Archive for the 'Boston Real Estate' category

The Fenway, one of Boston's more notable areas, may soon be holding the title of the state's first Cultural District.

If given the support at today's November 14th, City council hearing, the Fenway Cultural Districy (FCD) will be able to apply for the designation; which is given to areas rich in cultural institutions.  The idea of Cultural districts were introduced during a state legislature vote last year as part of an economic development bill.  Due to the newness of the program, the Massachusetts Cultural Commission (MCC) has not deemed any other Boston areas as "Cultural Districts."

The hope is that marketing the Fenway neighborhood as a cultural district will bring about increased tourism, public improvement projects, and higher property values. Which in turn has promise to help boost the local economy by helping to keep businesses afloat and appearances up to par. 

Unfortunately, funds have not yet been set aside by the state to help this program get on its feet.  So for at least a year most of the funding will be done by local organizations and fundraising.  "It's in a dream phase...We'll hopefully see see a lot of concrete things come out of this (hearing)," said Kelly Brilliant, executive director of the Fenway Alliance. "We would really like to think of this as enhancing the entire neighborhood."

If supported by the local elected leaders, the application will hopefully be filed with the MCC by the end of the month, says Brilliant.

Click here to browse Fenway-area condos for sale.

According to the National Association of Realtors Q3 report, Boston metro showed improvement in median home prices while most others were down.

Condo median prices are up 1.9% and single families are up.3% over Q2. We say that means it's a good time to sell your home!

You can read more context in this article on Bloomberg.

As I am sure many of you have read, Boston is undergoing several transformations throughout several of its neighborhoods. Some are undergoing new additions, while others are getting renovated.

Here is an inside look with David Manfredi, principal of Elkus Manfredi Architects, whose firm happens to be one of which that is highly involved with several current/upcoming projects.

"Given all the development in places like Dudley Square, the Fenway, and the South Boston Waterfront, how do you expect the design and atmosphere of the city to change in coming years?

We’re very fortunate, planners and architects especially, to be in Boston. There is activity here, and there are large parts of the country where there’s not nearly as much activity. What’s exciting is that we have this incredible waterfront that sits right next to our downtown, and there is a lot of development there now. It’s not like we’re building at the edges; we’re building so close to the heart of everything." ...Read more HERE (photo credit boston.com) 

photo credit: Boston.com

Enhancing the Landscape: "For a casual passerby, it is easy to overlook the entrance of the Southwest Corridor Park, one of Boston’s largest and most prominent public spaces. It presents itself along Dartmouth Street like an alley between commercial buildings, offering little indication of what lies just a few feet away: a plush, linear park that stretches for 4.7 miles, running from the Back Bay to Jamaica Plain."...Read More

Downtown Crossing Luxury Apartment & Retail: "The 27-story glass-and-stone tower will rise on a vacant lot at LaGrange and Washington streets that once hosted the Gaiety Theater. Scheduled for completion in the summer of 2013, it will also include two or three small retail shops."...Read More

Changes for Fanueil Hall: "Ashkenazy Acquisition Corp., a New York real estate firm, said it has closed on the acquisition of a 63-year lease for Faneuil Hall Marketplace from General Growth Properties, a Chicago mall operator."..Read More

The Halloween Season: Two scary classic films for the price of one? Yes, please! Check out the schedule of double features over at the Somerville Theatre in Davis Square...Read More

photo credit: Boston.com

New Construction in Back Bay, Underway?: "AvalonBay Communities Inc. is expected to start construction today on a 28-story apartment building on Exeter Street in Boston’s Back Bay" Read More

Former Govenor's Cambridge Home up for Sale for 5.5 Million: "The 15-room, eight-bedroom, 4 1/2-bath “Arthur Astor Carey House” at 28 Fayerweather St. went on the market during the middle of last week. The seller is Susan Roosevelt Weld, the former governor’s ex-wife. She now lives in Washington." Read More

Amanada Knox is Headed Home to the USA a Free Lady: After being in an Italian prison for 4 years, "Knox sobbed at the news conference and held her mother's hand as her lawyer Theodore Simon said her acquittal "unmistakably announced to the world" that she was not responsible for the killing of Meredith Kercher." Read More

NEW TO THE MARKET!  SPACIOUS, IMMACULATE JAMAICA PLAIN LOFT FOR SALE!

Last week I got a call from a listing agent to preview a loft in the Boston Area about to hit the market, which is always a pleasure, as I'm eager to get a jump on what's coming up and always willing to give an opinion when asked. It's rare to find something I haven't seen before, but this one was in a complex that I had actually never visited in Jamaica Plain.

From the photo that was sent to me, I knew I was going to see something special, but I was truly delighted by what I saw when the door was opened. 
Every detail in this delightful modern / clean / bright / inspiring loft is about as perfectly thought-out as you can find. From enormous windows to giant canvas-ready walls, to the elegant and industrial style staircase anchoring the levels, to the airy & extremely functional kitchen and dining areas, to the hardwood floors (YES they are gleaming), to the lofted Master Suite (perfectly perched over the huge livingroom) with a spa-like bath, this is about as flawless as it gets with a loft.


Usually when I'm assisting a client in their search, about half of the loft spaces have a "flaw" – well, because lofts sometimes don't always give you much storage or closets, or there is something to be desired in the layout. I really can't find anything that I don't like about this loft! It has amazing storage space (even the well-place murphy bed minimizes the space taken up in the lower level is a thoughtful touch), tasteful lighting, well-designed baths / pantry / closets. The bonus is an easily accessible roof area that is ready to for a roof deck - Boston views included!


Oh, and ever so convenient is that it's steps to the Green Street T stop in Jamaica Plain, has parking included, and is on the bike path!



• 1900 Square Feet (although feels closer 25')
• 2 Bedrooms (including the amazing Master Suite)
• 1 Full Bath & 1 Half Bath
• Parking Included
• Great Jamaica Plain location
• Price: $519,000

On October 6th, 25 brand new lofts will be auctioned off. Minimum bids will start at $115,000! The average minimum bid is more than 50% off the last asking price - making these an unbelievable value.



These lofts boastopen floor plans, 10' - 16' ceilings, gorgeous kitchens w/ stainless steel appliances & granite countertops, private terraces & balconies available, exposed beams, spa-like baths, oversized factory-sized windows, with a mixture of hardwood and polished concrete floors.



DNA Lofts is located at the desirable northern tip of Dorchester, steps to the Redline T, where an influx of new restaurants and retail has created a "buzz" within the residential community. 


Boston Realty Advisors has proudly announced the fourth annual "Playing for Parkinsons" charity tennis event and dinner to support the Beth Isreal Deaconess Medical Center on Wednesday, September 14, 2011.  

The two part benefit will feature tennis on grass courts at the Longwood Cricket Club, followed by a dinner at the Beth Isreal Deaconess Medical Center with honorary speaker Karl "Chip" Case, co-creator of the acclaimed Standard and Poors Case-Shiller Home Price Index.

Full information and registration for the event is available at www.gratefulnation.org/playingforparkinsons

The sponsor, Boston Realty Advisors, is one of Boston's biggest and best real estate firms.  If you or someone you know is interested in residential or commercial real estate, contact Boston Realty Advisors today!

photo credit: Boston.com

Interested in Living in Boston?: Take a look at this list of the most expensive neighborhoods in Boston - compiled by Rental Beast...Boston.com

Renting the New Way of Life?: "Boston real estate agents say they are starting to see an increase in the number of people in their 50s and 60s looking to lease apartments. While real estate firms don’t break down statistics by age, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Boston said aging renters have helped drive up its overall rentals by 25 percent this year compared to last year." Read more..Boston.com

Live Like a Cambridge-ite in Somerville: "The new housing complex will feature a high-end community kitchen, a yoga studio, and a wireless suite for residents who prefer social networking to reality television - amenities that would appeal to the hip, young population of Kendall Square." Read more about this new project...Boston.com

Food Trucks Take the Streets of Boston: If you haven't gotten the chance to check out any of the great food trucks lining the streets of Boston here is a great article to entice you..Boston.com

                        Photo Credit: Boston.com

Boston's Waterfront Branded the "Innovation District": After being delayed for quite a while, work on Pier 4 in Boston's Seaport district is finally underway. A $170 million apartment and retail tower are just among some of the things that will continue to transform the city's waterfront. Mayor Menino also added, "There's a lot of excitement, and it's really different from anything anything I have seen in my career."  Read more

Single-Family Home Sales Up 7%: The Warren Group, a Boston firm that specializes in tracking real estate data has reported that the sales of single-family homes in Massachusetts is up 7% from July 2010. Read more

BRA is Hosting a Pubic Meeting: On Wednesday, August 24th from 6-8PM, in the Fenway Health Center, 10th floor auditorium at 1340 Boylston Street, the Boston Redevelopment Authority will be hosting a public meeting regarding a proposal for the McDonald's lot at 1282 Boylston Street. Come have a say in your community! Read more about the proposal