Avon Hill 17-Unit with Historic Charm
Offered at $14,000,000
Once in a few generations an opportunity arises to own an exceptionally rare property in one of Cambridge’s prime locations. This 17-Unit building sits proudly in the prestigious Avon Hill Neighborhood and is a direct neighbor to the oldest early colonial home in Cambridge – the circa 1681 Cooper-Frost-Austin House, near Porter Square and the Harvard Law School. This property was designed in 1912 by the prominent Newhall & Blevins architectural firm as a three-level, warm stucco and brick wrapped apartment building topped by a striking Spanish red tile roof atop the overhanging eaves.
The historic charm of this lovingly maintained property is seen in many of the original exterior details such as the limestone sills, granite entry steps, rich patina copper gutters and downspouts and many of the double hung windows with restored 16-lite leaded glass upper panes. The building keeps in step with the historic properties that line the street and surrounding Avon Hill. Inside, the entry tile, first floor stained glass windows, carved staircases and classic bathrooms- most have original claw foot tubs- 15 working fireplaces, period-built cabinets, and many units enjoy a four-season porch with newer windows which give the residents the feel of classic charm.
The front & back walkways, and the retaining walls are new. Additionally, a few years ago a high-end Lochnivar water heater was installed that operates independently of the boiler.
The wide common hallways are gracious and make for easy move-in. Most kitchens have been renovated, many with granite countertops and stainless appliances. Every unit has its own locked storage room in the basement where the residents share a laundry room with coin-operated equipment.
The property has a Master Deed and Declaration of Trust recorded for condominium conversion in 1986. Opportunities to buy a property of this stature in Cambridge are rare and is best fit for the most discerning of portfolios.
The historic charm of this lovingly maintained property is seen in many of the original exterior details such as the limestone sills, granite entry steps, rich patina copper gutters and downspouts and many of the double hung windows with restored 16-lite leaded glass upper panes. The building keeps in step with the historic properties that line the street and surrounding Avon Hill. Inside, the entry tile, first floor stained glass windows, carved staircases and classic bathrooms- most have original claw foot tubs- 15 working fireplaces, period-built cabinets, and many units enjoy a four-season porch with newer windows which give the residents the feel of classic charm.
The front & back walkways, and the retaining walls are new. Additionally, a few years ago a high-end Lochnivar water heater was installed that operates independently of the boiler.
The wide common hallways are gracious and make for easy move-in. Most kitchens have been renovated, many with granite countertops and stainless appliances. Every unit has its own locked storage room in the basement where the residents share a laundry room with coin-operated equipment.
The property has a Master Deed and Declaration of Trust recorded for condominium conversion in 1986. Opportunities to buy a property of this stature in Cambridge are rare and is best fit for the most discerning of portfolios.
Remarkable Location
Located in the Avon Hill Neighborhood Conservation District, surrounded by stately homes on the National Historic Registry, this property abuts the historic Cooper-Frost-Austin House. Once part of that original homestead, the wooded kept grounds of this important neighboring property are maintained by the City of Cambridge in conjunction with Historic New England. Though the property enjoys the preservation and care of the homes within its surrounding, it is not on the National Registry.
The property is nestled on a very short side street just off Linnaean Street and has easy access to local shopping, boutique stores along Massachusetts Avenue, the Porter Square shopping center, buses and the MBTA Red Line. Just a few blocks away you will find the Harvard Law School and the main campus of Harvard University a few blocks further. This location cannot be beat.
The property is nestled on a very short side street just off Linnaean Street and has easy access to local shopping, boutique stores along Massachusetts Avenue, the Porter Square shopping center, buses and the MBTA Red Line. Just a few blocks away you will find the Harvard Law School and the main campus of Harvard University a few blocks further. This location cannot be beat.
Noteworthy History
1912 |
1935 |
2021 |
Standing and admiring 19 Agassiz from the street you immediately feel the Arts & Crafts influences of natural materials seen through the use of warm tones of the stucco, brick, granite, limestone and copper downspouts that have shown their intended color tone with their aged patina. The wide overhanging eaves and brick gable ends are grounded by large ornamental, still functioning, chimneys. One chimey stack is still topped with three of the remaining chimney pots. The newspaper articles of the days during the construction discuss the terra cotta brick foundation that would create a more substantial building than typical frame construction.
|
One of the hallmark signatures of the architect, the courtyard style entrance is found along a gracefully terraced path just off the historic brick sidewalks that still remain on Agassiz Street. Passing through a restored rod-iron archway, the path leads you to the unexpected expanse of a restored courtyard and up the granite stairs to the covered entry. Leaded glass sidelights and transoms accent the wood entry door and the oak paneled vestibule still has the original mosaic tile floors with pink granite baseboards.
With international travel as their influence at the turn of the 20th century and as a council member of the Society of Arts and Crafts, the firm of Newhall & Blevins (probably Louis Newhall) found an appealing way to design a visually pleasing building on a modest lot size. Newhall & Blevins were a prolific architecture firm that designed many properties including the well know YMCA and YWCA in Central Square, the Inman Square Fire Station, The Abbott Building at 1-5 JFK, Harvard Square's Cambridge Savings Bank, along with more famous courtyard style buildings in Cambridge. Many of these buildings have long since been converted to condominiums and are extremely desirable today. |
Unexpected spanse of the
courtyard of 19 Agassiz Street
|
|
It is worth discussing that the slope of the Cooper-Frost-Austin house (the oldest standing colonial house in Cambridge) was subdivided by the Austin heirs in 1886. During this division, three streets were formed, the extension of Washington Avenue and the creation of Agassiz Street and Lancaster Street. Agassiz Street, in theme of the Harvard Botany referenced street names in Cambridge, was named after Louis Agassiz the American-Swiss Naturalist. The map shows an overlay of the 1884 Bromely & Co. map with a current ariel view to see the transition that eventually occured with the subdividing and construction of the streets by the Austin family 3 years later in 1886.
|
Bromley & Co. map of 1884 with a current Google overlay
|
|
The probable first owner of this lot was George A. Sawyer from the subdivision of the entire parcel and sales of lots from the Austin heirs (of the Cooper-Frost-Austin) and his name emerges on 1894 Bromley Map. Mr. Sawyer then sold the property to the Agassiz Hall Trust, trustee Francis J. Carney an Attorney, on May 1, 1911. The building known as Agassiz Hall was permitted for construction by the City of Cambridge on April 20, 1912 with an estimated cost of $45,000. As the media continued to cover the updated cost of construction it was reported that the last recorded permit value was $55,000. The builder of record was a firm who built numerous high-end houses, commercial properties, residences and churches in the area. Cousins, Alonzo Allen and Guy Loomer, were both immigrants from Nova Scotia, Canada who worked as carpenters under Guy’s father and then starting their own company in July of 1895 under the firm name of Loomer & Allen in Belmont. Their advertising in the Cambridge newspapers evolved over the years from “LOOMER & ALLEN, contractors and builders with prompt and satisfactory attention to all orders of building, alterations or repairs,” to, as their business boomed and reputation increased, simply “LOOMER & ALLEN, Builders” by the time they were contracted to build 19 Aggasiz.
|
1903 Bromley & Co. map showing Sawyer still as owner
|
The current family has owned and cared for 19 Agassiz for three generations. Their pride of ownership is evident in the maintenance and care over the years.
(c) 2020 by Denise Price. Researched material deemed accurate, but may not be exact
Photographs
Property Details and Proforma
|
Interior
17 Units 6,037 Basement Square Feet 27,684 Total Gorss Area |
Exterior
9,117 Total Lot Area On-street parking |
Proforma
Brochure and Proforma download below
This proforma is presented with data provided by the Seller and are estimates of actual costs. Download a copy of the Proforma below:
| 19_agassiz_proforma_liv_group_package.pdf |
Virtual Tour of Unit 23
Condo Documents
Recorded in 1986, the Master Deed and Declaration of Trust are below:
| Master Deed |
| Decl. of Trust |
Floorplans
For reference only, from the recorded plans, may not be current as-built.
| Recorded Plan 1986.pdf |
Showings and Offers
Showings
Accompanied showings will be provided by appointment only. Please contact: [email protected] to schedule.
Offers
Any offers should be submitted by email to: [email protected] Please provide ample time for response from Seller, proof of funds and buyer qualifications.
*See MLS for cooperating fee
