HOME PROFILE: Lots of living space in Old town home – Wicked Local Beverly

Built around 1800 as a private, three-story residence and later the Nichols Funeral Home, this magnificent structure only moments to Washington and Elm streets has another exceptional feature: a huge 38,640 square-foot lot. Thats 0.8 acres in the center of town.

ADDRESS: 45-49 Pleasant St., Marblehead

BEDROOMS: 8

BATHROOMS: 4 full; 1 half

TOTAL ROOMS: 23

LIVING SPACE: 7,483 sq. ft.

PRICE: $2,500,000

A fascinating past and exciting future are only two aspects of this unique property in the heart of Old Town.

Built around 1800 as a private, three-story residence and later the Nichols Funeral Home, this magnificent structure only moments to Washington and Elm streets has another exceptional feature: a huge 38,640 square-foot lot. Thats 0.8 acres in the center of town. This includes rarely found outdoor space large enough for a pool or tennis/basketball/pickle ball court.

Admittedly the present needs a bit of work but, frankly thats what makes this residence such an incredible opportunity. Four massive rooms on each of two floors retain many original details and features. Some are quite spectacular, too. Ancillary rooms on each level expand the living possibilities geometrically. And theres a surprise but later.

The bottom line is that the number of ways to repurpose, reconfigure and/or redo are practically limitless. Yet with each, the results will be amazing.

Wait 'til you see inside

The extra-wide front door with sidelights and transom windows opens into a grand foyer with a high ceiling, fabulous millwork and a center staircase that has a coffin turn. In keeping with the stylings of the era when it was built, formal parlors/sitting rooms are on each side of the foyer. While these impressive and spacious rooms share a number of similar features like soaring ceilings, bump boards that are over 11 inches high, wide detailed chair rails, double and triple crown molding, and positively sensational six-over-six windows with 12-inch square glass panes plus richly detailed window and door casings these are almost two-inches thick, too each room has different elements that makes each one unique.

In one front parlor with random width pine floor boards, for example, Indian shutters grace three front windows. This wonderfully proportioned room also has access to a front-to-back sun porch with a separate entrance from the street.

The bonus is solid-wood pocket doors that open to an almost identically sized back parlor/sitting room. Here period picture rail trim enhances double crown molding and two windows that stretch to the ceiling overlook the huge yard.

Ornate black marble fireplaces are instant and stunning focal points in two formal rooms on the other side of the foyer. Almost identical in size, as in large and well-proportioned, these rooms are also separated by solid wood pocket doors.

Incidentally, these four spaces are ready to be spectacularly elegant once again.

Let's keep going

The back part of the house, which includes access to the back staircase of course, there is one currently has a half bathroom and a galley-like kitchen. A tad more contemporary than the formal rooms, this cookery needs updating and/or reconfiguring. Nevertheless, the past is very much present: some windows panes are the original glass.

Going to the second floor via the front staircase with its curved and detailed bump boards, however, is exciting as the destination includes a fabulous front room with built-in shelving and a fireplace with a brick surround. Historic Marblehead is the view from the windows that is straight down Pleasant Street. The classic steeple on St. Michaels Episcopal Church is front and center.

Oh, a matching back room with an en suite loo has potential as a master suite.

On the other side of the hallway, a similarly sized room has a carpet of pine flooring originally covered by a rug surrounded by finished oak boards. The practice was common during much of the 19th Century.

In addition to two exposures, this room has a fireplace, but the scene stealers are two closets tucked into the four-foot (or so) wide archway that leads to a spacious dining room with two built-in china cabinets. One is tucked into a corner; the other is a server-like affair with two-over-two drawers.

Although this level has a larger kitchen than the one on the first floor, this cookery also needs updating. Access to a delightful sunroom with eight windows and maple floor boards offers expansion options.

The rest of this level includes an addition/annex with several very nicely sized bedrooms one has two closets an old-school bathroom with a tub/shower combination and access to a back porch. And lets not forget about the cedar closet.

Not done yet

Size, as in big, is certainly good news about the third floor. Currently, for example, this level has six additional rooms, the sweetest ever three-over-three windows with views down Pleasant Street and prettily detailed window and door casings. Even the bump boards have finishing trim.

The number of options for this level is the rest of the good news and it balances out the not-so-good news, which is the low ceilings throughout the entire floor. As this home has a large attic, raising the ceilings is doable. So is making this level a master oasis and/or an any number of configurations.

Incidentally, this home has a full basement.

Extra, extra

In addition to the main house, this property includes a rental/in-law/guest unit that offers all kinds of possibilities.

Running front-to-back with a private entrance, this spacious unit can be configured for two or three bedrooms plus the usual living areas: living room, dining area and kitchen. Laundry hook ups are already in place.

That it needs work is a given but being able to work with a blank slate means you can make this area fit your needs and desires without having to work around what exists. Nice.

With all this space, this property could be an in-town, intergenerational family compound complete with fantastic private play space for all ages. Dont forget the really big yard!

Contact Lisa Gallagher or Maura K. Phelan of Sagan Harborside Sothebys International Realty at 781-631-3746 or 781-706-3380 or by email: lisa.gallagher@sothebysrealty.com or maura.phelan@sothebysrealty.com.

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HOME PROFILE: Lots of living space in Old town home - Wicked Local Beverly