Take the T to Logan Airport

Are you headed out of town this holiday season? If you are in downtown Boston, and need to get to Logan Airport, you should consider taking the T (MBTA Subway). The T provides an inexpensive, and relatively efficient, means to get to Logan.

There are several ways to get to Logan Airport from downtown via the T, we’ll cover one of those routes today: the Blue Line. From all points downtown, head to the outbound Blue Line. You’ll take the Blue Line towards Wonderland underneath Boston Harbor, past East Boston’s Maverick, and exit at the conveniently named ‘Airport’. Once you exit the T, simply follow the signs for the free ‘Airport Shuttle’. You’ll exit the T station and head right towards some large poles next to the adjacent roadway. On those poles, facing the roadway are signs stating which airlines are served by which shuttles. Simply hop on the shuttle that matches your airline/terminal (no ticket or transfer card needed), and you’ll be at Logan in less than 5 minutes.

Logan Airport T Station

A ride on the T will cost you only $1.70 if you have a Charlie Card (you can purchase a Charlie Card with a stored value online, and then have it shipped to your home at no cost). From many points in the core of downtown that only require one transfer onto the Blue Line, plan for the trip to take roughly 45 – 50 minutes. In comparison, a taxi ride from downtown Boston to Logan can cost anywhere from $20 – $30, and take you anywhere from 15 – 25 minutes.

Macallen Building Featured Open House

Our Featured Open House of the week is taking place at South Boston’s green Macallen Building. From Noon – 2 PM on Sunday, December 16, 2007, Pappas Properties will hold open units at not only the Macallen Building (141 Dorchester Avenue), but their adjacent Court Square Press loft development.

This weekend provides you the opportunity to see two of the finest properties in northern South Boston. Let them know that Boston Condo Guy sent you, and if you need Buyer representation on a purchase, please contact us.

If you act fast, you can still take advantage of the Macallen’s year end clearance sale (see Buy at Macallen, Get a Free Hybrid Car).

285 Columbus Lofts Buck Downtown Boston Trend

It was just over a week ago that we visited the 285 Columbus Lofts Broker Open House, at which time, there were 4 units Under Agreement at the luxury rehab of the former American Red Cross building at the corner of Clarendon Street and Columbus Avenue. According to Boston Homes, 12 are now Under Agreement slated for a June 2008 completion.

The absorption of 285 Columbus Lofts, now at approximately 20%, bucks trends elsewhere in the city for new downtown condo developments that have not yet opened. For instance, the neighboring Bryant on Columbus development is approximately 10% Under Agreement, while FP3 Boston in the Seaport District is approximately 20% sold, but has had a significant head start on 285 Columbus Lofts. As we detailed earlier this week (see What’s Happening at Penny Savings Bank?), Penny Savings Bank in the South End is approximately 30% sold, while the development has been open for several months, and had a significant runway of preconstruction showings.

Buyers are taking to the convenience of being next to a transit center – we’re seeing similar developments to 285 Columbus, such as the Carruth in Dorchester popping up adjacent to transit stations. You’ll be able to catch buses, the T, commuter rail, and even the Acela Express from 285 Columbus Lofts’ Back Bay transit station. The developer, Boston Residential Group LLC, at 285 Columbus Lofts did a good job insulating the walls and windows (triple pane) from the exterior noise.

For more information, or to setup a showing at 285 Columbus Lofts, contact us.

Great Choices Hit Market at Year End

One would think that the market would bundle up for the winter and hibernate, but there have been a large handful of great listings that have hit the market over the past week, be them new, or several price reductions. The Boston real estate market is pushing to finish the year strong, despite getting snowed in this week. Let’s take a look at what we’re talking about – for more information about any of these listings, or to setup a showing, please contact us.

52 Athens Street (also known as the 80 A Street Condominiums) along the border of South Boston and the Seaport District currently has two units for sale. Unit 1, a 1,313 square foot loft-style duplex condo with soaring ceilings and bamboo floors underwent a $30K price reduction after being on the market for 38 days. The move takes this unit down to $459,000 ($349 per square foot). This particular unit is one of the higher-end condos offers one of the best spaces in the 12-unit development along A Street.

52-athens-street

A somewhat rare smaller unit (610 square feet) has come available at One Charles, the Midtown luxury condo development that was completed in 2004, steps to Boston Common and the Public Garden. This $584,000 condo was designed by renowned Eugene Lawrence and was recently featured in Boston Globe Magazine’s “Ultimate Bachelor Pads” issue for its unique space-defying sense of grandeur. It comes with a single deeded tandem garage parking space.

one-charles-condos-1

one-charles-condos-2

Unit 322, at the luxury South Boston Court Square Press 130-unit condo development, just hit the market. This brings the total of available units in this building to 6. Court Square Press remains one of the classiest places to call home in northern South Boston, and with the June opening of Macallen, residents now enjoy a host of further amenities. Included in this 1,296 square foot, two-bedroom two-bathroom, $599,000 loft is one deeded garage parking space.

One gorgeous unit at the oftentimes overlooked loft-style condos at 27 Wareham Place deep in the South End took on a small price reduction, moving it to $697,000 for the two-bedroom two.five-bathroom, 1,271 square foot loft. Parking is included in this common roof deck 30-unit development that was finished in 2000. You’ll probably begin to see these units catch on a bit more, especially with the SoHa Lofts (now called the 1850) going up right down the street.

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27-wareham-1

You don’t see many units come available at the Boston Metropolitan, in Boston’s Chinatown, adjacent to the New England Medical Center, also home to Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. Unit 2209 is a penthouse unit boasting 1,325 square feet over multiple levels, and a wrap around balcony with southwest views. The Metropolitan was finished in 2004, and this unit comes with 2 garage parking spaces, and is priced at $949,000.

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boston-metropolitan-condos-2

The North End brings us Unit 4B at 287 Hanover Street, a renovated 2,358 square foot three-bedroom loft-style condo with soaring ceilings and high-end everything. This unit just came back on the market, and is priced at $1,199,000 ($508 per square foot), and is part of the Seaman’s House. Low condo fees for a $1 million+ property at $350 per month, however, no deeded parking with this unit – yet, definitely worth a look.

287-hanover-street

And finally, Unit 823 at Lincoln Wharf, adjacent to the up and coming ultra luxury Battery Wharf, recently saw a $100K price reduction, moving this unit to $1,295,000 for 1,853 square feet. The renovated unit features 20′ ceilings and great water views, as well as Asian walnut floors. Parking is rented. The unit has been on the market for 58 days now. The $1,000 HOA fee includes Hot Water, Water, Sewer, Master Insurance, Security, Laundry Facilities (that’s how they do it in this particular building), Elevator, Exterior Maintenance, Landscaping, Snow Removal, Recreational Facilities, Exercise Room, Sauna/Steam, Clubroom, Extra Storage, Refuse Removal.

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Several Options at Luxury Strada 234 Condos

A luxury development that oftentimes does not get its due, Strada 234 in the North End along the Waterfront, now has two units available as we approach year end. Strada 234 is a 108-unit development that was completed in . A new unit on the 8th floor just hit the market today, a 1+ bedroom 1,125 square foot unit with floor to ceiling windows that faces the city with southern exposure – priced at $729K ($648 per square foot) and does include one deeded garage parking space. The $1,013 condo fee includes Heat, Hot Water, Water, Sewer, Elevator, Exterior Maintenance, Landscaping, Snow Removal, Exercise Room, and Valet Parking.

There’s currently one other unit in the building that is also available, rather than just hitting the Boston MLS today, it has been sitting on the market for 317 days. Also on the 8th floor, unit 802 is a 940 square foot 1 bedroom that was priced at $519,000, and through various price reductions, is now priced at $429,000, and the listing agent states that the “owner needs to sell”.  HOA fee for this unit is $521 per month.  At $450 per square foot, this may be one of the better buys in the Waterfront area, especially with the amenities available at Strada 234.

For more information on either unit, or other North End / Waterfront Boston condos, please contact us.

Strada 234 Boston Condos

What's Happening at Penny Savings Bank?

The redevelopment of the South End Penny Savings Bank from a circa 1914 bank into a 2007 mixed-use building was originally well publicized and well received by the community. The ground floor bank building has been renovated, and will host the Banq restaurant and a Citibank branch, while a clean and modern glass addition has been added above, creating 23 high-end loft-style condos. The redevelopment is striking, and a great addition to the Washington Street corridor, however, it’s absorption has been slow. We’ll look at why that is, and why recent changes leave the development poised to make a positive turnaround.

[Read more…]

Wilkes Passage Condo Development Open House

One of our favorite buildings in the South End is Wilkes Passage (1313 Washington Street), where there has been quite a bit of activity over the past 6 months (13 have sold, 2 are Under Agreement, and 2 are currently available).

Our Featured Open House of the week is unit 220 at Wilkes Passage, a 1,459 square foot one-bedroom one-bathroom loft-style condo. If you are not familiar with the Wilkes Passage Lofts, units are similar in the sense that they are all high-end, with gorgeous kitchens and baths, and open floor plans. The development hosts a 24 hour concierge, and garage parking is available for purchase with the unit.

The open house will take pace on Sunday, December 09, 2007, from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM. For more information on the other unit available at Wilkes Passage (unit 411, 919 square feet, $528K, $5K closing credit to Buyer), please feel free to contact us.

Wilkes Passage

Wilkes Passage

Wilkes Passage

285 Columbus Lofts Broker Open House

The redevelopment of the American Red Cross building at the northwest corner of Columbus Avenue and Clarendon Street, known as 285 Columbus Lofts held a broker open house today. This was the first look that many agents across the city have had to look at this new loft-style development where average price per square foot is $850, and 4 of the 63 units are Under Agreement. The exclusive panoramic photo (click to enlarge) below is a shot of the multiple exposure model unit overlooking Clarendon on the left, and Columbus on the right. More details to come soon on this new Boston condo development at 285 Columbus Avenue.

285 Columbus Lofts Photos

Buy Macallen Building Condo, Get Free Hybrid Car

Forget about a free plasma TV, or a year of HOA fees, we’re talking about a free hybrid car as an incentive to buy a condo at South Boston Macallen Building!

Pappas Properties, the developer of the 140-unit green Macallen Building at 141 Dorchester Ave Boston, MA 02127 is offering a year-end clearance sale to entice condo buyers into their units, and wow, are they going all out.

On a limited number of available units in the luxury condo building, prices have been slashed by upwards of $200,000 (for instance, unit 119 was listed for $1,160,000 and is now $929,000), putting price per square foot on some units into the $500 range.

If a Buyer reserves a unit before December 31, 2007, and closes on the property before March 1, 2008, the developer will give the Buyer a Toyota Camry Hybrid car, or, $30,000 if a car is not desired.

We’ve talked a lot about the Macallen, as the first LEED-certified green development in Boston, concierge building with amenities galore, truly setting a new baseline in northern South Boston, if not the city. And they continue to set a new baseline with unheard-of buyer incentives.

Please contact us to learn more about how to take advantage of this opportunity.

Macallen Building Lap Pool
Macallen Building Patio
Macallen Building
Macallen Building
Macallen Building

Lift Off at Bryant on Columbus

It’s been over 6 months in the making, but we finally have above-grade progress being made on the Bryant on Columbus, a 50-unit ultra-luxury condo development on the northern side of Columbus Avenue between Dartmouth and Clarendon along the border of the Back Bay and South End (steps away from 285 Columbus Lofts).

Multiple cranes have been onsite for the past month, and progress has definitely been made after laying the foundation for the below grade parking garage. See the exclusive photos below for a view of the upward progress.

Approximately 10% of the development is under reservation or in process. Interesting to note that concierge services will be available Monday through Friday at the Bryant, keeping HOA fees down considerably in comparison to similar high-end developments across the city.

For more information, or to setup an appointment to visit the sales center (with a model kitchen, bath, and doll house rendering), contact us.

Bryant on Columbus Construction Photos

Bryant on Columbus Construction Photos

Bryant on Columbus Construction Photos