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  The site is located at the intersection of Western Avenue and North Harvard Street.

The Boston Redevelopment Authority has approved Samuels & Associates' (developers of the Fenway Triangle  project, among many others) proposal for a 325-unit apartment project in the Barry's Corner section of Allston - after the developer agreed to increase the number of parking spots from 180 to 225.

Instead of adding more parking spaces to project, the developer made plans for valets to park cars in the development's parking garage if the original 180 spaces are in use. Improvements to Smith Field, a local park, were also added to the proposal.

In addition to the 325 new rental units, the project will also provide 45,000 square feet of ground floor retail and restaurant space. 40 on-street parking spots will be available for shopper use, in addition to the underground garage spaces.

The 2.7 acres parcel is owned by Harvard University, and is part of their quest to redevelop the area as a satellite campus. Construction will start this fall.

“The Barry’s Corner project represents an important first step in the redevelopment of North Allston,” Mayor Thomas M. Menino said according to a release issued by the developer. “I commend Samuels & Associates and Harvard University for coming together to meet the needs of the community, which will now benefit from shops, activities, and beautiful public space right in their own backyard.” (Quote Source: Plan's for Barry's Corner Released, Harvard Magazine) 

 (Image Source: Boston Redevelopment Authority)

Further Reading:

Boston developer wins approval for Barry's Corner project in Allston, with help from valet parking (Boston Business Journal)

Harvard's Barry's Corner Projects Approved (Harvard Crimson)

Mayor Menino Announces: New Projects Moving Forward (Boston Redevelopment Authority) 

Just over a week after the tragic events which rocked our city, things are returning to normal.

As you may or may not know, the 2nd explosion occurred on our block, directly outside our very building (in front of Starbucks). Fortunately, only two employees were present at the time, and they are unharmed. Thankfully, the rest of our team is safe as well. 

Today, Boylston Street remains closed to traffic, the general public, and the press. However, business owners and residents were gradually allowed to return to the impacted areas.

This afternoon, tenants of 745 Boylston Street were allowed to re-enter the building, but only to inspect and review space. Above, Jason Weissman awaits entry to our headquarters.

While we are eager and excited to get back to work, our thoughts are with those and the families of those injured during this horrific event. We're the lucky ones - for us, everything will return to normal. There are many whom are not so lucky. We'll keep you posted as things progress on Boylston Street.

Boylston Street remains closed to traffic and the general public. Notice the cars parked the wrong way. This picture was taken today at 4:25 PM.

Graphic rendering of The Element in Allston

The Element in Boston, a new luxury apartment building touting its ‘green’ designation, showcases an ingrained passion for quality and nature. The Element is the first in a series of innovative, environmentally-conscious luxury apartment buildings in Allston, known as the “Green District.”

The demand for Boston’s new LEED-certified construction is reaffirmed by how quickly the building was leased, and by the responses of the residents. Leasing began on the green-certified building almost a year ago; its 100 luxury apartments were preleased in eight weeks.

And it’s no wonder why – with luxury finishes and clean design, a movie theatre, a fitness center, and a rooftop terrace, who wouldn’t want to live at the Element? Recycling chutes and environmental lease clauses nudge residents to do their part to reduce harm to the environment.

Developer, the Mount Vernon Company, seeks to transform the portion of Allston, located between Commonwealth Avenue and Brainerd Road, into a forward-thinking green haven.

Follow the link to view the full listing page: The Element in Allston

To find out about availability at the Element, or to learn more about it’s sister building, the Edge, please contact Kristy Ganong at 617-375-9638.

Rendering of the exterior of The Edge in Allston

Construction is underway on the Edge in Boston, the second building in a collection of environmentally-prudent, luxury apartments in Boston’s Allston neighborhood, labeled ‘The Green District.’

The Green District, developed by the Mount Vernon Company, is the largest, privately funded, multi-family community in the history of Boston’s Allston neighborhood. It is conveniently located on the Allston/Brookline border, just a block from the Green Line. Each building offers unique character, while all are constructed to the highest, environmental standards to earn LEED-certification.

Green certification isn’t the only merit of the Edge, however; the beautiful Allston apartments feature all the amenities one could ask for, and more. The modern new construction flaunts eco-friendly, loft-style apartments with 9’ ceilings. The unit mix consists of studios, 1 bedrooms, 1 bedroom + den, and 2 bedrooms. Each apartment offers designer kitchens with silestone countertops and stainless steel appliances. In-unit stackable washers and dryers make laundry less of a chore.

This apartment residence is truly a community, providing ample space for residents to interact. An outdoor patio complete with gas grills, a movie theater, and a putting green provide plenty of opportunity for tenants to become neighbors, and neighbors to become friends. For those looking to embrace the outdoors while exercising, the state-of-the-art fitness center opens out onto a terrace. Both surface and underground garage parking are available.

Leasing has already begun on The Edge, with tenants able to take occupancy August 1st, 2013.

You can view the full listing page here: The Edge in Allston. 



If you’re interested in living at The Edge in Allston, please contact Boston Realty Advisors’ rental team at 617-375-7900.

Photo Credit: Boston Globe

According to the Boston Courant, a proposed Fenway residential tower would add 320 apartments, but no parking spaces. The company developing the parcel, Samuels & Associates, owns Trilogy at 180 Brookline Ave. Trilogy reportedly contains sufficient parking to quell the demand that the new building would bring.
 
The proposed high rise, known as the "The Point," would be located at the corner of Brookline Avenue and Boylston Street. The 22-story tower’s proposed unit mix consists of studio, one, two, and three bedroom rentals. The ground level would also be home to 33,000 square feet of retail space.
 
Residents of the neighborhood have expressed concern that more parking spaces would increase the area’s air pollution and traffic congestion. Many were happy to learn that The Point would not include new parking spaces.
 
However, Fenway is a rapidly changing area and whether residents approve or not, there are new parking spaces being added. Children’s Hospital has plans for a 525-space parking garage near Kenmore Square. The proposed five-building mixed-use Fenway Center development would also include 1,290 new spaces.
 
The Point isn’t the only thing Samuels & Associates is building in Fenway. The company is also responsible for the 1325 Fenway Triangle project (also know as Boylston West), located at 1325 Boylston Street, between Yawkey Way and Kilmarnock Street. Like the Point, the 700,000 SF Fenway Triangle project goes beyond residential, and will include office, retail, restaurants, and a Target store.

Read More: "Residential tower pitched for the Fenway" [Boston Globe]

CoStar’s picks for Power Brokers 2012 have been announced. The prestigious Power Broker Awards are presented to those with the highest transaction volume in commercial property sales and leasing in their respective markets. 

This year, Boston Realty Advisors was recognized for both sales and leasing. Congratulations to our talented agents and special thanks to our devoted clients. 

To read the full list, click here.

It's no secret that the Back Bay/Beacon Hill/South End condo market is heating up. But by just how much? Let's take a look at the numbers.

As the numbers above indicate, the Back Bay/Beacon Hill/South End condo market is out of control. The average sale price for condos in Beacon Hill/Back Bay/South End thus far is $1,157,002, a $162,013 increase over homes sold in these neighborhoods during the same time period last year.

Furthermore, this number is a 34.8% increase over the selling price for homes in the same area, same time period five years ago.

If you're looking to sell, now is the time. Contact Robb Cohen, Boston's Only True Marketing Broker, for a strategic pricing assessment and to learn how he can put his expertise to work for you.

** Based on data from MLS which also includes homes currently under agreement.

Boston Realty Advisors is in search of a qualified candidate to become the Director of Residential Leasing for its firm.

The candidate should be a passionate leader with the ability to lead by example through hard work and to have the commitment to excel in our industry. The main job responsibilities include attracting, training and retaining qualified rental brokers, managing landlord relationships and increasing the department revenue.

The candidate should have 1-2 years’ experience as a manager in residential real estate, be able to work long hours and be extremely dedicated to the business.

Boston Realty Advisors is one of the largest independently owned real estate brokerages in New England and was founded in 2001. In addition to its rental brokerage, the firm is active in residential real estate sales and commercial real estate.

Remuneration Package: Benefits and Base Draw

Start Date: Immediate

Location: Back Bay, Boston

Contact: Arianne Fitts-Napier

Commercial real estate sales experienced a tremendous increase in 2012, jumping 22% from the previous year. This is the highest annual total since 2004.

Strong developer demand for apartment sites propelled a 3.6% gain in commercial land prices, traditionally a slower segment of the market.

Investment momentum appears to be shifting towards a market dominated by smaller, less-expensive properties.

Construction and multifamily redevelopment increased significantly in 2012. However, the multifamily sector experienced only a 1.4% gain in the fourth quarter, the lowest percentage increase among all major property types. At the same time, annual pricing gains for the apartment sector outpaced all others.

Read More: CRE Sales Surge in 2012 as Pricing Recovery Spreads to More Markets [CoStar]

Photo Credit: Boston.com

With this week’s premiere of “Southie Rules,” everyone is talking about South Boston. Meatball deliveries and yuppie Mommy parties aside, let’s take a look at what else is happening in Southie.
 
401 West First Street Development (pictured above): This new residential building will consist of four portions linked by one foundation. There will be forty-five units with sixty-three parking spaces. The unit mix consists of two, three, and four bedroom apartments. Construction will take at least thirty months.
 
Expansion on the BCEC: Plans to expand the largest building in New England, the Boston Convention and Expo Center, are currently in the works. The augmented center would be roughly twice the current size. Two mid-priced hotels are also included in the development plan, as well as a headquarters hotel developed by the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority. In total, the expansion would be a roughly $2 billion venture.
 
Harpoon Beer Hall Set to Open in Early February: Harpoon’s unique 300-seat beer hall will be opening very soon. This German-style pub will allow patrons to enjoy brews and fill growlers while catching a glimpse of the brewery at work. The hall will serve only pretzels so as not to threaten nearby restaurants.
 
Are you looking to rent an apartment in South Boston or purchase a home? Are you thinking of selling your South Boston home or looking for tenants? Contact Lindsay Guittarr, our South Boston specialist!

Read More:

• The 401 West First Street Development by the Numbers [Boston.com]
• Expanded Boston convention center in the works [Patriot Ledger]
• Harpoon Beer Hall Coverage on Eater