BY BARBARA FORSTERCORRESPONDENT

Brand new construction in anurban setting is rare. Period.When the project includes two

homes (rowhouses at that) withgarages, heads turn.

And when every aspect of thesehomes, whatever size, is well planned,well designed and, most important,well executed, jaws drop.

For these two beauties at 260 and262 Medford St. in Charlestown, wellthey should.

Joe McGonagle of Century 21 EliteFine Homes and Estates has listedthese two contemporary four-storytownhouses at $619,000 and$599,000.

In addition to large living areas inthe open floor plan, these homes arefilled with finely crafted finishingtouches. For example, every banisteron the staircases has detailed edges asdo the bump boards. Faucets in thekitchen and bathroom are sleek andcontemporary yet classic.

The units, which have individualgarages, are also fully air conditioned

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JUNE 2 - 8, 2012 SERVING BEACON HILL, BACK BAY, FENWAY, SOUTH END, JAMAICA PLAIN, CHARLESTOWN, NORTH END/WATERFRONT, DOWNTOWN, SOUTH BOSTON, DORCHESTER & EAST BOSTON

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South End townhouse is charming, elegantBY JUNE ALBRITTONCORRESPONDENT

I n 1867 the United States bought Alaskafrom Russia, the New England Conser-vatory of Music was founded, Horatio

Alger published his first rags-to-riches story,Alfred Nobel patented dynamite, and a beau-tiful new home was built at 173 West Brook-line St. in Boston’s South End.

Bradford Sprogis of Sprogis & Neale RealEstate is marketing 173 Brookline St. at$3.295 million.

The 3,931-square-foot home has beenrestored to its original elegance. The 11rooms include a formal living room, a formaldining room, a handsome library, an eat-inkitchen, an au pair suite, a wine cellar, a par-lor, a master bedroom, three additional bed-rooms, two working fireplaces, four decora-tive fireplaces, and a mudroom.

There are also a deck, a covered patio, abeautiful back yard, one to two deeded adja-cent parking spaces, and a front gardenenclosed by an ornamental iron fence. The beautifully restored South End townhouse at 173 West Brookline St. has a stunning library with

built-in bookcases and cabinets and a marble mantelpiece. It is listed at $3.295 million. COURTESY PHOTO / BOSTON VIRTUAL IMAGINGContinued on page 20

Penthouse on the waterfront is extraordinaryBY CINDY BAILENCORRESPONDENT

No matter how well you might think you knowthe residences at Rowes Wharf, Penthouse 7at 20 Rowes Wharf is a unit like no other.

“It’s a wow!” declares Carmela Laurella, president ofCL Waterfront Properties, who has listed this sleekcondo at $2.199 million.

The owner established a flawless design for thisopen, immaculate space, and you see it from the firststeps into the home’s tray ceilinged entry foyer.

“He’s a perfectionist. He gutted it to the studs. He gotpermission to add 400 square feet of storage space.

“He put in his own heating and cooling system. Hecompletely transformed the unit,” Laurella says.

The homeowner’s vision brought forth a uniquely cus-tomized unit with 10-foot ceilings, shining marble floorsand an effortless flow from room to room, complementingan enviable view at the heart of the Boston waterfront. Penthouse 7 at 20 Rowes Wharf features a customized design with a wood-burning

fireplace in the open living room. It is on the market for $2.199 million. COURTESY PHOTO / ELEVIN STUDIOS

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In CharlestownTwo townhousesinclude garages

Two brand-new townhouses at 260 and262 Medford St., Charlestown, are onthe market for $619,000 and $599,000.

COURTESY PHOTO / CENTURY 21 ELITE

Page 28 BOSTON HOMES: THE COMPLETE GUIDE • www.linkbostonhomes.com Week of June 2 - 8, 2012

A color scheme of satiny white makes thespace feel never-ending, and the light pouringin amplifies the effect.

To make the home appear seamless, theowner implemented some clever touches, likea wood-burning fireplace with a custom blackmarble mantel and surround that wrapsaround a wall to become a room divider andkitchen peninsula.

A couple of brilliant red counter stools pullup to create a lively accent.

The kitchen is beautifully executed withcreamy cabinetry and a shiny, mirroredbacksplash. The faucet is not merely func-tional – it could be a work of art. The chefhere enjoys a Gaggenau induction cooktopand sculptural vent hood, Viking refrigeratorand microwave and a pair of Fisher & Paykeldishwasher drawers. This kitchen has every-thing.

The dining space rocks a shining oval tableoverlooking the water, with seating for six.

On the other side of the big entertainingspace, an elegant black sectional hugs a corner.A table and a couple of well-designed clubchairs complete the conversation grouping.

Walls of windows ensure that the vistas arepart of the décor. The window treatments areon remote controls so they can be closed easily.

At the end of the evening, the host canretreat to a 22-foot-long master bedroom. Theroom doesn’t need much to be spectacular.

It is lightly furnished with a big bed on the

far wall, a built-in dresser and a round sofapositioned to look out over the first of theunit’s two private balconies.

Imagine the homeowner stepping out thereto get a breath of fresh air and experience thetwinkling city lights.

Wardrobe storage is a pleasure in this unit,with a generous walk-in closet and a pull-down staircase to permit access to mechani-cals and a huge storage area with 8-foot ceil-ings.

The en suite marble bath is a stunner, asyou would expect. The frosted glass pocketdoor leading to it takes up almost no spaceand ensures privacy while allowing plenty of

light to enter. The oversized steam shower has a nearly

invisible glass enclosure and includes a rainforest showerhead and multiple body sprays.Nearby, a whirlpool tub offers an alternateform of relaxation. There is a vanity counterwith a sink opposite the tub and another sinknext to the shower. The toilet and bidet are inan adjacent room, which also contains numer-ous storage built-ins.

A guest suite is located on the other side ofthe unit. It has a flat screen TV on the wall,and its round custom-made sofa can beopened up to reveal a bed.

A walk-in closet provides plenty of storage

and also houses a stacked Bosch washer anddryer. The en suite marble bath has its ownsteam shower.

Possibly the nicest feature of the guest suiteis its private balcony. “You’re so part of thewaterfront here,” Laurella comments.

The expansive view includes sailboats bob-bing in the harbor, the Tobin Bridge,Charlestown, and in the distance, CommercialWharf.

It’s not just what you see that makes thishome extraordinary. Amenities at RowesWharf include professional management; a24-hour concierge; access to the RowesWharf health club, pool and spa; room serv-ice; two deeded parking spaces in the garagewith valet parking; a water shuttle to Loganairport and a marina. Of course, the service isimpeccable. “This building takes care of theowners with kid gloves,” says Laurella.

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Address: 20 Rowes Wharf,Penthouse 7, Waterfront

BR/BA: Two bedrooms, two baths

Size: 1,520 square feet

Age: 1987; 2008

Price: $2.199 million

Taxes: $18,757

Condo fee: $2,241 per month

Features of building: A fullservice 24-hour concierge build-ing with on-site professionalmanagement by Barkan Man-agement Company; garage withvalet parking; Rowes WharfHealth Club, pool and spa;water shuttle to Logan Airport, marina.

Features of unit: Light-drenched, one-of-a-kind luxurypenthouse with spacious, openlayout and custom finishes; 10-foot-high ceilings; amazing

high-end kitchen; creamy mar-ble walls and floors; wood-burning fireplace with custommantel; two bedrooms with ensuite baths and steam show-ers; its own heating and cool-ing system; in-unit laundry inunit; custom storage and twoprivate terraces; in unit; customstorage; two deeded garageparking spaces

Close by: The Financial Dis-trict, HarborWalk, North End,Rose Kennedy Greenway; New

England Aquarium, FaneuilHall, MBTA Blue and Red Lines;commuter rail and Amtrak atSouth Station; Route 93 andMassachusetts Turnpike, LoganAirport.

Contact: Carmela Laurella, CLWaterfront Properties LLC, 113Lewis Wharf, Boston MA 02110.Phone: 617-624-9700. E-mail:carmela.laurella@wpboston.com.

Websites: www.wpboston.comand www.Ph7RowesWharf.com

D E T A I L SThis property may be seen byappointment.

Redesigned penthouse on the water has two terraces Continued from page 1

The especially designed fireplace faced with black marble extends from thewall to create a breakfast bar peninsula in the kitchen.

The contemporary kitchen includes high-end appliances that complementthe sleek cabinetry and mirrored backsplash. COURTESY PHOTOS / ELEVIN STUDIOS

The en suite master bath is huge and includes an oversized glass-enclosedshower, a whirlpool tub, a dressing table and a separate room for the toiletand bidet.

The master bedroom is 22 feet long; one wall has opaque glass above thewhirlpool tub that transfers light between the bedroom and bath.

COURTESY PHOTOS / ELEVIN STUDIOS

The dining area is situated in front of a bank ofwindows with panoramic views. The adjoiningguest bedroom is used as a media room.