Cambridge's Retro-Chic Twenty|20 Awaits Its Neighborhood

Cambridge's 355-unit Twenty|20 recently opened its doors, and it has the earmarks of a Bozzuto property: pet-friendly with dynamic interior design, lots of public amenity space, and a premium price tag. It's part of NorthPoint, the 45-acre master-planned development in a corner of Cambridge quite accessible to Boston, Charlestown and Somerville. While development of NorthPoint began more than a decade ago, it's still a question mark to some in Boston proper. While many, for instance, probably think it's most accessible by the Green Line Lechmere stop, it's actually closest to Community College on the Orange. There will be major retail coming in, but that's a bit into the future. But, one day, this area will settle down, and this building is part of that equation.

Now that it's 18 percent leased, what is the residential experience, exactly?

ADD Inc. designed the interior, and it's particularly on-point with current, hipster-mainstream-approved design trends: lots of natural wood, with colors of gray, brown and green providing a neutral canvas for pops of orange and purple.

The furniture is mid-century modern with some whimsical touches: the lounge, for example, has a low-profile sofa in a classic Scandinavian design. And, say, what's that coffee table? It's an oversized clothespin in natural wood, of course.

Aside from the interior aesthetic, the technology is thoughtful: the outlets have direct connections for USB cables, and the club suite has a four-panel "zero-edge" television wall for maximum enjoyment with video games and film screenings.

In keeping with the current public desire to access the outside, there are plenty of opportunities throughout the building. Some units have outdoor decks, and the 21st-floor rooftop has panoramic views of Boston and Cambridge. If you're not into high places, there's a "serenity" courtyard on the fourth floor with an outdoor deck. A park, just outside the building, has a roster of events to encourage a leisurely walk. To ensure residents stay active, there's a more than 3,000-square-foot fitness center; a yoga sundeck; a bike garage with repair tools; and a regulation indoor-basketball half-court.

And when you're feeling contemplative, there's a quiet space with a fireplace, just for you, your book, and your smartphone for texting only.

Of course, all this doesn't come cheap: studios range from $2,480 to $3,315, and 1-BRs cost between $2,800 and $4,075. But if you're looking for an oasis in the middle of an up-and-coming neighborhood (long-time coming), then Twenty|20 is it.
· Big Grand Opening for East Cambridge's Twenty|20 NorthPoint [Curbed Boston]
· Our complete Twenty|20 coverage [Curbed Boston]