Renovated Boston home boasts smart technology
To declare 7 Exeter St. the most luscious and lavish home for sale in the city might be overstating the case – but not by much.
This single-family home in the middle of Boston’s Back Bay has everything an urban dweller could want: Parking, outdoor areas to admire views, latest “smart home” features, many windows cum skylight, accessibility to city attractions and granite for miles.
Beth Dickerson of Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty has listed this home at $8.95 million.
Dickerson points out that the buyer will take possession of a fully renovated 5,653-square-foot home without having to endure all the inconvenience caused by a lengthy makeover. “People don’t realize how long these masterpieces take,” Dickerson says.
This renovation began in 2004, and the best of the best designers were fully employed, including architect Del Mitchell, a well-known Boston planner who specializes in remaking vintage buildings and sits on the Back Bay Architectural Commission. Mitchell designed the building so the outside looks as good as the inside.
The four-story stand-alone house – at the corner of Public Alley 417 and Exeter Street between Beacon and Marlborough streets – sits on a block of single-family homes, unique for the Back Bay.
The exterior brick has been re-pointed and appears new. Two holly trees are planted out front, with various other greenery and window boxes of flowers.
You ascend a few steps and walk into an entryway fashioned to look like a birdcage. The hall and all the public rooms in the home have recessed lighting used for showcasing artwork.
The front-facing living room on this entry floor is a lovely parlor with elegant moldings, bay windows and fireplace with charming mantel.
Prominent 19th century architects Peabody and Stearns designed this four-story townhouse, which was built by Back Bay developer George Wheatland in 1872.
The adjacent dining room is octagonal with a marble-surround fireplace and unique decorative plasterwork on the ceiling, which recalls the home’s 19th century roots.
The dining room has many unique built-ins, including drawers with silver sleeves for storing cutlery. The dining room windows are covered by shutters with mirrored inserts.
For dinner parties, there is no need to ascend to the kitchen on the lower level.
A complete butler’s pantry with all the latest conveniences is located right across the hallway from the dining room.
And a study also graces this floor, paneled with Anigre wood, with a Juliet balcony and leather-trimmed tray ceiling and many custom built-ins.
Most charming on this first floor is a French Neo-classical jewel-box of a powder room, a petite trianon in this grand home.
Descend to the kitchen and you find a large and light room, with sand-colored custom cabinetry with vintage touches such as bead board paneling on the center island.
The one appliance that catches your eye is the enormous stainless steel Wolf gas stove with overhead microwave.
Every other convenience is concealed in the furniture, including the warming ovens and Sub-Zero refrigerator.
The octagonal dining room with its decorative plaster ceiling evokes the home’s 19th century origins.
There are two sinks and a breakfast bar. The beveled granite slab on the kitchen island looks at least 3-inches thick. There is also a sweet custom white marble table.
A cozy little office space and an outdoor dining area are just off the kitchen. Adjacent to the kitchen is a laundry room as well as a family/media room with much custom cabinetry and built-in bookcases.
On the keypad panel in the kitchen are smart controls for the entire house through which you can adjust all the lights, the temperatures, the home entertainment system and maintain oversight over the property.
If you’re not at home, you can do all this through your computer remotely.
An elevator serving all floors in the home can whisk you from the lower kitchen level to the third floor where there is the master suite, a guest suite and a room that can be used as either a home office or another bedroom.
The master suite is just as you might expect – masterly – large and well-designed with upholstered walls and graceful moldings.
The entire suite is completely sound-proofed.
The kitchen is generous and includes a six-burner Wolf range and many other appliances all concealed by custom cabinetry.
Yet, your shriek of joy might resound when you see the dressing and bathroom areas for the master suite. The closets should really be called rooms and are built out with all sorts of conveniences including shoe molds.
The bathroom is a light marble and glass area with a deep soaking tub and a walk-in shower with frameless glass doors and rain head shower. The mosaic tile on the floors is glass and radiant.
Ascend the polished, curving stairway to the fourth floor, and there are two bedrooms joined by a white marble bath with shower and deep tub. There is also a shared study space.
This top floor is light and bright because of a large skylight in the hallway. Also, a spiral staircase climbs to the skies where a sliding clear bubble, which is wider than most skylight portals, opens to a roof deck overlooking Boston.
DETAILS
Address: 7 Exeter St., Back Bay
BR/BA: Five-plus bedrooms, three full baths, two half baths
Size: 5,653 square feet
Age: 1872; 2004
Price: $8.95 million
Taxes: $35,937
Parking: Two parking spaces; one garage and one covered
Features of home: Completely renovated four-story townhouse, beautifully appointed with granite island, sand-colored custom cabinetry also housing appliances; six-burner Wolf gas range; outdoor eating area; living room with fireplace and elegant moldings; butler’s pantry with high-end appliances and custom cabinetry; octagonal dining room has custom plasterwork on the ceiling to evoke 19th century embellishment; art gallery lighting throughout to display unique pieces; soundproof master bedroom with custom closets and spa bath with shower and soaking tub; guest suite with en suite bath and Juliet balcony; two bedrooms with share marble bath and adjacent study on fourth floor; spiral stairway to spacious roof deck.
Close by: Restaurants, shops and galleries on Newbury and Boylston streets, at Copley Place and Prudential Center; Boston Public Library in Copley Square and French Library on Marlborough Street; Charles River Esplanade and Hatch Shell; Green line at Copley or Convention Center MBTA station; Orange line, commuter rail and Amtrak at Back Bay Station; easy access to Storrow Drive, Route 90.
Contact: Beth Dickerson, Gibson | Sotheby’s International Realty, 69 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116. Phones: 857-362-1700 (office) or 617-510-8565 (cell).
Websites: www.gibsonsothebys.com or www.bethdickerson.com
This property may be seen by appointment.
