Three-bedroom St. Botolph condo has great location
St. Botolph Street is a quiet, tree-lined street with brick sidewalks that lies within an architectural conservation district that straddles Back Bay and the South End.
Its development began in the 1880s, when builders constructed single-family rowhouses and brick apartments.
Its name is taken from Boston, England, which was originally called St. Botoph’s Town.
The building at 69 St. Botolph St. looks like the fifth of five similarly built houses of red brick with bay fronts. Courses of yellow brick that are incorporated in the curved lintels add symmetry to the streetscape.
The doorways are arched as well, and at 69 St. Botolph, the high, arched doorway is built of yellow brick as well.
The entrance, however, is recessed. It has a large door with an oval beveled glass inset, flanked by sidelights with ornamental ironwork that complements the iron fence of rings and bars that encloses the front yard.
Above the door is a huge transom that lets light into the vestibule.
The vestibule, lobby and stairwell boast original quarter-sawn oak wainscoting, and the first flight of stairs is marble, all reflecting the craftsmanship of late 19th century builders.
According to city records, this house was built in 1890 for Seth R. Baker, according to the designs of F.H. Jones.
It subsequently became an apartment house before it was converted to five condominiums in 1980.
One of those condominiums, Unit 4, is on the market, and Rob Cohen of Boston Realty Advisors has listed it at $789,000.
The third-floor unit opens into a spacious living/dining room, a step down from the entry landing. The oak floors are shiny.
The light-filled open living room/dining room is a step down from the entry.
The living area features a three-window bay plus a handsome fireplace with a carved wooden mantelpiece and a deep blue-green, Chelsea–like tile surround.
Also at the front of the unit is one of three bedrooms, which has a large closet and a wall of exposed brick.
The dining area has a wall of exposed brick. A thick interior wall, which is open near the ceiling, defines the kitchen, and there is a pass-through from the kitchen to the dining area. A window here draws in natural light.
The kitchen has white cabinetry, trimmed with wood, tan counters and a tile floor.
A stainless steel Fisher & Paykel refrigerator stands out in this galley-like space; the other appliances, including a Kenmore electric range and a Bosch dishwasher are white.
The galley-style kitchen features white cabinetry and appliances, except for the stainless steel refrigerator.
A short hallway from the living/dining area passes the kitchen and a closet with a louvered door that holds mechanicals for the unit and continues to two more bedrooms at the back of this home.
The master bedroom is spacious and has two large windows and a big walk-in closet. The bath has a long vanity with a ceramic sink and a combination tub/shower. Exposed brick is featured here as well, where there are two carved out spaces with shelves for linens.
The large bath also holds a stacked Maytag washer and dryer. A door from the hall opens into the bath, but there is second door that gives access to the master bedroom.
The other bedroom is smaller but has a window and a sizable closet with built-ins.
The master bedroom includes a large walk-in closet and direct access to the bath.
This home is close to everything without being on a main thoroughfare. Newbury Street, Copley Place, the Prudential Center and Restaurant Row are within walking distance, as is the MBTA’s Green Line at the Prudential station.
DETAILS
Address: 69 St. Botolph St., Unit 4, Back Bay
BR/BA: Three bedrooms, one bath
Size: 1,330 square feet
Age: 1890; 1980; recent updates
Price: $789,000
Taxes: $6,641 (with residential exemption)
Condo fee: $182 per month
Features of building: Handsome five-unit Renaissance Revival brick building with bay windows; central air conditioning; pet-friendly.
Features of unit: Light-filled three-bedroom, flow-through unit with open living/dining area; fireplace with carved wooden mantel and tile surround; exposed brick; galley-like kitchen with window and pass-through; gleaming oak flooring; bath with doors from hallway and master bedroom; in-unit washer/dryer.
Close by: Symphony Hall, Christian Science world headquarters, 101 Huntington, Prudential Center and Back Bay shops, restaurants, hotels, Museum of Fine Arts, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Fenway Park; within walking distance of MBTA Orange and Green Lines; easy access to Storrow Drive and Route 90.
Contact: Rob Cohen, Boston Realty Advisors, 715 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02116. Phones: 617-850-9618 (office) or 617-962-0142 (cell).
Website: www.bradvisors.com
This property may be seen by appointment.
