating system. Air-conditioning is available as an upgrade for $3,000, and so far, all of the buyers have chosen to upgrade and include its cost in their financing.
Unit 2, the upper duplex at 130 Marcella St., is similar in finishes to its downstairs neighbor.
At 1,350 square feet, it is slightly smaller and has two bedrooms and two full baths.
In addition to the deck off its first level, it also has a roof deck, the only unit in the complex with such an amenity. It is priced at $409,900.
At 132 Marcella St., all three units – two studios and a duplex – are under agreement, as is the lower duplex sat 136 Marcella St.
The two duplexes at 134 Marcella St. each have two bedrooms and one-and-a-half baths. Unit 1, the lower unit, is 925 +/- square feet and is priced at $299,900.
One distinctive feature is a Roxbury puddingstone wall in the garden level front room.
Unit 2, a little large at 996 square feet, is priced at $399,900. Next door, at 136 Marcella St., Unit 2, with two bedrooms and a bath-and-a-half, is selling for $349,900. It is also 996 square feet.
Kopman says that all of the units that have gone under agreement have done so at prices above the original asking price.
“The developers really wanted these homes to be available to people in the neighborhood,” she notes, adding that a lot of interest in the development comes from Fort Hill residents who need a larger home and really want to stay in the neighborhood.
Another group of interested buyers is people connected to the various medical centers nearby.
DETAILS
Address:130-136 Marcella St., Fort Hill
Age:Circa 1900;2007
BR/BA: From two bedrooms, one-and-a-half baths to three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths.
Size: From 925+/- to 1,580+/- square feet
Price: From $299,900 to $439,900
Taxes and condo fees: To be determined
Features of property: Five duplexes in a four-building brick rowhouse development; high ceilings, oversized windows and hardwood floors throughout; chef’s kitchens with granite counters, maple cabinets and stainless steel appliances; baths with travertine marble floors; excellent closet space; washer and dryer hookups; new mechanical systems, including forced air heat; private outdoor space. Air conditioning available as an upgrade.
Close by: Connolly Park, Fort Hill Monument, Longwood Medical area; Jamaica Plain and South End shopping and restaurants; MBTA Jackson Square Orange Line station.
Contact: Megan Kopman, Ballast Realty Group, 1200 Washington St., Boston, MA 02118. Phones: 617-275-5811 (office), 617-309-9495 (cell).
There will be an open house at this property Sunday, July 1, from 1:30 to 3 p.m.
