AMHERST — A downtown property at 232 Amity St. is on the market for $2.2 million, nearly three times the assessed value of the single-family home and its 1.49 acres.
Jones Group Realtors began advertising the residence, most recently the home of Ruth Jones and the late Paul C. Jones, for its history, elegance and development potential. Paul Jones is the past president of W.D. Cowls, Inc. and founder of Cowls Building Supply.
The listing describes the 4,078-square-foot home, built in 1830, as a Gothic Victorian in a park-like setting, with a barn, studio and three-bay garage. There are also tennis courts on the property.
It goes on to mention President Calvin Coolidge’s relationship to the site: “Dine overlooking the beautiful private gardens where Calvin Coolidge dined with fellow Amherst College alumnus in the 1930s, then enjoy an aperitif in the sun-filled conservatory with wrap-around windows and Jotul wood stove.”
Amherst Assessor David Burgess said that the property does have a lot of land for the center of town, but he is unsure about its development potential.
“It could be attractive for being within walking distance of eateries and downtown Amherst,” Burgess said.
The property has frontage on both Amity Street and Lincoln Avenue.
Micki Sanderson, the real estate agent handling the sale, said in an email that she cannot provide further details about the sales price or development possibilities, based on an agreement with the owner.
At least two similar downtown properties have been converted into condominiums in the past dozen years.
In 2005, the former Amherst Funeral Home at 151 Amity St. was purchased by developer Barry Roberts for $625,000. The 1895 building is now the site of five units that make up what is called The Marsh Building.
Last year, a six-unit condominium project began at 32 North Prospect St. after it was purchased for $535,000. That home, built in 1871, was once the residence of the late Donald Hastings, whose father, Asa, started A.J. Hastings, the newsdealer and stationery store that opened in 1914.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.