Boston’s own Ben Mezrich was at the Boston University Barnes and Noble book store on Monday evening to speak about his new book, Rigged. The new novel, from the method writer that has become quite popular after the success of Bringing Down the House and Ugly Americans, follows the true story of a Harvard Business School MBA grad who changed the world of oil, from Wall Street to Dubai.

Ben spoke in a very humbled tone on Monday night, answering questions and discussing the various predicaments he, and more so his writing alter ego, has been through over the past 10 years since delving into non-fiction thrillers that oftentimes chronicle smart and savvy entrepreneurs at heart.

If you appreciate the entrepreneurism at the heart of many Mezrich protagonists (at least from his non-fiction work), Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook or Crush It! by Gary Vaynerchuk may also be titles you should consider reading.

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.