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231 Central Avenue
At 3rd Street
3 beds, 2 baths, 1,839 SF on a 5,663 SF lot
Built 1900
Last sold, 1994
Perched above Central Avenue behind a white picket fence, this Victorian offers the best of both worlds: a classic Retreat-era home, enhanced by a century of eclectic and tasteful additions, including many of the features that stand out today (the porch, railings, decks, and guest cottage).
Because the lot is slightly elevated above than the sidewalk, with a large setback, the front and side porches become a viewing deck over Central Avenue, close enough to greet dog‑walkers from the privacy your own little balcony.
The home exterior is wonderfully consistent: blue-grey shingles, crisp white trim, and a continuous band of porch and balcony tying the front, side, and upper level together. The ornament is all about line and proportion—tall paired windows, boxed eaves, delicate brackets at the porch posts and that distinctive rectilinear railing.
Three things I love about the home
1. The porch as an outdoor gallery: the lot location and elevation make this deck a perfect spot to entertain, relax or people watch.
2. The geometric porch railings: it’s the home’s most visually distinctive feature, and looks beautiful from every angle, quietly unifying the old house with the later deck and balcony work.
3. The ADU: Along the side deck, the cottage provides more than enough space in-law suite yet still feels connected to the main house via the porch.
