Boston Macallen Building Pet Policy for Renters

September 16, 2011 By

Caution to pet owners who are looking to rent an apartment in the Macallen Building, South Boston’s premier green building boasting 140 units with luxury amenities. Building management of the ultra-luxury Gold LEED-certified development that was introduced to Boston in 2007 refuses pets for renters based on policies in the HOA’s condominium documents.

Recently, Macallen Building apartments for rent had inaccurate listing details, indicating to potential renters that pets are allowed.

Following a standard review process by building management of all renters, the Macallen Building pet policy for renters becomes explicit.

It’s quite common for condominium developments throughout Boston to have some sort of Boston condo pet policy in place, oftentimes limiting the number and/or size of pets allowed, however, the differentiation between owners and renters at a particular building like the Macallen Building in South Boston and disparate policies for each is less common.

Filed Under: Boston Rentals Tagged With: ,

Top 3 Greenest Boston Condo Developments

February 25, 2010 By

With the green building movement in full swing it’s no surprise that Boston’s condo developers are starting to roll out some high end energy efficient buildings. While there are many developers and construction firms taking steps to “green” their projects, only a few select buildings have gone all the way to be certified with a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) designation.  Put simply, to be LEED certified is to develop and operate in the highest environmentally friendly way possible, and in this article, I’ll take a closer look at the Boston condo market and discuss the area’s top 3 greenest Boston condo developments.

Boston’s Top 3 Greenest Condo Developments

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building and rating system was developed by the US Green Building council in 1998 to standardize what constitutes a green building. The system has gone though many iterations and its current form, version 3.0, consists of a point rating system covering all areas of development and operation, including sustainability, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, innovation in design, and regional priority. The rating system is setup to encourage developers to use and embrace building techniques that will benefit the environment and community as well as enhance the marketability of their projects.

The Macallen Building South Boston – LEED Gold Certified

The Macallen Building has a very unique triangular silhouette that is very prominent on the South Boston skyline. When it was completed in 2007, the building earned LEED Gold certification and was the first residential building in Boston to do so.

The Macallen Building at 141 Dorchester AveBoston, MA 02127 consists of 140 luxury condos with high-end finishes and all the amenities you would expect from a luxury condo building. The development team at Papas Properties went all out using the latest eco-friendly building techniques and sustainable building materials. Much of the building was constructed with recycled and non-toxic materials (like the Macallen Building insulation of recycled jeans instead of fiberglass!) and all of the fixtures, appliances, and building systems are energy star rated.

The most notable and unique eco-friendly feature is the Macallen Building green roof system, which consists of grass-like sedum that does not store solar energy, and also provides insulation and facilitates rainwater collection. This was a very innovative solution and was the first large scale implementation of such a system in the Boston area.

The best part about the Macallen Building is that when you enter the residences you really have no idea that it was designed to be eco-friendly. It appears to be just another luxury downtown condo building, but it is so much more. The Macallen sets the standard for a sophisticated high-end consumer-friendly luxury lifestyle and sustainable living.

Boston can only hope other condo developers look at this shining example in the Macallen Building of how striving to be environmentally friendly can enhance a project’s overall appeal.

Macallen Building

Clarendon Back Bay – Silver LEED Certification

The next, and newest, green condo project in Boston is the Clarendon. Built by Related, a nationwide developer, the Clarendon seamlessly melds top-end luxury city living with a holistic approach to healthy living. The development team encourages making green a way of life and went to great lengths to provide a “healthy” building for not only the environment, but its residents.

The construction of the building used at least 10% recycled content and over 50% of the waste created during the construction was recycled. Over 20% of the materials used in the building were sourced within 500 miles of its Back Bay construction site, thus reducing transportation impacts and supporting the local economy. Included in the choice of construction materials was a myriad of green products and solutions, most notably; low voc paint, energy star appliances, high efficiency HVAC units, and use of a landscaped roof top to minimize heat gain and absorb storm water. Additionally, the Clarendon strives to encourage a healthy lifestyle by adding several features such as exclusive use of green cleaning products in common areas, offering a 24-hour fitness room, open roof top terrace, lots of natural light and easy access to the area’s recreational facilities.

Related is hoping to achieve LEED silver certification on the building and things are shaping up very well in their favor. Related had a third party consultant oversee the construction of the building systems to be sure that it would meet LEED standards and sources report that the Clarendon is right on track to meet the silver standards. I am confident that they will meet their goal.

Clarendon Back Bay

Bostonians Green Their Own Condos

The third, and perhaps most shocking green development, is your condo. There are hundreds of condo associations and complexes all over the city striving to “greenify” their residences and I challenge you to make your complex among the leaders! In a previous article of mine (see Top 3 Condo Energy Upgrades), I outlined a plan that will get you started on becoming a greener condo owner. If you are truly passionate about the environment and being a better neighbor, I challenge you to spearhead a movement in your complex, get some changes made, and let me know about it so we can feature the change in a future article of mine. Remember, it all starts with an energy audit!

These examples of Boston eco friendly developments are just the tip of the iceberg. More and more developers and Bostonians are realizing that to go green does not mean you have to make sacrifices in your quality of life. As more and more people become aware of this, green features will start to have a greater impact on the decision process of home buying. Keep an eye out for future projects and keep in mind, small changes can have huge impacts!

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Macallen Building Seeks Buyers & Renters

March 13, 2009 By

In what seems to be a developing trend, the Macallen Building in South Boston is beginning to offer a sizeable chunk of its remaining inventory (still owned by the developer, Pappas Properties) for rent. 

Certain units have been identified as rentals, however, in effect, the entire inventory also remains for-sale, and for-sale prices have been dropped substantially all the way into the $400 per square foot range – in light of the economic downturn, apartment rentals at the Macllen Building appear to be the best option and current rental specials signal Pappas Properties is serious about quickly bolstering building occupancy and paying down outstanding debt.

This Macallen Building rental special offer is on the table for renters who choose a 14-month lease, beginning on or around April 1st, and involves two months of free rent – all utilities (even Direct TV), and one garage parking space all included in the rental fee.  It’s extremely rare for a luxury Boston condo development boasting such a stacked list of amenities and quality to offer such a promotion.  From its newly finished onsite gym to the heated three-season pool on the 20,000 square foot landscaped terrace to the soon to open gourmet market, the things to do right at the Macallen Building outnumber those in several small New England towns.  Not to mention it’s located right next to the Red Line Broadway T stop and the Harbor Walk.

Rents start at $2,200 for the one available studio, $2,250 for spacious and open loft 1-bedroom units, $3,500 for 2-bedroom apartments, and $6,900 for the one available 3-bedroom. 

If you factor in the 2 months of free rent, most of the rents will come down by at least $300 per month effectively, which makes this offer rather compelling for the trendsetting renter to live in one of the most unique buildings Boston has ever seen.

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Macallen Listing Stands Alone

January 13, 2009 By

Not long ago, all of the remaining developer units at the Macallen were removed from the Boston MLS and LINK systems.  The sales staff at the Macallen continues to show units via direct appointments, but does not currently appear to be soliciting sales via the broker community.  In light of this current, and more than likely temporary, situation there is only a single unit listed for sale at the Macallen Building via the MLS systems of Boston, and it just underwent a significant price reduction, making it the most attractive (figuratively and literally) condo in the 140-unit development.

Unit 206 is an 801 square foot south-facing unit on the 5th floor that is currently configured with a sleeping alcove, but could easily be converted into a true one-bedroom.  The Macallen Building, and its sister development, Court Square Press, are stacked with amenities, and given the economies of scale with the two buildings, access to these amenities is kept reasonably low with a $396 monthly HOA fee.  Originally listed at $448,800, the Seller recently reduced their asking price to $419,900.

The first open house at this new price point will take place Sunday, January 18, 2009 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

Macallen Building 206

Macallen Building 206 Kitchen

Filed Under: South Boston Condos Tagged With: ,

Least Expensive Macallen Building Listing

November 2, 2008 By

According to the Boston MLS, there are currently 11 units for sale at the South Boston green Macallen Building.  The development, and the process that made the Gold LEED certified building a reality, was featured in a documentary film called the Greening of Southie – for those that live in the development, and for those interested in potentially living in the development, the film is an eye-opening experience to the painstaking process that went into the LEED certification effort.

Macallen Building

The 11 condos for sale at Macallen currently have an average listing price per square foot of approximately $614.  Unit 206, an open floor plan south-facing one-bedroom 801 square foot unit is currently listed at $448,800 ($560 per square foot), and represents the least expensive one-bedroom Macallen condo.

The Macallen Building represents concierge luxury living in a convenient location, with easy access to downtown via the Red Line across the street, and the city’s highways in close proximity. For more information, please use the contact us link at the top of this page.

100_0925 100_0931

Filed Under: South Boston Condos Tagged With: ,

Macallen Building Open House

October 18, 2008 By

South Boston’s Macallen Building, Boston’s first Gold LEED certified condo development, offers Buyers a stocked lineup of amenities, from a heated lap pool, to screening room with adjacent kitchen and bath for private parties, high-end fitness center, and 24-hour concierge.

Listed at $448,800, the least expensive 800+ square foot condo in the building for sale, unit 206 offers an open floorplan with sleeping alcove and high-end amenities galore.  Monthly HOA fee of approximately $396 includes Heat, Hot Water, Gas, Water, Sewer, Master Insurance, Security, Swimming Pool, Elevator, Exterior Maintenance, Landscaping, Snow Removal, Exercise Room, Internet, and DirecTV.  Onsite direct access parking is available for rent, or purchase (at $50,000).

Unit 206 at the Macallen Building will be held open Sunday, October 19, 2008 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.  Across the street from the Red Line’s Broadway T-Stop, it’s a convenient location to stop into during your Sunday afternoon.  For more information, please contact us using the link at the top of this page.

Macallen Building

Filed Under: Boston Open Houses Tagged With: ,

Macallen Price Reductions Generate Interest

September 16, 2008 By

Absorption of the 140-unit new green (LEED certified) Macallen Building in South Boston has been steady since its opening in summer 2007.  Given the complexities and care that go into the development of such an environmentally-friendly and progressive building, price points are naturally  higher than its adjacent sister condo development, Court Square Press. That said, we predicated that a fully sold out Macallen Building would take slightly longer than perhaps a “standard” condo development elsewhere in the city, but nonetheless, Macallen is quickly approaching a sell out.

Macallen Building

The sales team at the Macallen has the privilege of pushing a really good product.  And when we say good, we mean amenities galore, attention to clever details, accommodation / willingness to work through any punch list items to make a unit perfect, easy transportation (public and private) access, and an anchor property in a neighborhood now well-grounded in high-end condo developments and emerging commercial and retail space.  Additionally, the marketing effort has been helped by some innovative sales plays, the most notable of which involved the sales office giving a free hybrid car to unit Buyers that went Under Agreement and closed by certain deadlines (see Buy at Macallen, Get a Free Hybrid Car).  The latest move is perhaps not as headline catching, but provocative in its own right, as some units have been reduced in price upwards of $100,000.

Take for instance unit 804, a 1,191 square foot two-bedroom two-bathroom unit that features a balcony, lots of light on a high south-facing floor, and one deeded garage parking space in the direct elevator access garage, recently reduced approximately $100,000 to a new listing price of $689,000.  While the onsite sales office is accessible seven days a week, an open house was held this past weekend, and traffic in response to the price moves, was strong.

With the crisp, clean, and minimalist type lines and finishes at Macallen, the look may not suit everyone’s taste, but it’s hard to argue with the community that is being created between Macallen and Court Square Press (the two buildings now combine to form one condo association), and the living style and amenities (bordering on the “valet lifestyle” that we coined here) that are at your fingertips.  For more information on available units at the Macallen, contact us using the link at the top of this page.

Macallen Building

Filed Under: South Boston Condos Tagged With: ,

Macallen Building and Neighbors

August 15, 2008 By

A popular search phrase lately has been the Macallen Building, a 140-unit luxury eco-friendly development in South Boston.  Macallen opened to residents a little over a year ago, and has been well received by not only Bostonians, but the building has been the center of attention in many regards, namely for it LEED certification, the first in downtown Boston.

We predicted absorption of this large luxury development in South Boston would be slow with the (relatively) high price per square foot being demanded given the investment that a LEED certification requires.  Nonetheless, absorption has been steady, with currently only 16, both resale and developer, units for sale in the building. While sales prices at the Macallen over the past 6 months (10 units sold) have only been at 89% of list price, the price per square foot has averaged $570, which is still setting a new standard for South Boston.

Macallen’s sister development, Court Square Press, in comparison, has 5 units for sale currently, and over the past 6 months, the 7 units that sold in the building averaged $464 per square foot.  Court Square press offers more classic loft style living with exposed brick and beam, at a lower price point than Macallen, however, Court Square Press residents enjoy all of the same common amenities that Macallen residents enjoy – Macallen and Court Square Press were both built by Pappas Properties, and share a parking garage, lap pool, large deck with grills, fitness center, and viewing room with adjacent kitchen and bathroom (perfect for private parties).

Across the street, Macallen and Court Square Press have two new neighbors, the Allele building, and the Lofts at 36 A.  The Boston MLS shows that there are currently 18 condos for sale at Allele, with the average price per square foot of those sold over the past 6 months at approximately $390. The Allele is a new construction building, and boasts small outdoor balconies, yet lacks the same level of amenities that Macallen and Court Square Press can offer residents.  While the Lofts at 36 A lack some of the same amenities, it offers residents high end finishes, and a fabulous roof deck (both common and private spaces).  36 A, a boutique 26-unit development, is almost sold out, with 3 units currently available.  Over the past 6 months, the 14 units that sold averaged approximately $465 per square foot.

With all four of these developments being steps from the Red Line, they represent a viable alternative to some of the other core downtown neighborhoods, allowing your dollar to be stretched a little farther, especially in new construction.

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Boston Real Estate Tidbits

April 24, 2008 By

Much has been happening this week, the activity levels on multiple fronts (announcements, under agreement properties, website traffic, auctions, etc.) is truly starting to create a buzz around town. Here is some of the latest.

Auctions – yes, that’s plural, it looks like downtown Boston residents will see at least two auctions in the near future, both at the Modern South End and the Broadluxe. Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available (i.e. auction dates, etc.). Update: see Modern South End Boston Condo Auction.

285 Columbus Lofts – construction is flying along, as well as under agreement units. Occupancy is currently being targeted for mid May (this would be the first on time or ahead of schedule development in quite some time) and they are approximately 60% sold out at 285 Columbus Lofts – congratulations to Pat Cutter and the rest of the team there, fabulous property.

Parking Spaces – we just included a new Back Bay parking space for sale on our Boston Parking Spaces page – $90K for an inside tandem spot is pushing the envelope.

Macallen Building Video – the green Macallen condo development in what we call, northern South Boston, is getting some serious exposure from the Sundance Channel in a new feature film on the “greening of Southie”. Kudos to Pappas Properties for establishing green building as the new benchmark in Boston condos.

The Clarendon Back Bay – the ultra luxury Clarendon Back Bay began to install a huge plywood enclosure system from PERI Formwork Systems on the development. Soon the entire property will be covered in plywood so construction can continue behind it. Rumor is that large Boston Condo Guy ads will be displayed on the exterior of the plywood.

1330 Boylston Now Leasing – The new Fenway development is now leasing for August 1st occupancy. Contact the leasing team at 617 267 1330 for more information (look at that, catchy phone number, eh?).

Boston Marathon – not Robert Cheruiyot, but, John Keith. Congratulations go out to John for knocking out the tough course in a strong 3:45:29 finishing time, and for raising thousands of dollars for Community Servings in the process.

Some definite water cooler tidbits from the Boston Condo Blog. For more details, or for assistance in buying or selling a downtown Boston condo, please contact us using the link at the top of this page.

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Macallen Building Condo HOA Fees

April 3, 2008 By

We’ve received several inquiries lately regarding condo (HOA) fees at the Macallen Building in northern South Boston. HOA fees at Macallen include: Concierge, Heat, Hot Water, Gas, Water, Sewer, Master Insurance, Security, Swimming Pool, Elevator, Exterior Maintenance, Road Maintenance, Landscaping, Snow Removal, Recreational Facilities, Viewing Room, Exercise Room, and a Garden Area.

The Macallen Building is the first LEED certified development in Boston. Currently available units, and their corresponding fees, are detailed below. For more information about Macallen, or to setup a showing for a unit that fits your buying criteria, contact us.

macallen-condo-fees

Macallen Building

Filed Under: South Boston Condos Tagged With: ,
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