A prized Colonial just off Brattle Street in Cambridge hitting the market is always a cause for celebration, even if you’re not the one moving in. It’s a chance to take a peek inside these storied residences, appreciate their legacy, and, in the case of 4 Willard Street, marvel at a tasteful, elegant re-imagining of the interior.

How does one strike a balance between respecting the home’s traditional character and ushering it gently into the 21st century? With 4 Willard Street, it’s with subtle but unmistakable craftsmanship and attention to detail.

Even in a home of this size — a whopping 5,730 square feet across four floors — the traditional Colonial footprint is challenging when it comes to feeling bright and fresh. Not here. Across the main living level, wide doorways, oversized paned windows, and a soft palette make rooms feel expansive and bright at every turn.

From the moment you step inside the three-story foyer and gaze up at the hand-crafted staircase, the light follows you across to the dining room with adjoining pantry on one side and the formal living room on the other. As you continue inside, the heart — and hearth — of the home unfold between the 27-foot eat-in gourmet kitchen and a relaxing family room with a modern marble fireplace and access to the 34-foot covered porch.

The primary bedroom is a stunner, featuring a fireplace of its own, sumptuous en-suite bath with a soaking tub and heated floors, pair of walk-in closets, and access to the wraparound deck facing the backyard. Four more bedrooms, as well as an office, bonus family room, media room, and home gym add flexibility for family and guests.

While there’s no shortage of outdoor living space between the expansive deck, porch and large, flat yard, the home is a hop and a skip away from the Charles River and Longfellow Park should you crave an evening constitutional.

The sale of the home, on the market for $9,975,000, is represented by Gail Roberts, Ed Feijo & Team with Coldwell Banker Realty – Cambridge, 617-844-2712.