STORY OF THE WEEK: Filene's Takeover
Mar 10 2010 17:07:00 EST
The redevelopment of Downtown Crossing's Filene's has been at a halt because of lack of financial funding for 18 months and it has finally reached a legal point where the city of Boston can take control of the construction and find a new development team. The development team had initially planned a $700 million mixed-used complex that included an 39-story tower above a restored Filene’s building. But when the credit crisis struck in 2008, commercial lending ground to a halt, leaving Filene’s and dozens of other major projects across the country without funds to complete construction. Now it is March of 2010 and re-elected Mayor Menino has threatened to take the project over by eminent domain in hopes that the current the current development team to resume the construction on the site. The developers, local businesses, Boston residences and city officials are sick this situation and the current giant hole in the middle of the busy Downtown Crossing area, so it is time for someone to step up. This should all be settled by August at latest. We will keep you updated on any breaking news on the FIlene's Controversy.
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LUXURY CONDO OF THE WEEK: 1443 Beacon Street
Mar 09 2010 17:30:00 EST
1443 Beacon Street is a luxury apartment complex located in the heart of Brookline, near Washington Square and Coolidge Corner. Just steps from amazing shopping, dining, parks and MBTA's Green Line. Most units include large floor plans, eat in spacious kitchens with top of the line stainless steel appliances, wall to wall carpeting, balcony space and central air. Residents of 1443 Beacon also enjoy the luxury of 24 hour concierge and designated underground parking. AVAILABLE UNITS:Apartment 312: 1 bed.1 bath - 788 sq ft - New Kitchen - $2100Apartment 709: 2 bed. 2 bath - 1080 sq ft - Balcony - $2800Apartment 708: 1 bed. 1 bath - 788 sq ft - Terrace - $2000 OWNER PAYS 1/2 FEE!!For more information or to view this units please contact AnthonyJRich@gmail.com
New Video: Mandarin Oriental Boston: Penthouse 1 C (Roof Deck View)
Mar 09 2010 16:55:00 EST
'Talk of the Town' Mandarin Penthouse 1 C is the epitome of penthouse living in the city of Boston. Unmatched location, views, space (interior / exterior) and interior finishes in the worlds most renowned full service hotels.PH 1-C5141 Sq. ft4 Bedrooms 4.5 BathroomDirect Elevator Access From Unit to Private Deck2000 + Outdoor Living Space2 Valet Garage ParkingFor more information or to set up an appointment to see this beautiful unit please contact AnthonyJRich@gmail.com
LUXURY CONDO OF THE WEEK: Broadluxe Lofts
Mar 09 2010 15:49:00 EST
The Broadluxe Lofts are located in the heart of Boston's Financial District at 99-105 Broad Street. It is home to 44 beautiful loft style units. Some of the units are ready for your personal touch and customization because of the large open floor plans. This building is over 100 years old, but has been beautifully renovated and transfered into a great loft living complex back in 2008. They did keep original beam and brick which gives it a very loft and cozy look and feel. FEATURED LISTING: UNIT 3AUnit 3A is a large open floor planned one bedroom + study home with exposed brick and beam, high ceilings and beautiful hardwood floors, measuring at 1087 sq ft. The kitchen is open as well with an island and features great custom cabinets, granite countertops and top of the line stainless steel appliances. The large windows give the unit excellent lighting. Unit 3A also has central air and central heat as well as a washer and dryer. Rent INCLUDES heat and hot water! GREAT location and views! NOW RENTING FOR $3000 a month, after a $600 price drop!
OPEN HOUSE OF THE WEEK: 199 State Street
Mar 05 2010 16:17:00 EST
199 State Street - Waterfront/Financial District, Boston MA - $1,596,000 **$1,000,000 PRICE REDUCTION**This is a beautiful loft style condominium located in the Waterfront and Financial District of Boston. Its has 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms and 2,670 sq ft of space. Was featured in Distinctive Homes on its front page in December of 2008. It is an absolute luxury gem with its secure elevator entrance, polished gold concrete floors, gourmet kitchen with state of the art appliances, caesar stone counter tops, 14" ceilings with exposed beams and great natural lighting that pours into each room due to large windows throughout the unit. Also has a beautiful balcony with great views. Washer and dryer in unit as well! This is a real unique home and happens to be one of Boston's few smart homes. Great price as well! OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULE: 3/06 1:15-2:30 & 3/07 1:15-2:30For more information or to see this property please contact AnthonyJRich@gmail.com
Developers Look at Howard Johnson Motel of Fenway
Mar 05 2010 15:31:00 EST
Local developers, Weiner Ventures are looking at the Howard Johnson Motel located directly behind Fenway Park, on Boylston Street. They have plans to turn the run down motel into a luxurious 350,000 sq ft boutique hotel, residential and retail space. The permitting process has begun as Weiner Ventures have filed their letter of intent with the Boston Redevelopment Authority this past week. The letter proposed the construction of two interconnected buildings towering 12 stories high, with 175,000 sq ft of residential space, 170,000 sq ft of hotel space and more than 4,000 sq ft of retail space. The project will also include 280 underground parking spaces. The Howard Johnson Motel has on the development block since 2005, when there were rumors of the Boston Red Sox and the current owners of the motel of teaming up and converting the space at 1271 Boylston Street into a $140 million luxury condominium complex. The space is perfect for something new. The Fenway park area is in dire need of a new development, and I think a hotel and residential space is perfect. The development will give this neighborhood the change it needs. It will be interesting to see the future of this project. We will keep you posted. For more information please contact AnthonyJRich@gmail.com
Best Performing Housing Markets: United States
Mar 26 2010 14:23:00 EST
The housing market is in a slow recovery. It is improving, but at a very slow rate. A flat housing market within the last 12 months isn't that terrible considering only 6 of 20 major real estate markets showed a positive year-over-year gain. Between those 20 cities they are down an average of 3.1% over this past year. Nationally prices remain down close to 30% from 2006. Fortunately there are six cities that showed some hope in year-over-year growth.1) San Francisco 4.8%2) Dallas 3.0%3) San Diego 2.7%4) Washington 1.9%5) Denver 1.2%6) Boston 0.5%
HBS Real Estate "Back to Basics" Conference
Mar 25 2010 15:24:00 EST
The Annual HBS Real Estate Symposium brings student together with current professionals working in Real Estate. This symposium gives these students the chance to meet some of the most influential real estate executives in the country. There will be many speeches, breakout sessions and open ended discussions. They will examine and discuss real estate trends, real estate practices and opportunities to build a future career in Real Estate. On Friday February 26 from 7:00PM-9:00PM the HBS is holding a Welcoming Mixer at the Harvard Faculty Club followed by Saturday's event beginning at 8:00AM and the final mixer ending at 5:30PM.Will be a great event with many special and intelligent guests that will be helpful to students interested in a future in Real Estate. For more information please contact AnthonyJRich@gmail.com
New Cambridge Luxury Development
Mar 24 2010 15:11:00 EST
Cambridgeport is home to a new luxury low-rise development that features 11 condominiums. There is one 1 bedroom unit listed at $600,000 and there are 10 two bedroom units ranging in prices from $750,000 to $895,000. All units enjoy one off-street parking spaces behind the building. Open living space, large cooking friendly kitchens, new appliancnes and luxurious master suites with spa finishes. Most units have outdoor space as well. The condos are contemporary and have a fresh and modern flair. Beautiful location for a luxurious living space like the 72 Hamilton Street Condos. FEATURED UNIT: Unit 10Has 5 total rooms. 2 bedrooms and 2 1/2 bathrooms. 1345 sq ft. Central air. Extra Storage. Exposed Brick and Hardwood Floors. NEW appliances. Professionally Managed. Intercom. Beautiful unit close to public transportation, shopping, bike and walking trails, public school. A MUST SEE UNIT!!! A MUST SEE BUILDING!!! For more information and to set up an appointment to see this property please contact AnthonyJRich@gmail.com
Luxury Building Sales Comparison by Square Footage: Boston 2009
Mar 16 2010 13:36:00 EST
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Luxury Building Sales Comparison by Number of Bedrooms: Boston 2009
Mar 16 2010 13:32:00 EST
Luxury Building Yearly Sales Summary: Boston 2009
Mar 16 2010 13:30:00 EST
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Boston Luxury Apartment Building List: 2009
Mar 16 2010 13:24:00 EST
For more information or to set up an appointment please contact AnthonyJRich@gmail.com
Auction Alert: Beacon Hill Row House
Mar 11 2010 11:36:00 EST
Developers Peter & Elizabeth Georgantas are putting there 5700 sq. ft. building up for auction on March 3rd. Back in September 2008 they decided to sell it, listing it at $8.95 million, but the market came to a screeching halt. Potential buyers were too worried about making any quick offers because of the on going crippling of the economy. They dropped the price by a million dollars, still no offers, even dropped it down to $7 million, still no serious offers. Now the Georgantas are deciding to put it up for auction, which is very rare for the historical district of Beacon Hill. The bidding will start at a $5 million minimum. They are anxious to begin work on their next project and it has become frustrating to see such a beautiful property sit vacant for so long. In addition to this Brimmer Street property, the Georgantas also purchased a building adjacent to this one for $4.5 million with no further intentions of converting the current 18 rental units back to an elegant single family home. Both buildings are severely updated with extremely high end features which include: five bedrooms, four bathrooms, three powder rooms and seven fireplaces per home. Also includes heated floors and an air purification system throughout each home. The March 3rd auction will be done in tandem with a two-bedroom, 2400 sq ft condo on nearby Lime Street which has been listed for $1.8 million and will be held at a minimum bid of $1.2 million. The auction will be run by Great Rock Auctions, a Boston-based firm with experience in high-quality real estate. The auction will be held inside the Brimmer Street home. This auction should be great, good chance to get a beautiful, one of a kind home for a great price. For more information on this auction please contact AnthonyJRich@gmail.com
New Residential Developments: South Boston
Mar 10 2010 14:01:00 EST
309 Old Colony Avenue Condominiums:Approved for 16 Condo Units above existing retail space. 4 stories with 27 parking spaces. 3 Dorchester Street - Phase II:Approved for 22, 3BDR units394 & 404 West Second Street:20,000 sq. ft. building that will be home to 27 residential units and 41 parking spots.770-774 East Third Street:Has been approved for a new residential building with 18 units stretched among five stories, including an enclosed garage parking in the rear of the building for approximately 12 vehicles and an additional 19 parking spots on site as well. 902 East Second Street:The construction will begin for a 44 residential unit building and 49 parking spaces.Emerald Court:The construction has been delayed for the 242-unit condominium and 3,600 sq. ft. of retail space. Located near D Street and C Street, West First Street and West Second Street. 371-401 D Street Residences:243,195 sq ft. of Land for a 690,00 sq. ft. residential building that will be home to 585 condominium units in 4 different buildings with 724 parking spaces.
In International News: New Residential Project in Dubai
Mar 10 2010 13:53:00 EST
Big time developer Zaya has started a new trend, which is helping struggling companies with their also struggling projects and turning it into gold. His company has a midas touch on residential developments and is said to be turning this currently not so hot project into 90 luxury residential units. This is not the only project in the works for this team, they are eyeing a mixed use building as well as a resort near Goa. All three locations are still being kept quiet, but we will keep you posted. For more information please contact AnthonyJRich@gmail.com
Mar 09 2010 13:58:00 EST
The Signal Building @ 154 West 2nd Street:The BRA approved the construction and redevelopment of the Signal Building at 154 W. 2nd Street in South Boston. It will be home to 75 new condominium units. Over 20 of them will be designed for artists, kind of a live/work place for them and 6 affordable units. They are also adding a 2 story rooftop addition to the Signal Building as well as a common courtyard to the site.319 A Street (Rear) in Fort Point Channel:The 315,00 sq. ft. of space in the Fort Point Channel area of South Boston has been approved to eventually be home to a 232-unit apartment complex at 319 A Street (rear), which stands behind the Chimera Lighting Store. 259,00 sq. ft. will be designated to residential space. 333-339 W. Broadway Street:This will be home to a new 16-unit mixed use building with 21,500 sq. ft. of living space. 15 ownership units of which 2 are affordable and will feature 23 parking spaces. There will also be 1 commercial unit on the first floor. FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT ANTHONYJRICH@GMAIL.COM
New Residential Project: The Spice Lofts
Mar 09 2010 13:30:00 EST
141 West Second Street: The Spice LoftsThe land was approved for 3 stories, 17 units and 17 parking spaces. Thomas Fitzgerald, the developer, had requested 4 stories, 23 units and 23 parking spaces, which went under review back in 2009 and was declined. So the old warehouse building is now home to The Spice Lofts. The Spice Lofts are in an up and coming area of South Boston, just steps away from the Broadway T Stop where many other new residential developments were put up, such as, The Allele and The MacAllen. Right now these units are being sold "pre construction" so the price includes just a basic finish package and potential buyers are encouraged to submit their offers on the base units. Some buyers will build out the raw space themselves which will be really cool and at the very least other buyers have the great opportunity to choose their own finishes throughout their unit through the developer. Building & Unit Features:-All 17 units are corner units all expanding over 1200 sq. ft.-A lot of natural light due to oversized windows-Direct access garage parking-11ft ceilings-Elevator Building-Some outdoor space available (limited so act now)-Concrete Columns-Polished Concrete Floors-Beautiful City ViewsFor more information on The Spice Lofts please contact AnthonyJRich@gmail.com
Available Back Bay Manor Units
Mar 08 2010 17:03:00 EST
The Back Bay Manor at Longwood is nestled in between some of Boston's leading health care and Educational institutions. Heat, hot water and gas are included in all tenants rents. This building also features a seasonal outdoor pool, 24 hour concierge, common fitness center and plenty of parking. Back Bay Manor units also have hardwood floors, generous closet space, dishwasher, large balconies and breathtaking views of the Boston Skyline.NOW AVAILABLE:1 Bed, $1800 - 11th Floor1 Bed, $1900 - 11th Floor w. beautiful updated kitchen2 Bed, $2350 - 12th FloorAVAILABLE APRIL 1ST:1 Bed, $1800 - 18th FloorFor more information or to set up an appointment please contacts AnthonyJRich@gmail.com
More Boston Homes, Condos Listed 'For Sale' in January
Mar 08 2010 15:02:00 EST
More homes in January were listed for sale in January than compared to previous months according to a new nationwide report. January 2010 marked the first time in 18 months that more homes were listed for sale compared to the previous month. 15,000 homes, which is a 2.9% increase listed for sale in comparison to December. In Boston there were 27,547 listed single family homes and condos listed for sale in January which is almost a 5% increase from the previous month. It is a good time to list your house now, do not wait until the spring or summer, take advantage of the tax credit extension.
Boston Neighborhood Condo Sales Trends
Mar 03 2010 07:26:00 EST
Parcel 9 Development on Hold
Mar 29 2010 12:35:00 EST
The decision is still up in the air on what developers are going to be hired for the Parcel 9 project. Rumors say that the decision is at a stand still until February. The reason for this postponement is said to be a result of an opposition by the Haymarket Pushcart Vendors Association against the proposal of rental property on the site of their Thursday - Saturday market. Vendors are trying to stress that the rental building will not fit in to the Haymarket District and that it will change a historic Boston attraction forever. In their support, all of the proposals for that building have included a first floor food market. Trying to keep the Haymarket feel in the area. So as of now it is still undecided whether Parcel 9 will be used for commercial office space, an affordable hotel or rental units. We will keep you posted. For more information please contact AnthonyJRich@gmail.com
New Luxury Building: 755 Boylston Street
Mar 28 2010 12:25:00 EST
755 Boylston Street is now home to Boston's newest, luxury residences. Nestled in the heart of the Back Bay, across from the beautiful Mandarin Oriental Hotel. 755 offers gorgeous 2bed/2bath homes with sleek hardwood flooring, top of the line appliances, fireplaces, private outdoor space, 24/7 concierge and a one of a kind rooftop terrace. Four corner layouts availabe to choose from ranging from 1000-1300 sq. ft. with prices stretching from #3500 - $7500. For more information or to set up an appointment please contact AnthonyJRich@gmail.com
Importance of Staging Your Home
Mar 28 2010 11:25:00 EST
Staging a home simply means improving and positioning your home to look the most attractive and appealing to potential buyers. Sometimes staging your home properly is even more important than the actual functionality. Making it look welcoming and fresh is key to getting you closer to making a sale. A survey taken by a respected nation real estate brokerage firm confirms that "staged homes sell in half the time". Another survey showed that a "$500 staging investment recouped 343 percent of that cost". The economy has brought the real estate market through a bumpy patch this past year and an aid to help improve this market is staging. Staging has been proven that it can work and it can work fast. Staging doesn't necessarily mean that you decorate the house to how you would want to live in it. There is a bit more to the process, you must stage the house to sell. Major factors in staging the home to potential buyers include all of the five senses. Lighting and visual for the eye, sounds for the ear, fragrances for the smell, textures of the home for the touch and if you must having something edible out for potential buyers for taste cannot hurt either. Here are some ways of staging your home quickly and efficiently: Pack away any clutter or collections such as DVD's, CD's, books or games. De-cluttering is a clutch aspect of staging because possible buyers appreciate space when they are strolling through a potential future home. Organization is also a huge key to staging, make sure to satisfy any repairs, such as leaks or malfunctioning doors or windows. Adding a fresh coat of paint is always a good idea because that makes the home appear updated. The kitchen and the bathroom are two areas that become most cluttered and dirty, so in order to impress buyers you must make sure both are squeaky clean and free from clutter. There are many other tactics to consider as well, such as adding pieces to your home, like floor lamps, area rugs, flowers or greenery, cozy and appealing throw pillows, mirrors to give the room a larger image, candles for fresh fragrance and if you have hardwood floors and bright natural lighting, make sure to take advantage of them because that could make a world of a difference as well. Maybe even throw a little music on to bring your home to another element. Some people will put a pie in the oven to create a warm and savory smell throughout their home. Staging is a must when you are trying to sell you home, especially in a market like today. For further tips and help with staging your home please contact AnthonyJRich@gmail.com
Revere Beach Ocean Club Back on Auction
Mar 27 2010 11:28:00 EST
The 242 unit project that was set to bring a new look and development to Revere Beach is back to the auction block in just under two years. The auction took place this morning (January 27th) as Paul E. Saperstein Company will look to sell the 2.1 acres of oceanfront property. Steven Fustolo's Ocean Club was intended to be a 13-story complex with pools, gardens, large windows, bamboo floors and first rate finishes. It was going to bring a Miami feel to the Revere Beach area. It was a beautiful plan for a luxury complex and he even pre sold a penthouse unit for over $3 million and a couple other million dollar units. Just as things were looking up for Fustolo, the market crashed and he could not get a sizeable condominium construction loan. Other developments were closing their deals for big developments right before Fustolo could receive his. It was just a bad timing issue for Fustolo, I think that building could have been a big step to cleaning up the Revere Beach area. It will be interesting to see what is next for the 2.1 acres of waterfront land. Auction was held this morning we will keep you updated. For more information please contact AnthonyJRich@gmail.com