a sophisticated, sun-filled home, located in sought-after Union park

This 2-bed, 1-bath home features quintessential brownstone architectural elements and has been tastefully updated throughout. The bedrooms are generously proportioned, with one used as a primary bedroom and the second offering a private deck with Back Bay, Downtown skyline, and cathedral views. Enjoy an updated bathroom and kitchen, as well as newly installed central heating and cooling. The oversized primary bedroom features large East-facing windows, a large closet, and built-in shelving. The living room is anchored by a beautiful bay window overlooking Upton Street with a custom built-in dining area with banquet seating and storage space. The living room opens into the updated kitchen, separated by a generous island counter and bar with seating for two. The kitchen has been updated with stainless steel appliances, tasteful granite counters, stone tile floors, and brand-new subway tile backsplash. The bathroom is clad in classic black and white marble tile, a stone countertop vanity, and tractable skylight. The second bedroom features a glass French door that opens to the oversized private deck that is perfect for outdoor dining, grilling and entertaining. The unit has rights to the rooftop space and has been approved for the construction of a roof deck. Tree-lined Upton Street is highly sought after for its prime location within the Union Park Neighborhood Association and Eight Streets area of the South End, immediately abutting Restaurant Row, with quick access to neighborhood parks and greenspace (including a playground immediately across Upton Street), Copley Square, Copley Place mall, and Back Bay station.

IMPROVEMENTS

• New stove: 2024

• New kitchen backsplash: 2024

• New central heating and cooling

• Custom banquet in bay window with storage under each of the seats

• New Pella windows on rear side of the condo, including the door accessing the deck. Pella, front-facing windows were replaced by previous owner.

• New deck light

• New skylights: 2022

• Deck re-stained

• Entire home painted: 2018

The South End has been a hub of diversity since it was first established as a residential district at the turn of the century. The neighborhood has since preserved its historic charm: ivy climbs the brick walls of Victorian row houses and cast iron scrolls undulate down the stair railings framing many homes’ front stoops.

Sidewalks in the South End are well-maintained, making the neighborhood jogger- and stroller-friendly. The area is home to cultural institutions like the Calderwood Pavilion, a mecca for art performance, and residents often scan the community corkboards for local workshops in creative living, from cooking classes at Walden to dance.

Saturday mornings unfold slowly in the South End: once the Boston Globe is retrieved from the stoop and the window box blooms are watered, residents amble leisurely to South End Buttery for a cappuccino, then enjoy brunch at neighborhood favorite Metropolis or Coppa or even freshly baked donuts from Blackbird Donuts.

Late afternoon begins with a glass of wine at Kava or a chilled, dozen oysters at B & G Oyster, followed by browsing for antiquities and home accents. Evenings are often spent at nearby performance venues or events.

Since many of the houses were built over a century ago, South End residents either excel in the art of simplicity or rent storage space in the city’s outskirts.

Most residents of the South End find homes in the neighborhood’s Federal style and bow-front brick row houses, most of which are five or six levels in total. Condominiums could be anything from a single floor penthouse unit to a triplex home that stretches from the garden to the parlor level. The historic housing stock is a mixture of Federal-style townhouses and bow-front brick row houses, coupled with a growing number of newly built modern mid-rises replete with concierge and garage parking.

The South End has earned a reputation as one of Boston’s culinary hubs and entrepreneurial restaurateurs have developed the ground floors of several brownstones with modern concept eateries. These are complemented by standard favorites like the classic bistro-bar Aquitaine and neighborhood stalwart GiGis. After a satisfying meal, residents enjoy long, leisurely walks through the historic streets, sharing slate-paved sidewalks with scooter-led children and their stylish-sneakered parents.