Cambridge & Somerville Real Estate Blog - Charles Cherney » elevator http://blog.charlescherney.com Information and insights on residential real estate in Cambridge and Somerville, MA. Sat, 04 Feb 2012 23:51:45 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2 16 Chauncy: Handsome Brick Elevator Building Close to Harvard Square http://blog.charlescherney.com/harvard-square-real-estate/harvard-square-condo/ http://blog.charlescherney.com/harvard-square-real-estate/harvard-square-condo/#comments Sat, 18 Dec 2010 16:32:49 +0000 charles-cherney http://blog.charlescherney.com/?p=1329 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.

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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]]> http://blog.charlescherney.com/harvard-square-real-estate/harvard-square-condo/feed/ 0 TEN Noteworthy New Condo Association Sale Events in Cambridge in 2009 http://blog.charlescherney.com/real-estate-cambridge/noteworthy-condo-sales-cambridge-2009/ http://blog.charlescherney.com/real-estate-cambridge/noteworthy-condo-sales-cambridge-2009/#comments Wed, 28 Apr 2010 12:24:28 +0000 charles-cherney http://blog.charlescherney.com/cambridge-real-estate/ten-noteworthy-new-condo-association-sale-events-in-cambridge-in-2009-part-one-2/ NUMBER TEN
11 Dodge, Riverside.
11 Dodge Unit 1 SOLD for $441,500 on 7/31/09.
5 rooms. 2 bedrooms. 1.5 bathrooms. No parking.
An appealing unit. Nice to have the extra half-bath. It’s too bad that the rear exterior door lacks a window to bring light into the back hall and connect the residence to the outdoor space.
11 Dodge Unit 2 SOLD for $595,000 on 7/15/09.
6 rooms. 3 bedrooms. 2 bathrooms. 2-car tandem parking.
Appealing top floor master bedroom suite.

Dodge Street is a small side street off of Western Avenue near the Charles River. This two-family conversion is notable for its 9′ ceilings, Brazilian cherry floors and interior trim work. The developer gave each unit owner its own exclusive use yard space. The two-car tandem parking was given to the larger and more expensive on the second and third floors.

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NUMBER NINE
70-72 Prince Street, Cambridgeport.
70 Prince SOLD for $475,000 on 6/12/09.
4 rooms. 2 bedrooms. 2 bathrooms. First floor unit.
72 Prince SOLD for $640,000 on 6/12/09.
5 rooms. 3 bedrooms. 2.5 bathrooms. Second and third floor unit.

A quality renovation made up for the lack of parking at this address. The developer even went to the trouble to create a clean and attractive lower level with defined storage areas. Lots of custom woodwork and attention to detail.

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NUMBER EIGHT
45-47-49 Magazine Street, Cambridgeport.
45 Magazine SOLD for $612,500 on 9/12/09.
47 Magazine SOLD for $630,000 on 9/30/09.
Both 45 and 47 Magazine feature 5 rooms, 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, 1-car parking.
49 Magazine SOLD for $710,000 on 7/30/09. Larger unit in rear with 5 rooms, 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 1-car parking.

A restored 1838 Greek Revival. Three townhomes. Picture-perfect from sidewalk. An appealing aspect of this address is its slight elevation from Magazine Street, which is fortunate to have telophone lines buried underground rather than up on poles. It’s nice, too, that the developer landscaped the property so well. Bathroom finishes especially nice here. It’s too bad the second bedrooms could not be a wee bit bigger. Finished lower levels make up for this to some extent.

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NUMBER SEVEN
21-23 Wood Street, Porter Square near Raymond Park.
21-23 Wood Street Unit 1 SOLD for $423,500 on 6/1/09.
21-23 Wood Street Unit 2 SOLD for $418,000 on 4/13/09
21-23 Wood Street Unit 3 SOLD for $408,000 on 4/29/09.

All three units at this address featured 2 bedrooms and 1.5 baths AND 1-car parking. Expansive shared yard. Unit 1 also enjoys an expansive private deck on side of the building with direct access to the unit. Super location close to Raymond Park outside of Porter Square. Appealing open floor plans anchored by gas fireplaces. Superb value.

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NUMBER SIX
378-380-382 NORFOLK STREET
378 Norfolk Street SOLD for $485,000 on 10/23/09.
380 Norfolk Street SOLD for $500,000 on 8/28/09.
382 Norfolk Street SOLD for $540,000 on 8/28/09.

To truly appreciate the renovation of these three townhomes one would need to see the BEFORE pictures of the property. A truly remarkable transformation. Especially appealing is the ceiling height throughout, as well as impressively landscaped rear garden, which includes exclusive-use zones. The developer is to be commended for his commitment to quality at this address, especially given that off-street parking is not included for the residences.

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NUMBER FIVE
378 Boadway, Mid-Cambridge.
Two Free-standing residences.
The front house (renovated Mansard Victorian) SOLD for $1,650,000 on 3/20/09.
What distinguishes this house is the grand ceiling height and substantial entry foyer and central stair. Limited functional outdoor space and only one-car parking.

The rear house (new construction) SOLD for $1,990,000 on 12/17/09.
A contemporary home of stone, steel and glass which you would expect to be featured in Dwell Magazine. Appealing open floor plan with cool, contemporary kitchen. Waterfall in back yard can be turned on with the flick of a switch from the living room.

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NUMBER FOUR
110-112 Amory Street. Inman Square.
Unit 1 SOLD for $459,000 on 10/15/09.
Unit 2 SOLD for $510,000 on 10/15/09.
Unit 3 SOLD for $529,000 on 10/28/09.

I wrote about these three renovated condominiums in 2009. CLICK HERE to read more about them

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NUMBER THREE
Amory Street-St. Mary townhouses, Inman Square.
74 Amory SOLD for $649,000 on 11/24/09.
76 Amory SOLD for $620,000 on 12/10/09.
9 St. Mary Road SOLD for $635,000 on 11/24/09.

I wrote about these three attractively renovated townhouses in 2009. CLICK HERE to read more about them.

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NUMBER TWO
New construction townhomes at 30 Jay, Cambrigeport.
30 Jay #1 SOLD for $900,000 on 7/14/09.
30 Jay #2  SOLD for $815,000 on 1/8/10.
30 Jay #3 SOLD for $888,000 on 8/27/09.
30 Jay #4 SOLD for $788,000 on 10/29/09.

CLICK HERE to read more about the loft-style residences at 30 Jay Street.

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NUMBER ONE
Luxury town home residences at Avon Hill Place, Avon Hill.
12 Lancaster SOLD for $1,290,000 on 12/19/08.
14 Lancaster SOLD for $1,435,000 on 1/5/10.
16 Lancaster SOLD for $1,895,000 on 4/8/09.

Extraordinary luxury town homes on Avon Hill. 14 and 16 Lancaster feature private elevators.

I wrote about 14 Lancaster last year. To learn more about 14 Lancaster, CLICK HERE and ALSO CLICK HERE.

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 and Somerville, MA log in as as new visitor at Cambridge Real Estate.

Stay current with what is happening in Cambridge real estate by following Charles Cherney on Twitter.


The Cambridge Real Estate Blog

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