The Clarendon in the Back Bay

November 9, 2007 By

The public seems to be clamoring for information on the status of the Clarendon Back Bay condo development at the corner of Clarendon and Stuart Streets. As you are more than likely aware (and evidenced by the exclusive photos below), construction is moving along on the development.

It has been announced that there will be 107 condos for sale at the development. Prices, nor floor plans, have been finalized at this point. This information should all come together for the launch of the sales center, which is scheduled for January 2008.

The sales center staff is getting ramped up, finishing models and is working diligently to finalize a preconstruction sales process. As we move into the Holiday buying season, prepare yourself with looking into the benefits of a Buyer’s Agent.

More information on the Clarendon Back Bay to follow.

The Clarendon in the Back Bay

The Clarendon in the Back Bay

Filed Under: Back Bay Condos Tagged With: ,

Boston Macallen Building Flooring Issue

November 8, 2007 By

We have received almost 10 visits in the past several hours from readers who are looking for information on the bamboo flooring issue at the Macallen Building.

To shed a little light on the subject. Pappas Properties (the developer of the Macallen Building) has been back and forth with the company who laid some of the bamboo flooring in parts of the building after some units experienced buckling problems with the bamboo floors. We recently visited a studio/one-bedroom for sale overlooking the exquisite green terrace and lap pool, where the flooring issue was evident.

Needless to say, it’s an issue. Pappas has committed to rectifying the problem in all impacted units, and is working towards a settlement with the flooring company.

Filed Under: South Boston Condos Tagged With:

Wanted: Green Homes and Condos

November 7, 2007 By

We have been contacted by a writer from the London Financial Times in an effort to find a green condo or single-family home that will be featured in a high profile international news story on ‘period’ houses that have been restored sustainably (i.e. to green criteria without losing their architectural integrity and character).

If you have renovated an individual home or condo anywhere in North America (we’d prefer Boston in an attempt to put the city on the international map as a place that is environmentally conscious) that fits the below criteria, or know of someone who has, please contact us.

We are seeking a property (be it a brownstone, a single-family, etc.) such as the following.

  • A home of historical architectural interest, so it has a ‘period’ exterior that needs to be preserved. It might be brownstone, or weatherboard, or an Art Deco building, or something else, but it will not be a new or recently built building. Ideally it will be a relatively unusual or unique one.
  • Something restored with a significant ‘green’ agenda in mind, so it has energy efficient, heat conserving, water efficient design and technology – the more, the better.

An ideal case study might be a substantial but dilapidated family mansion that has been bought up and overhauled to make it as carbon neutral and ecologically sound as possible. It might or might not be divided into smaller units for sale. It need not be on the market at the present time, so long as the owner or developer is amenable to discuss the property and allow or provide photography.

As mentioned, this story would be part of a lead feature in the weekend property section of the London Financial Times (the pink paper), and homes identified here in North America that are willing to participate would receive publicity to the level desired.

If you have a suitable property, or know of anyone that does, please contact us with your story, the more details and photos (if available), the better.

Filed Under: Boston

Boston Harborview Navy Yard Auction Postponed

November 6, 2007 By

We recently received notice that the Harborview Navy Yard auction (see Harborview Navy Yard Condo Auction Status) scheduled for Thursday, November 8, 2007 at 11am, has been postponed until February 1, 2008 at 11am.

It’s rather unfortunate that this development will sit vacant for 6 months.  We receive inquiries on this development daily, and Bostonians will now wait even longer to obtain clarity on how this development will actually proceed.  Based on where things currently stand, a pure rental development looks promising.

Filed Under: Charlestown Condos Tagged With:

Columbus Center Development Begins

November 6, 2007 By

The long-awaited Columbus Center condo development has actually begun. However, it’s been in somewhat of stealth mode. Unless you are within a few hundred yards of where the initial probing between Berkeley and Clarendon has begun, you probably would not even know anything has changed.

Nearby residents did voice their concern via a recent article in the Boston Courant that noise and shaking is already being felt. This is somewhat concerning given that true construction has not yet even started. The project will be a multi-phase project: completion of the deck over the turnpike is scheduled to take approximately 2.5 years, and construction of the actual buildings should take at least another year. So we’re looking at an early 2011 completion at the earliest.

We have been working with clients who are showing interest in the purchase of a condo at two nearby developments, namely 285 Columbus Lofts and the Brooke House Residences. Some are voicing concern about having a large-scale construction site quite close to their new home. Construction hours will be limited to a certain schedule during the day, and the developer is committed to working with the community to keep all apprised of schedules and events, however, Columbus Center will be a construction site, and will carry with it the typical things that come with large-scale development (noise, vibrations, etc.).

Exclusive photos of the rather quiet construction site are below. Columbus Center prices and floor plans have not yet been released.

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Filed Under: South End Condos Tagged With:

Carruth Condos in Dorchester a Relief

November 5, 2007 By

Have you heard of it? The Carruth.

Similar to 285 Columbus Lofts, a new loft-style condo development on the border of the South End and Back Bay that overlooks the Back Bay T Stop, the Carruth overlooks a major public transportation hub at the Ashmont transit station. Both developments will boast easy T access, but only one can be had for $300 per square foot – the Carruth. Pricing at the Carruth ranges from $269,000 and $379,000, including garage parking.

With the continuing upward trend in Boston condo prices, the Carruth condos in Dorchester, a Dennis Duffy design, will provide pricing relief to Bostonians like a cool glass of water on a hot day. You’re paying for a lot of things when you buy a piece of city-center Boston real estate, namely location, which is of key importance to a lot of people, however, the Carruth, at 20 minutes outside downtown, provides a great option for those who don’t want or need core downtown accommodations.

The Carruth is currently accepting reservations for a 2008 opening, use the Contact Us link at the top of this page for more information on the for sale condos.

Corchester Carruth Condos

Filed Under: Dorchester Condos Tagged With: , ,

Penny Savings Bank Featured Open House

November 4, 2007 By

The 23-unique boutique luxury condo development in the former Penny Savings Bank is our Featured Open House of the week. Earlier this year, The pre-war bank in Boston’s South End was completely renovated and a glass enclosure was added to the top of the original structure to create what is now The Residences at Penny Savings Bank.

The white marble and granite exterior of the Bank offers various layouts from studios (roughly 800 square feet and an HOA fee of $239) to two-bedroom two-bathroom condos (roughly 1,600 square feet and an HOA fee of $494). Living areas offer finished concrete floors (perhaps not as nice as our favorites stained and scored floors at the Lofts at 36 A) or walnut hardwood floors. All kitchens feature Viking and Best appointments. The master baths have limestone floors and “river rock” shower enclosures. Some units include private terraces or roof decks. Parking is available in the onsite underground garage for an additional charge.

Note that with a new marketing agent taking over the property, the price range for units has been slightly updated, moving the low-end down from $665,000 to $595,000 ($730 per square foot).

The Penny Savings Bank joins the recently opened D4 Police Station Condo Development as a true landmark property in Boston real estate. Along Washington Street, the ground floor of the development will house two commercial units, the banQ Restaurant, as well as a Citibank branch.

Remember that Daylight Saving Time has ended today, so turn your clocks back before heading out to see these units. The Open House will take place on Sunday, November 4, 2007 from 2 – 4pm at 30 Union Park Street in Boston’s South End (northeast corner of Washington and Union Park).

For Buyer Representation by Boston Condo Guy, or for more information, use the ‘Contact Us’ link at the top of this page.

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Filed Under: Boston Open Houses Tagged With: , ,

Daylight Saving Time Ends

November 4, 2007 By

Rise and shine Boston. Daylight Saving Time comes to an end today, November 4, 2007. Don’t forget to “Fall Back” one hour today.

Filed Under: Boston

Leachmore Point To Be Called Eleven West Broadway

November 3, 2007 By

Well, the people have spoken, when we announced earlier this year (see New South Boston Condos at Leachmore Point) that Pappas Enterprises was planning the development of a small, luxury boutique, condo development above the Red Line Broadway T-Stop, the anticipated name, Leachmore Point, received boos and hisses. Based on recent conversations with representatives from Pappas, the name will be changed, to the delight of many, to Eleven West Broadway.

Eleven West Broadway (formerly known as Leachmore Point) will break ground in March 2008, and speed through a condensed construction cycle. No preconstruction units will be sold according to Pappas, once the condo development is complete, units will then be opened up for sale.

Eleven West Broadway is slated to feature 64 high-end condos. The condo development will completely redesign and renovate the Broadway T-Stop (sounds good to us), and following suit with Pappas’ new vision for a better Boston, the building will be LEED certified (green), much like their newly completed Macallen Building across the street.

Initial design drawings that were released earlier in the year are being reworked, so stay tuned for more changes on this exciting new development in northern South Boston.

Filed Under: South Boston Condos Tagged With: ,

Boston Says No Thanks to $15 Million Price Tag

November 2, 2007 By

When the two penthouse units (1801 and 1802) at Trinity Place were combined into a single listing earlier this year, priced at $15 million, it was the highest priced condo to ever hit the Boston real estate market.

As we described in July (see Trinity Place Penthouse – $15 Million), the combined penthouse units boasted over 7,000 square feet of living space, 8 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, 2 fireplaces, and 4 valet-parking spaces, along with a $10K per month HOA fee.

After more than 200 days on the market, the $15 million listing has been withdrawn. According to Maryann Taylor, the exclusive listing agent, parties were “interested” in the mega-penthouse unit, but, nothing came to fruition. The Seller has decided to move forward with separating the units, and has now placed unit 1801 on the market for $7 million.

In addition to the $7 million listing, there are two other condos available at Trinity place (see Trinity Place Listing Details). For more information, use the ‘Contact Us’ link at the top of the page.

Filed Under: Back Bay Condos Tagged With: ,
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