Waterfront triplex in Navy Yard is far from city's hubbub
Constellation Wharf, a gated condominium community within the Charlestown Navy Yard, defines waterfront.
Visiting on a windy late fall day, you catch the briny whiffs of the surrounding ocean around Constellation Wharf and see boats that haven’t yet been dry-docked for winter, bobbing in the nearby marina.
You could be on an island but remain within sight of the North End, East Boston and downtown’s Financial District. Within this special development of boardwalks and 64 condominiums is a three-bedroom unit currently for sale for $1.15 million, which Tommy Corbett of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage is marketing.
The 2,503-square-foot, three-story condominium is above covered parking. A stairway from the parking area leads to a boardwalk, which functions as a pedestrian boulevard connecting a row of units.
Number 16 has flowers out front and a brown Colonial door. On the surface, it appears for all the world to be a landlocked home.
However, step inside and you immediately see a very comfortable space of a living area with a fireplace and the water shimmering beyond.
The kitchen has a beach cottage feel with white, glass-fronted cupboards, granite counters and stainless appliances.
This entry level has a family room, full bath, storage space and a bedroom that could be used as an office. But the eye-catcher is the view floating behind floor-to-ceiling solid sliding glass doors. A deck off the family room – one of two terraces in the unit -- seems suspended over the harbor.
Ascend carpeted stairs and you are on bi-level floor for relaxing, cooking, and eating alongside spectacular views out to the Boston Harbor. The living room is recessed, down a couple of steps from the dining and kitchen areas, and framed by an utterly unobstructed view.
Not only is it stunningly dramatic but the room itself is comfy, painted a lemony shade with a working fireplace set off by a white mantel.
Transom windows above the large sliders leading to a waterside deck let in light to bathe the room.
You could be at a seaside resort. Remarkably, you are in Charlestown.
Up a couple of stairs, the dining area has a charming built-in upholstered bench and storage cabinets as well as space large enough for a table to seat six.
From the deck off the living room at 16 Constellation Wharf, there’s a world of water at your doorstep.
The current owners also have a large hutch in the dining room displaying china and curios. Of course, this is not included in the sale but it does give a perspective on what can fit into the room.
Off the dining room is a large kitchen of style and charm, with wood floors, dark granite counters and white cabinets, many with glass fronts to give an airy, beachy feel to the roomy area.
Painted a sumptuous sage, this room looks ideal for hanging out, with no apologies, perched at the lavish counter sipping coffee and dreaming of the next sea voyage – or of the fabulous dinner you will whip up.
The appliances, including a double oven, dishwasher and refrigerator, are KitchenAid and stainless.
The dining area features a stylish built-in bench and cabinetry, and, of course, spectacular view.
The centerpiece is a Thermador electric cooktop, set into the granite counter, with five burners. The kitchen also has two sinks. There’s a large pantry, and a half bath is also adjacent.
Leaving the kitchen and going up to the third floor where there are two bedrooms and two baths, the carpeted stairway is awash in the light from four skylights. At 16 Constellation Wharf you will never feel as if you’ve been left in the dark.
The master bedroom, as you might imagine, stares out to sea. The plum-colored room is large with a wall of windows. These include a row of crank-out casements for letting in salt air when you want the refreshment.
A master bath suite is adjacent to the bedroom. This features built-in shelving, drawers, and closet space as well as a charming dressing room, with space for a boudoir table and double sinks.
The bathroom has a heated tile floor and a glass shower with a large rain head.
Constellation Wharf was developed right on the water and inside the old Charlestown Navy Yard in 1987.
The other bedroom on this floor is very appealing and bright, painted soft violet with a window built in a corner that looks out on the distinctive Leonard P. Zakim/Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge, the inlets of the harbor, and the towers of downtown Boston. There is also another tiled bath, with shower.
This condominium is really all about residing on the water, with all the pleasures and drama therein. Also, if you have a desire to live in Boston but away from the hustle and bustle, 16 Constellation Wharf is definitely worth considering because when you enter this pet-friendly condominium complex through a gate with a guard booth, you feel very distant from the Hub’s hubbub.
Situated right on the water, the sea must muffle the noise while the location could not be more ideal for getting to any major roadway quickly. The price of 16 Constellation Wharf includes two covered parking spaces as well as very convenient guest parking.
DETAILS
Address: 16 Constellation Wharf, 16 Ninth St., Charlestown
Price: $1.15 million
Size: 2,503 square feet
Age: 1987
Taxes: $12,618 (FY 2009)
Condo fee: $960 per month
Features of building: Sixty-four-unit condominium complex in Charlestown Navy Yard with 24-hour security and guard gate, garage parking, pet-friendly building.
Features of unit: Triplex condominium with family room with fireplace and deck and office or bedroom and full bath; second level with living room with fireplace, second deck, half bath, kitchen and dining area; top level master bedroom and bath, plus second bedroom with bath; two covered parking spaces.
Close by: The USS Constitution and the USS Constitution Museum and the Marine Museum, all within the Charlestown Navy Yard; local restaurants; City Square; MBTA Orange Line station at Bunker Hill Community College or Orange and Green Lines at North Station; water shuttle at nearby Flagship Wharf; easy access to Logan Airport and Route 93.
Contact: Tommy Corbett, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, One Thompson Square, Charlestown, MA 02129. Phones: 617-242-0025 (office) or 617-515-9707 (cell).
Website: www.newenglandmoves.com
An open house at this property will be held Sunday, Nov. 22, from 11:30 to 12:30 p.m.
