Opportunity strikes in North Cambridge! Unit 9 at the lovely French School Condominiums has become available. The building itself has an interesting history, and has been well cared for through the years.  Built in 1900 and converted to condos in 1989, the French School Condominiums offer a blend of modern living splashed with yesterday’s charm. Originally built for the Notre Dame de Pitie School, it has also served as a convent, a manufacturing facility, and artists lofts.

Just off Mass Ave in North Cambridge, this attractive Mansard has 16 units, four on each floor, with a wide stair case running up the middle. Units range from under and over 1000′ feet, and have soaring 10′ ceilings, exposed brick, open floor plans and great views. From this spot you can easily reach Porter, Davis and Harvard Square, Arlington, th Alewife T, the Minuteman Bike Trail, as well as numerous restaurants and shops nearby.

Unit 9 is currently for sale at $389,000. It has two beds and two baths, a modern but not fully updated kitchen, lovely hardwoods, built in bookshelves, in-unit laundry, a deeded parking spot, and extra storage. For a true lifestyle statement, this beats out ordinary condos any day. The light just streams in the beautiful tall windows, framed with plantation shutters and surrounded by exposed brick. Open and airy, this unit could be decorated in numerous ways, or kept simple and serene.  The $307 condo fee includes heat, hot water, master insurance, snow removal and maintenance. Very affordable, especially combined with Cambridge’s low taxes.

The French School Condominiums is a stable community. Only 5 of the 16 units are currently rented. Here are the sales in the buildings in the past 5 years:

Unit 1:   11/30/2005    $385,000

Unit 1:   7/17/2009   $403,500

Unit 5:  4/30/2009   $415,000

Unit 16:  8/23/2005   $485,000

To schedule a showing, contact listing agent Bija Satterlee at (781) 354-4835, or email bsatterlee@bowesre.com. See it soon!