Cambridge & Somerville Real Estate Blog - Charles Cherney » Harvard Square Real Estate

988 Memorial Drive: Brick Elevator Building in Harvard Square

charles-cherney — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 15:42:29 +0000

View from 988 Memorial Drive

I served as the listing broker at Hammond Real Estate for each of these one-bedroom residences at 988 Memorial Drive in Harvard Square. These condos are NOW SOLD. These three condos at Barrington Court are conveniently located in a brick elevator building in Harvard Square, overlooking the Charles River:

988 Memorial Drive, Unit 388. SOLD for$459,000. This one-bedroom, one-bath residence on the third floor features a river view. Highlights of the residence include a renovated kitchen with stainless steel appliances, granite counter and maple cabinets, as well as an updated bathroom with heated floor. California closets found throughout. A premiere residence in the buidling.

988 Memorial Drive, Unit 581 SOLD for$388,000. This one-bedroom, one-bath residence is reported to feature 685 square feet of living area. The excellent layout includes an entry foyer, spacious living room with built-in book case, dining area off the kitchen, and good-sized bedroom with two closets.

988 Memorial Drive, Unit 582 SOLD for$360,000. This one-bedroom, one-bath residence is reported to feature 635 square feet of living area. What distinguishes the layout is the expansive open plan main living area with large windows with wood shutters and dining area with glass-fronted cabinets. The bedroom is a well-proportioned and close to the bath.

If you are considering buying or selling at 988 Memorial Drive or elsewhere in Cambridge, I am here to help. I can be reached at ccherney@hammondre.com or 617-733-8937. I am a Harvard graduate, a Cambridge resident and a top broker in the city since 1999.

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Find a Home near Harvard University with Top Cambridge Realtor who is a Harvard Alum

charles-cherney — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 12:24:28 +0000

If you are considering buying or selling a home near Harvard University, I would be delighted to be of assistance. I am a Harvard graduate, Cambridge resident and a top broker in Cambridge since 1999. I can be reached at ccherney@hammondre.com or at 617-733-8937.

Over the last ten years I have greatly enjoyed assisting Harvard professors, Harvard students and fellow Harvard alums with buying and selling in Cambridge. I have enjoyed working with Harvardians and their families at Harvard Law School, Harvard Business School, The Kennedy School, Harvard College and at the Harvard graduate schools – all Harvard connections are welcome! Always a pleasure to work with members of the Harvard family – past, present and future!

One Harvard professor I worked with writes the following: “Charles Cherney was consummately professional in his work with us. He kept us regularly informed about possible properties as we searched for just the right house. It was a pleasure to work with him throughout the process and he has our strong recommendation for anyone seeking a principled, knowledgeable, efficient and client-orientated real estate professional.”

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14 Concord Unit 216: One-bedroom Condo Close to Harvard Square

charles-cherney — Sun, 01 May 2011 09:16:43 +0000

Light-filled living room at 14 Concord Unit 216.

14 Concord Unit 216 SOLD in 2011 - I was the listing broker. It is a one-bedroom condo located close to Harvard Square in a brick elevator building known as Continental Gardens. According to the online assessor’s database for the city of Cambridge, the 48-unit building was built in 1970.

14 Concord Unit 216 is located on the second floor, which is the front entry level of the building. Situated on the rear side, the residence is light-filled and has an open and inviting feeling. Highlights here include an updated kitchen with stainless steel appliances and an intelligent floor plan. Measuring 628 square feet in size, this one-bedroom feels larger, given the eight-foot ceiling height and ample natural light from the larger windows found both in the main living room and big bedroom.

Charming updated kitchen at 14 Concord Unit 216.

There is also ample closet space throughout, a rarity in a one-bedroom of this size. In addition, there is a storage area on the lower level. The interior of 14 Concord Unit 216 is freshly painted and the circuit breaker panel for the unit is brand new (2011).

Heating and cooling units, replaced in the last several years, are found in both the living room and bedroom. Making this offering even more appealing, the seller is offering a credit at closing for the condo fee for Unit 216 for all remaining months of 2011. By now and save!

Spacious bedroom with ample closet space.

According to the management company for the building, 34 of the 48 units in the building are owner-occupied. There is an on-site super during the day on weekdays. Common laundry is found on the lower level.

For information on current offerings in Cambridge, please contact me at ccherney@hammondre.com or 617-733-8937. I am a Harvard graduate, Cambridge resident and a top broker in the city since 1999.

14 Concord Avenue outside of Harvard Square.

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42 Ivaloo – Inviting Mansard Victorian with Contemporary Addition by Charles Rose Architects

charles-cherney — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 12:15:30 +0000

42 Ivaloo - classic Mansard Victorian. . .

Just over the Cambridge-Somerville line is an inviting Mansard Victorian with a cool contemporary addition by Charles Rose Architects. The address is 42 Ivaloo Street, Somerville. The house is now listed for sale with Hammond Real Estate, and I am the listing broker for 42 Ivaloo in Somerville.

Ivaloo Street is off of Beacon Street. Located close to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 42 Ivaloo is conveniently situated between Harvard, Porter and Inman Squares. The house itself is well-sited on a spacious 4,650 square foot lot. The landscaped grounds feature a private bluestone patio and rear garden, as well a separate two-story garage building. There is also parking for two cars in the driveway. Inside, the house features 3 bedrooms plus a study, 2.5 bathrooms and 2,033 square feet of living space. The house features central air conditioning.

and a cool, contemporary addition in back. (photo by Steve Meyer)

Restored in the last ten years, 42 Ivaloo is a handsome classic Mansard Victorian from the street. However, in 2007, the house was reinvented with a masterful modern addition by Charles Rose Architects. Located on the rear of the house, the addition introduces a family room on the main living level, a master bedroom suite on the second floor, and a magical home office with Murphy bed up top. Charles Rose Architects has perfectly integrated the house with the private outdoor space for the maximum enjoyment of light and sky and nature in this most bucolic setting in the heart of it all.

The main living level at 42 Ivaloo features an elemental floor plan. An inviting entry foyer with double doors leads to the spacious kitchen, as well as into the bay-windowed front living room with gas fireplace and corner custom-built-in. This room is distinguished by its ceiling height and good dimensions. It is ideally suited for entertaining.

Living room with bay window and crown moulding. There is also a gas fireplace and custom built-in in the living room, which opens to the dining room and front entry hall.



The kitchen at 42 Ivaloo features an oversized center island, ample cabinets, granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. Off the kitchen is the half-bath with window. Open to the kitchen is the full-size dining room, which, like the living room, features crown mouldings. The dining room also steps down to the family room on the back of the house.

Dining room at 42 Ivaloo opens onto kitchen and living room and family room.

The family room now serves as the perfect playroom overlooking the yard.

The family room at 42 Ivaloo now serves as a perfect playroom, with nearly ten-foot ceilings, cork floor, built-in bench with pull-out drawers for toy storage, and oversized doors allowing for direct access to the private yard and patio area. The glass really makes the indoor-outdoor one continuum on this side of the house. It’s rare to feel this close to nature, especially in the city.

One can imagine this room making for a perfect artist’s studio. The options are truly limitless with such an open and airy space. It’s hard to bring oneself to leave this room when visiting 42 Ivaloo. When one does venture outside, there is a most inviting enclosed bluestone patio and yard, as well as separate two-story garage outbuilding. It’s rare in the city to find such a large enclosed area, which will appeal to families with children and dog owners. Presently, the back yard is a well maintained space with ample planting beds and mature plantings.

Private back yard garden at 42 Ivaloo is a world apart.

Charming bedroom at 42 Ivaloo.

Not to be outdone at 42 Ivaloo are the second and third floors. At the top of the stairs on the second floor,one finds a skylit landing. Several charming bedrooms and a full bath are off of this light-filled space. It is an appealing feature of this home that there are three bedrooms and two full baths all found on the second floor.

Masterful master bedroom.

Master bath at 42 Ivaloo

Also on the second floor – in the back as part of the new addition - is the master bedroom suite. The master bath is distinguished by a skylight and glass-tiled shower. The master bedroom itself includes custom-built-in drawers as well as two closets, one of which is a walk-in. In the main bedroom, a unique placement of oversized windows meet at the corner. These windows can be covered by custom floor-to-ceiling drapes. The room has a contemporary European flavor, accented by the German halogen reading lamps either side of the bed.

On the top floor at 42 Ivaloo is perhaps the most stunning room of all – an office-study with custom built-in desk with two work stations and cabinetry and shelves. This is the ultimate office for someone working from home. The space is also quite practical, with a Murphy bed which folds down to allow the room to serve as a guest suite. With the ceiling height and many oversized windows, the space feels close to the sky and apart from the rest of the house. This is one of the best small rooms I have ever seen.

Stunning top floor home office which also includes Murphy bed.

42 Ivaloo in Somerville has now SOLD. For assistance with buying or selling in Cambridge or Somerville, I am here to help. I am the listing broker for 42 Ivaloo. I can be reached at ccherney@hammondre.com or 617-733-8937.

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Bluestone patio in back yard.

Kitchen with center island at 42 Ivaloo Street.

16 Chauncy: Handsome Brick Elevator Building Close to Harvard Square

charles-cherney — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 16:32:49 +0000

16 Chauncy Street – Enjoy the luxury of living ten minutes from Harvard Yard in a handsome brick elevator building located on a pleasant side street between Harvard & Porter Squares.

Notable among the residents of 16 Chauncy Street over the years is author Vladimir Nabokov. In her book on the history of 16 Chauncy, authore and former 16 Chauncy resident Ann Petrone notes that in 1956, Nabokov lived in unit 10, shortly after the publication of Lolita. Nabokov’s time in residence here is duly noted by a plaque near the entrance to the building:

The Blackall family bought “a fine modern mansion in the Colonial style” at 16 Chauncy Street in 1903. As Clarence Blackall later recalled, “We lived in this house for 24 years, some of the happiest years of our lives.” Petrone includes photos of this family manse in her book on the history of 16 Chauncy Street. The pictures certainly do suggest that the home was big and comfortable and well-built. For sure, this was a different time in Cambridge – one photo in the book shows a young Robert Blackall feeding a carrot to a neighboring cow on Mr. Abbot’s field!On April 12, 1929, The Cambridge Chronicle reported that “Mr. Blackall has decided to give up his house entirely, tear it down and construct in place thereof an apartment house.” As Petrone points on in her book, “Great care was taken to incorporate much of the original woodwork from the mansion into the new apartment house.” The Blackalls planned to make their home in one of the larger penthouse apartments in the new building. Alas, the building was completed in September 1929 – a few weeks before the financial panic set in which led to the Great Depression. Eventually, in 1939, the building was purchased by the nearby Hotel Continental and renamed the Continental Manor Apartments.

View of inviting reading nook with custom built-ins at unit 15 at 16 Chauncy outside of Harvard Square.

16 Chauncy Street #15 has now SOLD. If you are interested in learning about condos now for sale at 16 Chauncy or elsewhere in Cambridge, I am here to help. I can be reached at ccherney@hammondre.com or 617-733-8937. I am a Harvard graduate, a Cambridge resident and a top broker in the city since 1999.

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2 & 4 Avon Street, Cambridge: Condos Close to Harvard Quad

charles-cherney — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 13:29:28 +0000

2 &4 Avon Street is a 16-unit stucco building close to the Harvard Quad and just outside Harvard Square. The building sits at the corner of Shepard Street and Avon Street.

On February 2, 2010, a top floor corner unit with two bedrooms and one bath was listed for sale for $415,000. Features include maple floors and a private balcony. On March 10, 2010, it was reported in MLS that this unit sold for $427,500.

If you are considering buying or selling at 2-4 Avon Street or elsewhere in Cambridge, I am here to help. I can be reached at ccherney@hammondre.com or 617-733-8937 or by clicking on CONTACT ME on the left side of your screen. I am a Harvard graduate, a Cambridge resident and a top broker in the city since 1999.

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931 Massachusetts Avenue: Elevator Building between Harvard and Central Squares

charles-cherney — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 11:00:28 +0000

931 Massachusetts Avenue – is a concierge elevator building on Massachusetts Avenue between Harvard and Central Squares built in 1989 and reported to have 53 units.

If you are considering buying or selling at 931 Massachusetts Avenue or elsewhere in Cambridge, I am here to help. I can be reached at ccherney@hammondre.com or 617-733-8937. I am a Harvard graduate, a Cambridge resident and a top broker in the city since 1999.

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950 Massachusetts Avenue: Bay Square Building in Mid-Cambridge

charles-cherney — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 14:17:52 +0000

950 Massachusetts Avenue – the Bay Square Building – is an elevator building with over 100 residential condominiums, conveniently located between Central and Harvard Squares. The building was built in 1989 according to the online assessor’s database for the City of Cambridge.

Pool at 950 Massachusetts Avenue - Bay Square Building

Residents of Bay Square enjoy 24-hour concierge service, garage parking, and a pool & fitness area. Easy access to shops, restaurants, and Cambridge amenities also make this an appealing address. Ideal location for someone at Harvard or MIT or commuting on the Red Line to Boston.

In 2009, I listed and sold an 815 square foot 1-bedroom with garage parking at 950 Mass Ave for $445,000.

If you are considering buying or selling at 950 Massachusetts Avenue or elsewhere in Cambridge, I am here to help. I can be reached at ccherney@hammondre.com or 617-733-8937. I am a Harvard graduate, a Cambridge resident and a top broker in the city since 1999.

To gain instant access to photos and descriptions of all MLS properties now for sale in Cambridge, MA log in as as new visitor at Cambridge Real Estate.

Have you seen the online pinboard about Cambridge, Massachusetts? Bookmark www.CambridgePinboard.com!

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Discover the Cambridge For Sale Channel on YouTube!!!

charles-cherney — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 08:15:28 +0000

Visit www.CambridgeVideos.com.

Please note – if you are on an older computer or have a slower connection, your video stream may come in slowly, stopping and starting. If that is the case, allow the video to play through and then return later and click on REPLAY to see it through in one continuous uninterrupted stream.

If you are considering buying or selling in Cambridge, I am here to help. I can be reached at ccherney@hammondre.com or 617-733-8937. I am a Harvard graduate, a Cambridge resident and a top broker in the city since 1999.

To gain instant access to photos and descriptions of all MLS properties now for sale in Cambridge, MA log in as as new visitor at Cambridge Real Estate.

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15 Trowbridge, Cambridge: Condos in Harvard Square

charles-cherney — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 08:40:28 +0000

15 Trowbridge is a 13-unit condo association close to Harvard Square, in the block between Massachusetts Avenue and Harvard Street. In my visits to see and show units for sale in the building over the last several years, I have always been struck by the above average ceiling height, which makes for a spacious and comfortable feeling inside. According to the City of Cambridge online assessor’s database, the building was built in 1905.

If you are considering buying or selling at 15 Trowbridge or elsewhere in Cambridge, I am here to help. I can be reached at ccherney@hammondre.com or 617-733-8937. I am a Harvard graduate, a Cambridge resident and a top broker in the city since 1999.

To gain instant access to photos and descriptions of all MLS properties now for sale in Cambridge, MA log in as as new visitor at Cambridge Real Estate.

Have you checked out the Cambridge For Sale Channel on YouTube?

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