Leather District lofts are convenient
A year after the Great Fire of 1872, which destroyed nearly 800 buildings in downtown Boston, architect William G. Preston designed the Richardson Block in the Leather District. Its addresses run from 113-151 Pearl St. and 109-119 High St.
The work was for a series of owners, but the Neo-Grecian marble-faced building on Pearl Street presented a uniform appearance. (The High Street façade is brick.)
The entire block was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.
At 137-139 Pearl St., four lofts have been built out on the upper floors. The first floor has retail space. In years past offices and a restaurant were housed within these walls; in the late 19th century businesses that supported a vibrant leather industry nearby were located here.
Keith Shirley and Valerie Pope of Premier Properties of Boston are marketing these lofts, which offer extraordinary space and fine finishes.
Units 1 and 2 are listed at $575,000, and Units 3 and 4, which are duplexes, are offered at $580,000.
The entry to Unit 1 is up a flight of stairs and opens into a huge space with a ceiling height soaring to 12 feet.
In Unit 4 the kitchen is partially defined by a peninsular counter, which holds the sink and dishwasher. It is open to the living room.
The walls are exposed brick; three tall windows look out onto Pearl Street.
This floor-through condo has an inverted L-shaped kitchen, open to the living room, which enhances the sense of spaciousness. The gleaming hardwood flooring unifies the entire area.
The kitchen is furnished with custom-made European cabinets of light wood that have beveled edges and granite-like Corian counters.
The stainless steel appliances are from the G.E. Profile series, including a four-burner gas range, are built against the party wall, and the deep porcelain sink and dishwasher are on the leg of the L-shape of the kitchen.
Beyond the kitchen is quite a large space, which the current occupants have defined as a study area and a bedroom, with three tall windows.
The exposed brick continues in this area too.
The developer, KB & P Properties Inc., has built out the lofts to allow a lot of flexibility, said Post.
The bedroom in Unit 1 could be further expanded, incorporating a den area close to the kitchen.
For example, this area could be divided into two bedrooms and a den. Two closets with double doors are strategically placed in the bedroom and den.
Behind the kitchen is a large utility room with a GE washer and dryer. Next to it is a “Jack and Jill” marble-tiled bath – a pedestal sink and toilet on each side of an oversized, glass-enclosed shower with a rain forest showerhead and tumbled mosaic tiles.
Unit 2 has the identical floor plan and finishes; the ceiling height is almost 11 feet high. A large silver duct is a reminder of its industrial past, and track lighting enhanced by recessed lighting in the kitchen area brightens the lofts, which draw in lots of natural light as well.
Units 3 and 4 have a different configuration as duplexes. In Unit 3, which is at the back of the building, the first level has 538 square feet and the second level, 574 square feet. Both levels have ceilings of approximately 11 feet.
Inside the entry of this unit are a coat closet and a utility closet on the left and a half bath straight ahead.
The master bedroom in Unit 4 is spacious and has a wide double door of glass that opens out to an 18-foot-long balcony.
To the right is an L-shaped kitchen that is open to a large living/dining area.
A spiral staircase ascends to the top floor where there are two bedrooms with two good-sized closets on either side of a hall. A “Jack and Jill” bath serves both bedrooms, and one of the bedrooms has a skylight.
Unit 4 has 533 square feet on the first level and 549 square feet on the top floor, plus a large balcony – 18 by 10 ½ feet – with a stunning view of the glass-encased InterContinental Hotel and Russia Wharf. In the other direction are views of downtown.
On the first level, the entry opens into a grand living/dining area, like that in Units 1 and 2. The kitchen, however, has a peninsula of Corian that separates the living space from the workspace.
At the far end of this unit are a pantry, a half bath and a utility closet. The spiral staircase is opposite the kitchen.
On the upper floor are two large bedrooms, each with two closets, and a “Jack and Jill” bath. A wide double door of glass in the master bedroom opens onto the balcony.
The second bedroom has a skylight.
The snow-covered balcony has an easterly view of the InterContinental Hotel and Russia Wharf. Their glass facades reflect the brick buildings across Atlantic Avenue.
More stairs ascend to the roof, which can be accessed through a hatch. Shirley said that it would be up to the new owners whether they would want to build out a roof deck.
This is a unique location, said Shirley. These lofts are in what was part of the Leather District and on the edge of the Financial District, close to the Rose Kennedy Greenway, the Waterfront, Downtown and Chinatown.
DETAILS
Address: 137-139 Pearl St., Leather District
Unit 1: One bedroom, one bath, 1,201 square feet, $575,000. Condo fee: $278 per month
Unit 2: One bedroom, one baths, 1,218 square feet, $575,000. Condo fee: $278 per month
Unit 3: Two bedrooms, one-and-a-half baths, 1,112 square feet, $580,000. Condo fee: $251 per month
Unit 4: Two bedrooms, one-and-a-half baths, 1,082 square feet, $580,000. Condo fee: $251 per month
Age: 1873; 2007-2008
Taxes: To be determined
Features of building: Completely renovated building with architect-designed interior space to create a New York style; forced hot air by gas heating system; central air conditioning.
Features of units: Sleek lofts with open floor plans, exposed brick, tall windows and high ceilings, chef’s kitchens, in-unit laundries, hardwood flooring.
Close by: Financial District, Federal Reserve, U.S. Moakley Courthouse, Post Office Square; easy access to South Station commuter rail and MBTA Red Line, Routes 93 and 90.
Contact: Keith Shirley or Valerie Post, Premier Properties of Boston, 142 Commercial St., Boston, MA 02109. Phone: 617-723-4240 (office) or 508-277-5873 (Shirley cell) or 617-908,4000 (Post cell).
Website: www.homesboston.com
An open house will be held at this property Sunday, Jan. 31, from 1:15 to 2:15 p.m.
