Archive for the 'Fenway Condos' 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.

Why do they call these the dog days of summer I wonder? Could it have anything to do with consuming hot dogs perhaps? 

I read somewhere or maybe heard it on a radio talk show Howie Carr or NPR or somewhere that in 2009, consumers spent more than $1.6 billion that's BILLION with a B on hot dogs and sausages in U.S. supermarkets. Gosh if you think about it that's alot of dogs! Or could it be they call it dog days of summer simply because someone once noticed a correlation between a hot day and their lazy dog just laying around in the shade doing nothing.  Just resting.  Could it be that simple I wonder? Interesting. 

Well it seems we sure are experiencing some pretty serious dog days so far this month!  100-105 degrees oh my! And I'll tell you it affects me. Not just the way the heat makes me feel slow but it affects work. While I can lay in the shade and rest any time I want in the type of work I do...that would be real estate sales.... unfortunately I can't do it for long.  As a REALTOR I'm pretty much self employed and often host open houses on Sunday's to meet prospective buyers (a small part of the marketing I do to reach out to prospective clients).  In the Real Estate world Sundays it seems is the traditional day to host open houses.  It sounds logical because most work from Monday to Friday however is it really practical? Does it make sense to host open houses on a weekend in the summer time? The dog days of summer time.

Hosting open houses hasn't been so much fun these past few weeks.  I assume if you're a sales agent or know one (and most of us know someone who is one) you know what I mean.  I really don't mind giving up a hot day at the beach or laying by my brother's pool to stand instead in a beautiful air conditioned home for a few hours.  Especially these days it's more important to me that I build my business and a future retirement.  God knows I've done enough bathing, lounging and BBQing to last a life time. As I said it's not so bad hosting an open house during these hot dog days. So I do it for myself and for others I work with at my company.  I stand there in the comfort of an air conditioned unit with iced coffee in one hand and listing sheet in the other.  Then someone enters!!!  And I've got to say how exciting it is when that sweaty, drained and tired home seeker happens to finally come through my door! Can you imagine how excited I am?.!?# I smile at them and offer a hand shake.  Some catch their breath while kindly shewing me away with a grin not interested in talking with me and others engage in a little kabitzing then off they go.  These days it seems there are fewer and fewer visitors.  Maybe I should consider offering lemonade or something thirst quenching...hmmm...

Seems many a Sunday has passed with only a few to none pay me a visit at my air conditioned listing.  Other than offering an iced beverage we're doing all the right things. Advertising. Marketing. Could they all be enjoying themselves at the beach on these dog days of summer? Or perhaps basking in the shade under a tree drinking their ice tea?  Yeah I'll bet they are hanging out being handed a beer and a grilled dog somewhere fun. 

Well we all work hard and deserve to enjoy dog days off especially on the weekend when all of our freinds are doing the same thing.  Enjoying themselves that is..  And who really wants to walk around 105 degree Boston touring open houses sweating bullets all over the place when they could be sprawled out with their face planted in a blanket on Carson Beach in Southie or sailing the Boston Harbor with friends or throwing a fishing line out to hook one of the many thousands of yummy striped bass swimming our waters right now!!

But isn't touring open houses important to some of you who recognize property values and interest rates are at the lowest they have ever been in a LONG time?  Touring open houses gives buyers AND sellers a better perspective of what a certain square footage can buy them in a particular neighborhood of interest.  It's an opportunity to investigate, talk to the agent and learn details they wouldn't if they just read about the unit.

So how about attending an open house on a weekday?  Perhaps after work when the sun is going down and it's more convenient for you?  Attending an open house on a week night for example promises not to interrupt your dog day summer afternoons especially the weekends!  And if you happen to spot a home that isn't open on a week night BUT wish to see it you can always call a qualified experienced AND helpful person like myself to set up a showing for you!  Happy Dog Days of Summer!

Vivian Zottola # 617-721-8025  617-721-8025 vzottola@bradvisors.com 

Boston Realty Advisors www.bradvisors.com

It’s April, the month when Boston gets back into high gear!

The month of April brings new energy to the Boston area, temperature changes, symbolic sporting events, spring blooms and more… Most importantly, an abundance of NEW apartment inventory!

Increased Apartment Inventory - the “rental season” in Boston has now begun. It is the best opportunity to be exposed to the maximum number of units, as approximately 90% of the city moves during the next few months. We currently have access to units available NOW through Sept 1st!!

Red Sox Opening Day – Baseball season has officially begun, our hometown Red Sox kicked off the season in a home opener against their all time rivals the New York Yankees! Boston took the win, Boston Red Sox: 9 - NY Yankees: 7 – we’re looking forward to get season!

Marathon Monday - The Boston Marathon, the world's oldest annual marathon will be held on Monday April 19th. Be prepared for delays!! Visit: http://www.bostonmarathon.org/default.asp for more information.

Spring Blooms – March Showers, bring April Flowers! Watch for the blossom trees, tulips and daffodils as they bloom creating picturesque sites throughout the Public Garden, along Commonwealth Avenue and the beautifully landscaped brownstone entries.

Street Cleaning - Street Cleaning is in full affect as of April 1st. If you brought your car with you to school and/or you commute in, be sure to look for the “street cleaning” signs. Otherwise, you may find your car with a parking ticket and/or worse, having to get your car out of the tow lot! Visit: http://www.cityofboston.gov/publicworks/sweeping/ for more information.


We have an abundance of NEW Boston apartments coming available; please feel free to contact one of our advisors if you’re looking to find your ideal apartment.


 

The Metro asked my thoughts on the retail and residential momentum in the Fenway area, here's the article:
 

A transformation has begun on the Fenway side of Boylston Street, and a proposed development that includes more residential and retail space at the old Howard Johnson Hotel site could make the area even more attractive to urban dwellers looking for a new spot in Boston to settle.

The proposal, which was submitted to the Boston Redevelopment Authority earlier this month, outlines the development of 1271 Boylston St., including 175,000 square feet of residential space, 170,000 square feet of hotel use and 4,000 square feet of retail space, according to a letter to the BRA from Weiner Ventures, the company planning the project. There would also be 280 underground parking spaces. Adam Weiner of Weiner Ventures could not be reached for comment on the project.

“When you have a ballpark of the home team actually in the city, as opposed to the suburbs, and you have as strong and die-hard a fan base as you can have with the Red Sox, the potential for a neighborhood to reinvent itself and build around the stadium is there,” says Paul Santucci, a real estate broker with Boston Lofts. “‘Great views of Fenway Park’ is a selling point and a viable marketing strategy here.” 
 

What else is new in the area?

The section of Boylston Street between Ipswich Street and Brookline Avenue has blossomed in recent years with the opening of Trilogy, a $225 million tower with more than 500 rental units and retail space, including West Elm, Starbucks and Burton’s Grill. A $125 million building at 1330 Boylston St. now housing Fenway Health Center, 215 apartments and additional retail space was also completed last year. And just around the corner is Landmark Center, with a movie theater, a health club and retail space. “We will see more residential momentum occur. There is a good amount of new construction, not just rehabbing of older buildings, so it gets a new, fresh look,” says Santucci.

 For More information about the residential real estate market near Fenway Park, contact me at paul@bostonlofts.com or 617-694-0004