Either-Or: A Cambridge Artist’s Loft vs. a Remodeled Groton Colonial
It’s amazing what a few miles will do to the market. This month, we compare a live-work space in Kendall Square with a single-family in a suburban historic district.
Photo via Remark Visions (Cambridge); Matthew J. Ortins (Groton)
| 243 Bent Street #8, Cambridge | Sale Price: $925,000 | 247 Main Street, Groton |
| $989,000 55 1,083 square feet 1 1 | Asking Price Days on Market Size Bedrooms Bathrooms | $925,000 26 3,000 square feet 4 3.5 |
Few things are more appealing to a buyer than a tasteful renovation—just ask the new owners of these recently sold homes. The first, a condo in Cambridge, is part of a 104-year-old building that was originally office space before being converted into 10 sunny lofts. Atrium-style skylights and 10-foot-4-inch ceilings make the unit feel huge, while a whitewashed brick wall and frosted-glass windows meld industrial charm and contemporary allure.
Forty miles northwest, this single-family Groton Colonial underwent a transformation of its own. Keeping the wide-plank pine floors and original front door intact, local designer Lisa Hicks oversaw a slew of updates such as a restored wraparound porch, quartz and marble counters, and a completely refurbished third-floor guest suite, all done within historic-district regulations. The house may be an hour outside the city, but there’s no denying that triple the space for the same cost has its appeal: After all, the winning bid was a cash offer for the full asking price.
