The Three South Boston Amigos

If you like new developments, then the area surrounding the Broadway Red Line T-Stop is your new hot spot. 2007 has seen the completion, and near completion, of what we are calling the Three South Boston Amigos – the Lofts at 36 A, the Macallen Building, and Allele Boston.

These three condo developments are setting a new baseline for high-end living in the northern part of South Boston, with existing standards (Court Square Press) and some more to come in the upcoming years (Leachmore Point, now to be called Eleven West Broadway). Both the Macallen and 36 A opened to residents around the June 2007 timeframe, and Allele is planning for an early 2008 occupancy date. The exclusive photo below shows Allele Boston in the foreground, and the newly completed Macallen Building in the background, with the South End and Back Bay skyline to the left.

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For buyers looking for the opportunity to build short to medium term equity, this area of Boston should be of pertinent interest. With the amount of development that has already happened, and that which is planned, the neighborhood will continue to blossom. For instance, we recently announced that Tapeo Boston will open a new South Boston restaurant on the ground floor of Allele, adding to the draw of the area. Small things, like reconstruction of the median between Macallen and Allele on Dorchester Avenue and the planting of trees will, again, add to the beauty and allure of the area. Significant retail is planned for Court Square Press (an organic market complete with top choice butcher), Macallen (yoga studio, dry cleaner, cafe, and small offices), and across the street from the T-Stop, a not yet announced art / wine gallery.

The Lofts at 36 A is a 36-unit 6-story boutique development that features very high-end finishes throughout, including some of the best bathrooms in the city, and exquisite scored and stained concrete floors. The development features a common roof deck situated next to numerous private roof deck spaces, and two levels of garage parking, the lower of which is serviced by a car elevator. This is a high-end, but no frills (no concierge or fitness center) condo development. 36 A features a single retail space on the ground floor.

Allele Boston will be a 48-unit 6-story (but will sit slightly lower than the adjacent 36 A building) development that is aiming for a February / March 2008 opening. Allele, which means hybrid, offers traditional home features with loft style feel, some with terraces, and garage parking for an additional purchase price. Allele will feature a ground floor restaurant (Tapeo of Newbury Street is currently the target client).

The Macallen Building is a LEED Gold Certified (Green) 140-unit mini-mega development. Macallen represents the second phase of the Court Square Press buildout, and is a full service luxury building that is the first green residential building in the city of Boston with an outdoor heated pool on an 18,000 square foot plaza, garage parking, and a viewing / entertainment room, and fitness center (in Court Square Press).

Developers are creating a very high-end, desirable enclave just south of the city, and it’s only a ten minute walk to the South End, or a quick T ride to Downtown Crossing. Residents of other recent area developments, namely 80 A Street (also known as 52 Athens) and 125 B Street Lofts, which are seen as perhaps a lower price option to Macallen, 36 A, or even Court Square Press, will soon be enjoying the fruits of their sister developments’ labor by way of increased condo values, and augmented commercial and retail options.

For a complete look at what is available in each of the Three South Boston Amigos, or any of the other sister developments, please contact us. The exclusive photo below shows the lineup of the Three Amigos along W 4th Street (closest to farthest: Lofts at 36 A, Allele Boston, Macallen Building).

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Harborview Lawsuits Begin

Thank you to the Boston Business Journal for breaking the news that a first lawsuit has been filed in relation to the failed Harborview at the Navy Yard condo development, the interesting part of this, is that the lawsuit is not coming from upset buyers that got their deposits back and a pat on the back, but from the construction crew that built Harborview, Turner Construction Company.

Essentially, Turner Construction is claiming that Trammel Crow, Harborview’s owner, did not have the money to pay Turner, and Trammel Crow misled Turner into finishing the job (to the tune of $10 million). Unfortunately, that which is surrounding the Harborview project continues to get worse.

The suit highlights the risks of building large-scale condominium projects in Greater Boston’s softening residential real estate market. The market’s turn has prompted some developers, particularly those with properties priced in the midrange, such as HarborView at the Navy Yard, to convert condominium projects into rentals or rethink building condominiums at all.

FP3 Boston Condos with Outdoor Terraces

Interested in reserving a unit at the June 2008 planned FP3 Boston condo development, one with a private outdoor terrace? We thought you might. Bear in mind that FP3 will offer all residents a common outdoor roof deck, but, if you would like to get your hands on a private space, consider the following options:

  • A one-bedroom unit with 764 square foot of indoor living space and 265 square feet of outdoor space starting at $699,000
  • A one-bedroom unit with 783 square feet of indoor living space and 237 square feet of outdoor space for $749,000
  • A one-bedroom plus study unit with 969 square feet of indoor living space and 150 square feet of outdoor space for $779,000
  • A two-bedroom penthouse unit with over 2,200 square feet of indoor living space and over 1,000 square feet of outdoor space for $1,999,999

FP3 will run water, gas, and electrical onto each terrace. For assistance in making a reservation on a unit at FP3, slated for a June 2008 completion, please contact us.

FP3 Boston Condos

Meads of Commonwealth Open House

After moving to a new listing brokerage, the Meads of Commonwealth, 13 luxurious and unique units in Back Bay have a renewed push, and some slightly lower prices (i.e. the penthouse unit was dropped from $6.2 million to $5.5 million), the development is our Featured Open House of the week.

9 units remain at the Meads, which was completed in 2007. Residences are priced between $1,875,000 and $5,500,000, and include at least one garage parking space under the development, private and direct elevator access, and many other amenities.

Based on our many Meads of Commonwealth Blog Posts, you can tell we think the units are exquisite, and the amenities are almost unmatched. The Meads combine class and style in units that have excellent flow. Aside from the penthouse unit that has over 2,000 square feet of outdoor space, the other units would be better served by having some of their own, but soaring ceilings and windows to match provide superb light otherwise.

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The Open House, located at 413 – 415 Commonwealth Avenue will take place Sunday, September 23, 2007 from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM. Please tell them that Boston Condo Guy sent you, and after you return, drop a comment on this blog post to let everyone know your thoughts on the Meads. If you fall in love and would like to write an Offer, please contact us.

WW II Poster Exhibit at Boston Public Library

If you have not already stopped by the Wiggin Room in the Boston Public Library (BPL) for the WW II Poster Exhibit, we highly recommend it. The exhibit, which displays a large collection of “victory” posters will be on display, and is free to the public, until September 30, 2007.

Through September 30, 2007 in the Wiggin Gallery. A selection of posters from the collections in the Print Department of the Boston Public Library. The majority of World War II posters were published from 1939 to 1945 by the United States Government Printing Office. They were a visual call to arms for all citizens.

BPL WW II Poster Exhibit

Tapeo Restaurant to Open in Allele South Boston

We’ve been informed that Tapeo of Newbury Street will open a second restaurant near the Red Line Broadway T-Step area in the ground floor of Allele Boston, a new boutique South Boston condo development at 150 Dorchester Avenue slated for an early 2008 opening.

Tapeo will create a new name, possibly “Sapeo“, and will plan to open following the February / March opening of Allele. Sapeo South Boston will acquire a significant amount of outdoor space along Dorchester Avenue, and it’s rumored that the current retail space on the ground floor of Allele will not be large enough, so Tapeo / Sapeo will pursue acquiring two ground floor condo units to add to their planned space.

The Allele condos are moving along quickly, from the below exclusive picture taken yesterday from the roof deck of the Lofts at 36 A, you can see that exterior work, including balconies, windows, and brick siding, is progressing. For more information about Allele, or any of the hot new developments in South Boston, please contact us.

Allele South Boston Condos

285 Columbus Lofts New Condo Development

We stopped by the 285 Columbus Lofts jobsite today to have lunch with the crew. Work is steadily progressing on the new 63-unit development at the corner of Columbus Avenue and Clarendon Street, steps from the Bryant on Columbus and the Clarendon Back Bay.

Planned for a Certificate of Occupancy date in June 2008, 285 Columbus Lofts is an exciting redevelopment of the former American Red Cross Building. Units will include high-end sophisticated finishes, hardwood floors, large windows, and high ceilings (9’6″).

For more information, please contact us. Check out the exclusive 285 Columbus condos construction photos below.

285 Columbus Lofts

285 Columbus Lofts

285 Columbus Lofts

285 Columbus Lofts

285 Columbus Lofts

285 Columbus Lofts

285 Columbus Lofts

Zillow Raises Another $30 Million

According to the Wall Street Journal Zillow will announce today that they have raised an additional $30 million of outside capital from various institutional investors and asset management firms (Legg Mason Capital Management, Benchmark Capital, Technology Crossover Ventures and PAR Capital Management Inc.).

Zillow will use the new cash to continue improving its Web site and augment its advertising sales force. The company, which offers estimates of home values called “Zestimates,” has 155 employees, including 20 national ad sales representatives. It also now lets people post homes for sale on the site and ask questions about specific properties.

The continued investment into online technology strengthens the position and gives the nod of approval to top real estate brands in Boston, such as Boston Condo Guy, who are making strides to provide visitors with the latest technology available to search the Boston real estate market.

New Atelier 505 Three Bedroom Listing

Unit 803 in the exclusive Atelier 505 condo development has recently hit the market for $1,750,000 ($1,008 / square foot). The Atelier South End condo development at 505 Tremont Street is a 2004 high-end new construction building with 99 units and underground parking. Unit 803 is a three-bedroom, two-bathroom 1,735 square foot unit that includes parking, private balcony, and gorgeous city views from every angle.

For more information, or to setup a showing, please contact us.

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The Modern South End Opens to Residents

We were informed that after little more than a year of construction, The Modern is finished and its new residents have begun moving into their new homes.

A joint development of New Boston Ventures and PEG Properties + Design, The Modern is a strikingly contemporary building blending huge windows, high ceilings, and all the modern amenities of an elevator, garage parking and stylish finishes into the historic fabric of the South End. Note that parking spaces are not included in the listing price, and are available for $39,000 – $59,000.

This is a very exciting time for us as we know it is for our new residents. We are very pleased how the Modern evolved from initial conception to its final completion. It’s a beautiful building inside and out,” said development team partner David Goldman.

Total Units: 25
Currently Sold: 13
Pricing: $449,000 – $765,000
Special Features: Interiors by Duffy Design Group
Parking: On-site Garage
Zen Rooftop Garden
Private terraces

For more information on remaining units at the Modern South End, please contact us.

The Modern South End