Waterworks residence is lavish
Everything old is new again as the former pumping station facing the Chestnut Hill Reservoir has been converted to breathtaking condominiums.
The Museum Residences at The Waterworks is comprised of four lavish homes, with all manner of luxury appurtenances, with a stunning location nestled into gracious landscaping and near to all Boston and Brookline benefits.
The Museum Residences are part of a complex on the site of the old Chestnut Hill Waterworks, an architectural showcase that served as a pumping station in the Golden Age of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
These days, our utility buildings are nameless and functional. Back in the day, water flowed to the city in fine style. The site, designated a Boston landmark in 1989, is also listed on the National Register and State Register of Historic Places. The Boston Redevelopment Authority released the land for development of condos and office space.
A new condo building, the Watermark, is done and people now live there.
Two other vintage renovated buildings on the site – the former carriage house now called Waterford and Whitehall, a Beaux-Arts-style former pumping station, have also been converted and occupied.
The Museum Residences is the last piece in this development. Plans by fabled modern architect Graham Gund have informed the entire development and inspired the interior spaces.
The spacious dining room flows into the living room.
The Museum Residences are so named because half of the historic building will be used to showcase the gargantuan piping assemblages that pumped the water onward.
A museum, with café, is scheduled to open after the four townhomes are complete.
Actually, the brownstone and granite building is a museum by itself. Designed by Arthur H. Vinal (the city of Boston’s architect from 1884 to 1887), the building is a classic Richardsonian Romanesque, with graceful arches and sturdy statements, echoing Trinity Church in Copley Square.
Just as the The Museum Residences/Waterworks building is large and imposing so are the residences, named after the steam engines that ran the water pumps.
The townhome at 2442 Beacon St., which is currently for sale at $3.3 million, is known as the Allis. At 4,300 square feet, the Allis presents a vast amount of space for a family or single owner, but every inch is comfortable and accommodating.
You enter the Allis via its own entrance by the side of The Museum Residences. There are a couple of quick parking spaces right at the front door but the place where the owner will no doubt keep his or her car – or cars – is in the spacious attached garage, which holds up to three vehicles. This garage space is spotless and could also be used for storage.
The front entryway, with a floor of with marble tiles, is now painted with a soothing trompe l’oeil mural showing the reservoir and the Waterworks, with architectural details. You then move into a large hallway with the garage entry, an electrical closet, and storage space.
This lower level is also where you find a full bath as well as the media room, with wood floors and set apart from the rest of the house so no noise intrudes on viewing or listening pleasure.
Next to the media room is a door for the three-level home’s own elevator.
A working fireplace is a focal point in the living room.
The stairs up to the living level are wide with curved polished banisters.
The middle level or second floor is spacious with two and one half baths, a living area, dining space, open kitchen and two bedrooms with en-suite baths for those guests who want to fall into bed after a gourmet meal.
The open living room has a working fireplace, hardwood floors and dramatic, large windows with 12 panes over 12 panes.
The living area flows into the dining space, which is large enough to accommodate a table for eight. An attractive wrought-iron chandelier is already in place. In this open flow area, the kitchen is the touchstone.
Miele luxury appliances – refrigerator, stove, microwave, and cooktop – dress up the kitchen. Coffee-colored Alno cabinets from the Boston Design Center and a recessed sink give the space a very clean look. A white marble-covered center island offers easy food preparation, as well as an under-counter wine cooler.
A half bath off the kitchen is lined with white Carrara marble as are the two full baths on this floor. Both baths have glass shower spaces; one has a rain head shower. Two large bedrooms provide comfort for family and guests.
These rooms are carpeted with soft Berber wool loop. One bedroom has a patio door that leads to an iron balcony overlooking the Green Line tracks and the woods beyond.
Climb the stairs or take the elevator to the third level. At the top of the stairs is a reading alcove under the eaves, which is large enough for a small party. At the end of the hallway is the cavernous master bedroom, which could not only accommodate a bed but couches and chairs and a home office.
The master bath is also large, with a Kohler Sok tub and a glass shower big enough for two, with twin sinks sporting brushed nickel fixtures. The toilet occupies its own little room.
This residence at Waterworks is ideal for anyone who wants the luxury of space in an historic building where every time you come home you’ll be and soothed by the surroundings.
DETAILS
Address: 2442 Beacon St., Chestnut Hill
Price: $3.3 million
Size: 4,300 +/- square feet
Age: 1888; 2006-2008
Taxes: $28,000 (approximate, without residential exemption)
Condo fee: $1,857 per month
Features of home: Three-story townhome with elevator and staircase; high-end appliances in kitchen with marble-topped center island; hardwood floors throughout except Berber wool loop carpeting in bedrooms; sumptuous master bath; master bedroom with sitting area; media room on ground level; reading alcove on third level; pet friendly; deeded parking for three cars.
Close by: Chestnut Hill Reservoir, Boston College, shops and restaurants in Brookline or Cleveland Circle, MBTA Green Line. Easy access to Mass. Turnpike and Route 95/128.
Contact: Beth Ferrari, sales director, the Waterworks at Chestnut Hill, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467. Phone: 617-731-9200. Web site: www.liveatwaterworks.com
