(Photos by aram boghosian for the boston globe)
Home of the week
72 Central St. Andover
Price: $895,000
Style: Federal
Built: Circa 1790
Square feet: 2,987
Rooms: 8
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 3
Sewer: Public
It is difficult to imagine this house in its original form - only two lower and two upper rooms - when it was built in 1790 by the Abbotts, one of Andover's founding families. Today, those original rooms are only vaguely distinguishable by their lower ceilings and wide knotty pine floorboards.
The house remained in the Abbott family for about 200 years, and they added on to it over time. One possible explanation for the awkward U-shaped design, with three entrances and three staircases accessing various wings, is that two related families may have shared the home at one time. The main staircase leads up from the front door. Each bedroom is situated within its own private area and has an updated bathroom.
The spacious home is still attractive and comfortable for one family and is a real treat for kids who want to play hide-and-seek. It also has two two-car garages.
The current owners renovated the kitchen into a modern space with granite countertops, a Viking range, and a center island with sink and breakfast bar. These features sit proudly beside the original fireplace and beehive oven, both still operational - as are three other of the eight fireplaces. They also upgraded an adjacent butler's pantry, adding a wine cooler and a second dishwasher.
All of the lower rooms have period wainscoting and floorboards and newer crown molding. Surprisingly, most of the rooms have closet space.
"They tried to keep the period details while adding modern conveniences and upgrades," said the listing agent, Paulette Zuena of Re/Max Partners.
MINDY POLLACK-FUSI
© Copyright 2009 Globe Newspaper Company.
