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Welcome to Centers and Squares
As a Cambridge real estate agent, the city squares of Cambridge, Somerville and Medford and the town centers of Arlington, Watertown and Belmont, Massachusetts are my home turf. And as a lifelong New Englander who’s lived within twenty miles of Boston most of my life, I can introduce you to other nearby towns as we search for your new home. If you’re planning to sell your home in Cambridge, MA or nearby you’ll find plenty of info about the home selling process here too. Questions? Send me an email or call me at 617-504-1737.
Condos at 138-140 Huron Ave Cambridge
138 - 140 Huron Avenue Cambridge Mass
138-140 Huron Ave in Cambridge MA is a 12-unit building built in 1888 that was renovated and converted to condos in 2003.
Most of the units are two-room studio / one-bedrooms or small two-bedroom condos. Most are sized between 375 and 760 sq.ft. with one larger condo that includes finished lower level space.
The building is at the intersection of Concord Ave about a mile from Harvard Square or Porter Square. The shops and restaurants of Huron Village are close by.
138-140 Huron Ave Features
- Oak floors
- Maple cabinets and granite counters in the kitchen
- Storage and common laundry
- Each condo has a deep parking space that holds two cars
- Condo fee includes heat and hot water
Recent Sales of Condos at 138-140 Huron Ave Cambridge
In 2009:
- A 507 sq.ft. unit sold for $279,000
- A 627 sq.ft. two-bedroom condo sold for $312,000
If condos are available in the building they’ll appear below. Click on the small photo for more information and additional photographs.
138-140 Huron Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138.
C.S. Manegold Speaks In Newton About Ten Hills Farm
Ten Hills Farm by C.S. Manegold
C.S. Manegold, author of the new book, Ten Hills Farm: The Forgotten History of Slavery In the North, will speak tomorrow night, Monday, March 1st, in Newton.
The talk is part of the lecture series Encountering Slavery and Race in New England and is funded by the Foundation for Racial, Ethnic & Religous Harmony.
Ten Hills Farm was a six-hundred acre farm that stretched across parts of Medford and Somerville. The farm was owned by three families – the Winthrops, the Ushers, and the Royalls – all of whom owned slaves are were tied to the slave trade. The Royall House and slave quarters, built in the 1730s, is close to Medford Square.
C.S. Manegold will speak at the Myrtle Baptist Church, 21 Curve Street, West Newton at 7 p.m. on March 1, 2010. Admission is free. For more information please call Historic Newton at 617-796-1450.
I just bought Ten Hills Farm last night and look forward to an eye opening read. I’ll post about it when I’m done.
Glass Factory Condos – 169 Monsignor O’Brien Highway
The Glass Factory at 169 Monsignor O’Brien Highway is an eight-story building with 104 condos. The condos were renovated in 2004 when the building was converted from apartments. There are two-room studios, one and two-bedroom condos.
The Glass Factory Condos - 169 Monsignor O'Brien Highway
While the name suggests that the building was used as a factory of some sort I haven’t been able to document that. Records show that the building was originally an office building built in 1925, owned by the Boston and Maine Railroad. I’d love to learn about the factory connection if anybody knows the scoop.
The Glass Factory is in East Cambridge near the Lechmere T station and very close to downtown Boston. The Cambridgeside Galleria mall, the Charles River, and the Museum of Science are nearby.
Residents have created on online forum for the building.
Glass Factory Condos Feature
- Elevator building
- Central air conditioning
- Huge windows
- Concierge service
- Business Center
- Club room
- Media Room
- Fitness Center with Nautilus exercise equipment
- Some condos have garage or outdoor parking
- Some condos have in-unit laundry
- Heat and hot water included in the condo fee
- Pets allowed with restrictions
Recent Glass Factory Sales - 169 Monsignor O’Brien Highway
- A two room studio without parking sold for $241,000 in Dec. 2009
- A one-bedroom condo without parking sold for $298,000 in Jan. 2009
- Several two-bedroom, two-bath condos with garage or outdoor parking have sold in the last year. Several were foreclosed or short sale units. Sale prices ranged from $350,000 to $475,000
If condos are available in the building they’ll appear below. Click on the small photo for more information and additional photgraphs.
The Glass Factory Condominiums are located at 169 Monsignor O’Brien Highway, Cambridge, MA 02141
Gospel Music Concert – Chevalier Theatre in Medford
Celebrate Black History Month on Saturday with a gospel music concert
In honor of Black History Month, there will be a free gospel music concert at the Chevalier Theatre in Medford this Saturday.
Presented by the Somerville Community Baptist Church, the Community Gospel Choir will perform with a live band and other instrumentalists accompanying. Joe Fitzgerald, Boston Herald columnist, will be master of ceremonies.
The Community Gospel Choir is a volunteer group with members from several area churches. Stacie Clayton, Choral Director at the Somerville Community Baptist Church, is the choir director.
Admission is free. Donations accepted.
“We’ve Come This Far By Faith”, a gospel music concert, will take place Saturday, Feb. 27. 2010 at 5 p.m. at the Chevalier Theatre, 30 Forest St., Medford MA.
The theatre is between the Post Office and the Medford High School condos.
Fresh Pond Greenway – Condos at 773 Concord Ave Cambridge
Fresh Pond Greenway Condos - 773 Concord Avenue, Cambridge
Fresh Pond Greenway at 773 Concord Avenue, Cambridge MA is a 25-unit condo building built in 2006. The four-story building was built to Energy Star standards. You’re sure to save on your energy bills here since the building is 30% better insulated than required by state building codes.
Cambridge real estate buyers will appreciate the access to Fresh Pond Reservation across the street and the proximity to the Red Line subway station at Alewife. Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, a movie theatre, and more are nearby.
Fresh Pond Greenway Features
- One to three-bedroom condos, 680-1449 sq.ft.
- Elevator
- Garage parking and guest parking
- In unit washer and dryer
- Central air conditioning
- Eco friendly dual flush toilets (the first time toilets have made my features lists!!)
- Kitchens with granite counters, stainless steel Energy Star appliances, and shaker style maple cabinets
- Pet friendly
- Outside common area for grilling
Condo Sales at 773 Concord Ave – Fresh Pond Greenway
- Fresh Pond Greenway condos sold for prices between $282,500 and $584,000.
- In 2008, a 686 sq.ft. one-bedroom condo sold for $287,000
- In 2008, a 1427 sq.ft. three-bedroom condo sold for $500,000
More Cambridge Condominiums
Cambridge Condos With Swimming Pools
Newport Road Condos in Porter Square
And if you want more – click on the Property Info link below for lots more condo overviews.
The Fresh Pond Greenway condos are at 773 Concord Avenue, Cambridge Mass 02138.
Condos In Renovated Churches
Churches and synagogues converted to condos often result in dramatic spaces with soaring ceilings, beautiful oversized windows and preserved architectural details. A number of former churches have been turned into condos in Cambridge, Somerville and Watertown. Loft buyers will appreciate the wide open spaces in these reused buildings.
Converted Churches and Synagogues in Cambridge
99 Otis St Cambridge Lofts
99 Otis Street Cambridge
The Saint Hedwig Church was built in 1939 and converted to condos in 1998. There are four multi-level lofts and heated garage parking. Condos range in size from 1308 to 2017 sq.ft. Two units were on the market this year for $689,000 and $699,000.
CHECK FOR AVAILABLE CONDOS AT 99 OTIS ST
101 3rd St Cambridge Condos
101 Third Street, East Cambridge – James Greene Condos
The church at 101 Third Street in East Cambridge is one of the oldest church buildings in Cambridge. Built in 1827 as a Unitarian church it became the Holy Cross Church in 1940. In 2000 it was converted to four luxury condos. The condos ranged in size from 1300 to 3160 sq.ft. and sold for $585,000 to $1,300,000.
CHECK FOR CONDOS FOR SALE AT 101 THIRD ST
238 Columbia St
238 Columbia Street – Art Space Condos
In 1901 the first synagogue was built in Cambridge at 238 Columbia Street. The Beth Israel Synagogue was converted to ten artists’ live / work lofts in the early 1980s. Condo buyers do not need to be artists to buy in the building. A 1115 sq.ft. unit sold in 2009 for $420,000.
CHECK FOR CONDOS FOR SALE AT 238 COLUMBIA ST
Converted Churches in Somerville
Renovated Church in Davis Sq
Orange Hall Lofts – 7 Park Avenue
The former church at 7 Park Avenue in the heart of Davis Square was converted to three enormous lofts in 2000. Condos range in size from 3522 to 6136 sq.ft.
CHECK FOR LOFTS FOR SALE AT 7 PARK AVE, SOMERVILLE
Sanctuary Lofts
The Sanctuary Lofts – 60 Tufts St Somerville
The Sanctuary, 17 loft condos in a former church with a new modern addition, was developed in 2000. The church structure was built in 1869 as the First Universalist Church and then became the Orpheum Theatre in 1916. The lofts have ceilings as high as 30′ and many have multi-level layouts. In 2008 a 1446 sq.ft. condo sold for $395,000 and a foreclosed unit sold for $310,000.
CHECK FOR SANCTUARY CONDOS FOR SALE
1 Summer St Somerville
1 Summer Street Somerville
The First Methodist Church in Union Square was built in the 1860s and converted to seven condos in 2006. Condos range in size from 1200 to 4574 sq.ft. and ceiling heights in some of the units soar to 60 ft. Each condo has garage parking and there is an elevator. A 2465 sq.ft. three-bedroom condo sold for $850,000 in 2007.
CHECK FOR CONDOS FOR SALE AT 1 SUMMER ST
Churches Converted to Condos In Watertown
Two large churches have recently been converted to condominiums in Watertown MA.
Bell Tower Place
Bell Tower Place Condos – 444 Mount Auburn St
The former St. Theresa’s Church has been converted to seven condominiums with two additional units in the former rectory. Condos have high end finishes, central air conditioning, a fireplace, and garage parking. Much of the interior detail in the 100-year old church has been incorporated into these stunning condos. Bell Tower Place is marketed by Hammond Residential.
SEE CONDOS FOR SALE AT BELL TOWER PLACE
Renovated Church in Watertown
Mount Auburn Village – 134 Mt Auburn Street
Eight of the 14 units at Mount Auburn Village near Watertown Square are in the former First Baptist Church. The condos have dramatic layouts with one unit featuring amazing views from the former bell tower. The condos are listed by Gail Roberts of Coldwell Banker in Cambridge.
SEE CONDOS FOR SALE AT MOUNT AUBURN VILLAGE
Like the idea of living in a former church? How about a former school? Check out:
Condos in Renovated Schools in Medford
Cambridge and Somerville Renovated School Condos
Celebrate Longfellow’s Birthday This Saturday
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow of Cambridge
This Saturday, Feb. 27th is Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s birthday. Longfellow was born on Feb. 27, 1807. He lived for many years in Cambridge on Brattle Street and is buried at Mount Auburn Cemetery.
Mount Auburn Cemetery is celebrating the Cambridge poet’s birthday with an event that also marks this year’s 150th anniversary of Longfellow’s poem “Paul Revere’s Ride”.
Longfellow wrote the poem in 1860 and it was published in the January 1861 issue of The Atlantic Monthly. “Listen my children and you shall hear of the midnight ride of Paul Revere …”, the poem has long been a favorite of school children who learn a version substantially shorter than the original.
The poem was also a favorite of the late Ted Kennedy who narrated the poem for the Boston Landmarks Orchestra’s premiere of “Paul Revere’s Ride”.
The birthday celebration at Mount Auburn at the Story Chapel will include a multi-media presentation of Kennedy’s narration. Coffee and tea will be served at 9:30 a.m. Following the presentation a wreath will be laid at Longfellow’s grave, and then birthday cake will be served at the Chapel.
Admission is free.
The Longfellow birthday celebration will be held on Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 9:30 a.m. at Story Chapel, Mount Auburn Cemetery. 580 Mount Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA.
For information call 617-601-1981.
37 Lancaster Street Cambridge MA – An Avon Hill Masterpiece
37 Lancaster Street Cambridge MA – An Avon Hill Masterpiece. Old and untouched houses are my weakness. The less done to a house over the years the happier I am with it.
For years, whenever I walked or drove past 37 Lancaster Street on Avon Hill I would think to myself that one of the many reasons I loved being a real estate agent in Cambridge was that someday I would get to see inside that amazing house.
37 Lancaster Street Cambridge Mass
Well, a few weeks ago, someday finally came. John Petrowsky and Christian Jones of Hammond Real Estate listed the Yerxa-Field House for sale and held an open house for brokers. Cambridge real estate agents turned out en masse to see the house, a number bringing spouses who, like me, had long dreamed of seeing the inside of this landmark house.
The house was every bit as extraordinary as people had imagined, leaving at least one agent in tears, overcome by its beauty (no – it wasn’t me - I’m not the crying type!).
The reading nook off the living room. An exquisite stained glass window is on the left wall
37 Lancaster Street was built in 1888 for Henry Yerxa and is an example of Shingle Style architecture. When it was sold to the Field family in 1919 many original furnishings remained with the house, giving us a rare glimpse of how people lived 12o years ago. Walking through the house it seemed that the children’s books of the 1880s and 1890s that I loved as a girl had come to life.
The two families that have owned the house kept extraordinary care of this masterpiece. Shades were pulled to prevent sun damage and the lavish finishes on walls and ceilings in room after room are in superb condition. There are nine different types of wood used for the woodwork throughout the house and it is all in impeccable condition.
Everywhere you look there is incredibly rich detail – far too much too describe here. Window seats, built-ins galore, fine paneling, hand carved details - the house is a feast for the eyes. Here are a few of my favorite things:
37 Lancaster Street, Cambridge – A Few of Many Fine Features
- There are ten fireplaces in the house, each with a different fire back, each with a different set of andirons that match the light fixtures in the room.
- The reading nook off the living room is one of my favorite spaces with a large stained glass window and a window seat to curl up on with a book
- The laundry room has eight soapstone sinks in a row, each with two brass faucets, and at the end of the row of sinks, a brick reservoir that held the hot water is still intact.
- There are two wonderful pantries. A third is now a bathroom though the original icebox with its marble shelves remains, now used as storage for towels.
- Even normally mundane features like door hooks and hinges are over the top – “like fine jewelry” one agent exclaimed when she spotted a particularly fine hook that held the pantry door ajar.
- My heart almost stopped when I first saw the second reading nook off an upstairs bedroom. This sweet space has a built-in bench opposite a lovely bookcase-flanked fireplace. This is happiness.
- Best yet – the small square stained glass window in the reading nook that opens up and looks out over the fireplace in the landing downstairs. What fun it must have been for a child to poke her head out the small window to wave at the adults below!
- A second floor bath has a painted mural of a river above the vintage fixtures.
- The carriage house has a row of horse stalls, complete with original raffia fringe trim above the stalls. The tack room has racks for saddles and tack, bearing 1880s patents from a Boston company.
At once grand and charming, the house has beautifully proportioned rooms and an elegant flow. To walk or drive up to this house and call it home – to wake up and walk out to the beautiful golden oak hall – to sit on a bench and gaze out at the neighboring houses on Avon Hill – the new owners of 37 Lancaster Street will be very fortunate. It’s truly a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Click on the small photo below for more information and additional photographs.
Check back as I have lots more photographs to share in another post or two.
37 Lancaster Street, on Avon Hill in Cambridge, MA 02140 is listed for $4,495,000.
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