02116 Boston Condos Archives - Page 5 of 12

Copley Place Tower Plans Under Review

June 30, 2008 By Boston Real Estate Observer

Simon Property Group has officially submitted its plans for a 54,000 square foot addition to the Back Bay Neiman Marcus store, a 60,000 square foot addition of retail / restaurant space, and a 660,000 square foot residential 47-story condo tower that will offer 280+ condos.

The new Boston condo development, slated to be located at 5 Copley Place and called Copley Place Tower, could change the below (current) landscape of the southeast corner of Dartmouth and Stuart Streets substantially.

There are two upcoming city meetings that will cover the new Copley Place Tower – should you want to have in-person knowledge of what is happening around this development, or have comments, for or against, consider attending these events.

Thursday, July 10, 2008 – 8:00 am – 10:00 am: Copley Place Expansion Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting #2, Tent City Apartments – Community Room located at 130 Dartmouth Street

Tuesday, July 15, 2008 – 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm: Copley Place Retail Expansion and Residential Addition project, BRA-sponsored public meeting on the Project Notification Form, Boston Public Library, located at 700 Boylston Street.

Clarendon Back Bay Plywood Siding

June 25, 2008 By Boston Real Estate Observer

You may have this question as well, as we have fielded multiple questions over the past several weeks as to what exactly the plywood siding on the soon-to-be luxury condo development, the Clarendon Back Bay, is all about.

If you haven’t noticed, things are moving quickly at the Clarendon, with construction crews pouring a floor approximately every four days, along with multiple dump trucks hauling excavated dirt from underneath the development for the parking garage. This speed is due in part to one of PERI Formwork Systems products, that is, the plywood casing around the building. PERI is the biggest provider and manufacturer of formwork and scaffolding systems in the world, and have participated in several projects in Boston, including the Regatta Riverview Residences in Cambridge.

The plywood formwork system that is climbing up the sides of the Clarendon serves multiple purposes. It provides safety for construction workers, while at the same time, increases their productivity (you feel more comfortable working at 20 stories off the ground if there is a plywood room surrounding you and preventing a fall). It also shields the property from the elements during its formative stages.

Given the pace at which the Clarendon is being constructed, the scheduled late 2009 completion date actually looks realistic, a change from other downtown Boston condo projects that have been bogged down by, sometimes multiple, construction delays, which push off completion and occupancy.

For more information about the Clarendon, please contact us using the link at the top of this page.

Filed Under: Back Bay Condos Tagged With: 02116 Boston Condos, Clarendon Back Bay

Now Resale at Sold Out Boston Mandarin Oriental

June 15, 2008 By Boston Real Estate Observer

It was somewhat rare that we had a condo development in downtown Boston completely sell out well before doors even opened, and in some cases, before real construction had even begun (granted, the runway for the project was quite long). However, the Boston Mandarin Oriental not only sold out its boutique 50 units, but now, approximately 10% of the luxury condos are available for resale, before the property has even opened. And given the fire that took place on the property earlier this year (see Fire at Boston Mandarin Oriental), a grand opening has been pushed back from July until Fall 2008 – according to many sources, the damage from the fire was quite minimal.

The Mandarin will be the next hot spot in a rolling inventory of super projects that are hitting the Boston skyline, and will give a boost to the already prestigious Back Bay (see Boston Mandarin Oriental Positive Addition to City).

For more information on the available condos at the Mandarin Oriental (6 MB PDF), or to list your preconstruction unit for sale, contact us for more information using the link at the top of this page.

Filed Under: Back Bay Condos Tagged With: 02116 Boston Condos, Boston Mandarin Oriental, Boylston Street Condos

Another Boston South End Condo Auction

June 13, 2008 By Boston Real Estate Observer

Keeping the spirit of Boston condo auctions (see Broadluxe Financial District Condo Auction), a unique situation has popped up in the South End along Warren Avenue. There will be a condo auction this weekend for a single unit at 99 Warren Avenue. Unit 2 at 99 Warren Avenue is currently listed in the Boston MLS for sale, however, the intent is to conduct what looks like a sealed bid auction over the weekend.

99 Warren Avenue Unit 2 is listed on the MLS at $699,000 ($529 per square foot), and is a 1,322 square foot duplex that boasts two bedrooms and two bathrooms, and a great roof deck. Additionally, a deeded land-use area that can be used to park a car off-street is included (parking). This is a two-unit HOA under a new conversion, and the HOA fees (which include water, sewer, and master insurance) are estimated at $275.

Minimum bids are starting at $699,000, and the listing agent, Betsy Herald, will be showing the unit today from 4:30 – 6pm, Saturday from 11am – 1pm, and Sunday from 2:30 – 3:45pm. Standard Offer to Purchase forms are being accepted with a $1,000 earnest money deposit. All offers should be submitted by Monday, June 16, 2008 at Noon. For more details, please contact us using the link at the top of this page.

Auction Results: multiple offers were received and the unit, according to the Boston MLS, went Under Agreement on June 18, 2008. For undisclosed reasons, the property was put back on the market on July 14, 2008 at a listing price of $799,000, and then reduced to $769,000 on August 8, 2008, and went Under Agreement on August 20, 2008.

Filed Under: Boston Condos Tagged With: 02116 Boston Condos, Warren Avenue Condos

285 Columbus Lofts Open for Business

May 23, 2008 By Boston Real Estate Observer

We had the opportunity stop into the 285 Columbus Lofts development this week. Closings began last week at the development after receiving its certificate of occupancy (ahead of the originally proposed June 2008 opening, which puts them well ahead of the Mandarin, FP3, and the Bryant), and some residents have already moved in and have begun customizing their units. We have to say, 285 Columbus Lofts is slick, the finishes are excellent, and it just feels “plush” and has an aura of calm luxury.

Upon entering the development from the Columbus Avenue main entrance, you’re greeted by the 285 Columbus Lofts Concierge who is on duty Monday – Friday 8 am to 6pm and Saturday and Sunday Noon to 5pm. With only 19 units remaining, nearly 70% of the building is sold – phenomenal pace and numbers that are setting the new baseline for success in the luxury market.

An exclusive video below of the 285 Columbus Lofts lobby and concierge:

If there are any drawbacks to this development, the list is short, namely, lack of views in some units on the north side of the building and no direct access parking. Unit floor plans 01, 02, and 03, which overlook the Back Bay Orange Line T Stop, do not offer great views – you really need to get on floor 7 and 8 (penthouse) before you get above the adjacent parking garage (see exclusive photos below). Parking is, unfortunately, not direct access – garage parking is a 25 year deeded lease at $320 per month (which is on top of monthly HOA fees at approximately 60 cents per square foot).

Interested Buyers can contact us to learn more about available units – the development is move in ready.

The below exclusive photos provide views from floors 2, 4, and 8 respectively of the north facing views overlooking the Back Bay transit station. 285 Columbus has done a superior job of insulating both interior noise, as well as exterior noise.

Filed Under: Back Bay Condos Tagged With: 02116 Boston Condos, 285 Columbus Lofts, 360 Newbury, Boston Lofts, Columbus Avenue Condos

Condo Sales Strong at 285 Columbus Lofts

May 19, 2008 By Boston Real Estate Observer

Sales continue to be strong as closings begin at the Back Bay’s (on the border of the South End) newest luxury condo development, 285 Columbus Lofts. Many higher floor units still remain for sale, as well as some of the lower priced one-bedrooms (starting at $525K), but the building is now over 60% sold – a very strong showing in comparison to other developments around the city when comparing sales cycles.

285 Columbus Lofts is being developed by the same team that brought you 360 Newbury, another boutique luxury development in an iconic building. You’ll notice similarities in entrances to the buildings of all things with the exclusive photos below. For more information on 285 Columbus Lofts, or any other luxury Boston condo development, please contact us using the link at the top of this page.

Filed Under: Back Bay Condos Tagged With: 02116 Boston Condos, 285 Columbus Lofts, 360 Newbury, Boston Lofts, Columbus Avenue Condos

South End Concord Baptist Church Condos

May 17, 2008 By Boston Real Estate Observer

You may have heard about the recent rumblings in the community and on other prominent blogs regarding the Concord Baptist Church in the South End at the southeast corner of Warren Avenue and W Brookline Street.

Peter Zagorianakos, a Boston developer, has purchased the church as the congregation plans its move to another location to accommodate their growing size. Local residents have been concerned about Zagorianakos changing the structure of the building, adding further windows, and what the parking situation will mean.

Much of the acute attention on the situation is naturally the result of nearby residents raising concerns. However, will this be a bad thing for the community? Prefaced by the idea that the congregation is voluntarily moving to a location that better suits their needs, the building’s roof could use some work (the exclusive photo below shows a current view of the roof), windows in the building overlooking neighbors’ outdoor space does not infringe on privacy any more than other nearby South End residents experience, and underground parking for the limited number of potential residents combined with church service parking not overwhelming the center line of Warren Avenue multiple times per week will reduce noise and congestion in the area.

Is this good or bad for the South End, what are your thoughts?

Filed Under: South End Condos Tagged With: 02116 Boston Condos, Concord Baptist Church

Bryant on Columbus From Near and Far

May 14, 2008 By Boston Real Estate Observer

If you’ve been along the border of the Back Bay and the South End over the past several months, you have more than likely seen the significant progress that has been made on the buildout of the Bryant on Columbus, a 50-unit luxury boutique condo development, that by the looks of it, will finish late this year if it continues at the same pace it’s on now. For a time series photo set, visit our Bryant on Columbus page.

The latest up close construction shot of the development is below. As well, we have an exclusive photo of the Bryant’s construction progress taken from the rooftop of the D4 condos several blocks away (you can see the crane rising above the completed floors at the Bryant, just in front of the 131 Dartmouth building – D4 opened to residents last year, and they are down to only 3 available units in the 25-unit boutique Philippe Starck condo redevelopment of the 1932 D4 Police Station.

Filed Under: Back Bay Condos Tagged With: 02116 Boston Condos, Bryant on Columbus, Columbus Avenue Condos, D4 Condos

Rare Boston Albert A. Pope Building Condos Available

April 16, 2008 By Boston Real Estate Observer

One of the most sought after buildings in the northern part of the South End is the Albert A. Pope Building, a 25-unit boutique luxury development with the high-end Mistral Bistro on its ground floor – some refer to this development as the Mistral Condos.

Albert A. Pope Building

As of this week, there are now two units available in the building, including one corner unit with multiple exposures. Unit 603 is a 1,508 square foot two-bedroom two-bathroom listed at $1,049,000 ($695 per square foot), while the multiple exposure unit 404, is a 1,873 square foot two-bedroom two-bathroom listed at $1,350,000 ($720 per square foot). Both units include one deeded garage parking space.

Readers recently inquired whether the Clarendon Back Bay would eventually block the view of the Hancock Tower from the Pope building, and by the looks of the below picture of the Clarendon job site taking from the Pope Building, the answer to that question is, yes – eye level views will be blocked, but you will obviously still see the Hancock Tower in the background above the 33 story Clarendon.

Filed Under: Boston, South End Condos Tagged With: 02116 Boston Condos, 221 Columbus Avenue, Columbus Avenue Condos, Pope Building

Clarendon Back Bay Condos hit Boston MLS

April 11, 2008 By Boston Real Estate Observer

The all new under construction ultra luxury Clarendon Back Bay condo development released its first units to the Boston MLS today. We’ve been receiving many inquiries on pricing at this property, and have toured the sales center to get the inside scoop.

Included in the mix of units that hit the Boston MLS today are the following:

589 square foot studio on the 18th floor – $695,000 ($1,179 per square foot)
765 square foot 1 bedroom 1 bathroom on the 15th floor – $775,000 ($1,013 per square foot)
1,229 square foot 2 bedroom 2 bathroom on the 15th floor (1 deeded parking space) – $1,575,000 ($1,281 per square foot)
1,371 square foot 2 bedroom 2 bathroom on the 20th floor (1 deeded parking space) – $1,635,000 ($1,192 per square foot)
1,878 square foot 3 bedroom 3.5 bathroom on the 20th floor (1 deeded parking space) – $2,500,000 ($1,878 per square foot)
2,495 square foot 3 bedroom 3.5 bathroom on the 25th floor (2 deeded parking spaces) – $3,950,000 ($1,583 per square foot)

Luxury condos will start on the 15th floor of this 33 story tower across the street from the Hancock Tower. HOA fees have not yet been announced. The Clarendon sales team will host a Broker Open on Tuesday, April 15, 2008 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at their 14 Newbury Street showroom. This will give real estate agents a chance to see what this amazing property will have to offer – the only true high rise condo development in the Back Bay.

For more information about the Clarendon, including exclusive Buyer representation, please contact us.

Filed Under: Back Bay Condos Tagged With: 02116 Boston Condos, 400 Stuart Street, Clarendon Back Bay