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Why You Should Invest in Boston ‘Green’ Buildings.

Friday, December 11th, 2009

macallencondominiums

As a real estate agent and a LEED Accredited Professional people often ask me “Why should I invest in a ‘Green’ Building?” Aside from the growing trend to go green there are many other reasons to invest in a LEED certified building. In order to achieve Water efficiency LEED credits builders install low-flow showers, toilets and sinks. They also use native plants in landscaping reducing the use of potable water in irrigation. As a condo owner much of the condo fees go to water usage. In the years to come you can expect your condo fees to remain lower than other non-green buildings.

The same principle of reduction applies to all of the energy usage of the building. This goes beyond energy efficient light bulbs. All of the heating, venting, air conditioning, and mechanical equipment are state of the art and designed to reduce energy use, noise and pollution.

The best way to reduce the energy from mechanical equipment is to reduce the need for mechanical ventilation. Green buildings are meticulously designed to allow natural light and natural ventilation, further reducing energy costs. These are things that cannot be put on a listing sheet it simply must be experienced. Special attention is paid to air quality in a LEED building. Everything from paint, to carpet, to the construction process has to meet the most stringent standards. With asthysma on the rise and stories of mold in new construction one cannot put a price on the piece of mind and security from a LEED Certification.

In the end the LEED certification process builds green buildings but also much higher quality product. The cost of construction for Green Buildings is much higher but in the end the cost of ownership will be much less.

In Boston we are fortunate to have two LEED Certified Buildings. The Clarendon and The Macallen Building. If you have any questions about LEED Certification or green buildings or if you are interested in buying Real Estate please don’t hesitate to contact me.

William Carr /Real Estate Agent/LEED Certified Specialist

o. 617-236-5005

c. 781-859-9805

e. williamc@rikemanre.com

www.bostonerealty.com

Tags: Boston green buildings, Boston green condos, Boston LEED Certified, Clarendon Condos Boston, Macallen building boston, Macallen condos boston, The Clarendon Back Bay
Posted in Back Bay, Back Bay Luxury Condos, Back Bay Rentals, Boston Home Sales, Boston Lifestyle, Condominums Boston, FP3 Boston, Green Building, Green Condo, Green Living, Green Residences, LEED, LEED Condo, Luxury Apartments, Luxury Boston, Luxury Condominiums, New Home Building, Rikeman Real Estate Company, Seaport District, South End, The Clarendon, The Clarendon Residences, Waterfront | No Comments »

The Clarendon, Back Bay’s Newest Green Luxury Tower

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009

Aerial View, The Clarendon, One Back Bay

Robert A.M. Stern became famous for his signature modern-traditionalist style. Stern was a pioneer in the post-modern movement. An architectural style and attitude which brought the warmth and charm of traditional architecture to modern construction technology.

Stern was the perfect choice to design Back Bay’s first luxury residential tower. The Clarendon sits on a previously underdeveloped parking lot diagonally across from The Prudential Tower. Stern uses the massing of the building and uses Back Bay’s traditional brick to stitch together the neighborhood. The magnitude of this 32-story tower is mitigated by Stern’s careful attention to scale, proportion and material. The massing of the building was also studied to help alleviate the wind tunnel effect from the neighboring Prudential. The ground floor houses a popular bar and a post office which helps to extend the neighborhood and nightlife of Back Bay.

The Clarendon is also one of very few ‘green’ residential towers in the nation. Deciding to go green can add significantly to the construction cost but the trade-off is a safer, better quality, longer lasting and more comfortable building. Building a green building means not only using recycled materials and using energy efficient appliances but also following stricter health and air-quality standards.

The building has both condominiums and rentals units available at One Back Bay. They are appointed finest finishes and appliances and boast luxurious amenities. There are many different floor plans to fit a variety of lifestyles. The location and height of the building grant it some of the best views of Boston and provide ample natural light. A world famous architect, prime location and green construction insure The Clarendon will remain one of Boston’s most desired addresses for decades to come.

If you are interested in any unit for sale or lease please contact William Carr or Herb Rikeman buyer’s agents Direct- 617-236-5005 Cell-781-859-9805 Toll Free 877-580-5005 williamc@rikemanre.com contact@rikemanre.com www.bostonerealty.com www.luxreblog.com

Tags: Back Bay luxury condominiums, Clarendon Condos Boston, Clarendon Penthouse, Luxury Boston, One Back Bay Apartments, One Back Bay Penthouse, One Back Bay Rentals, The Clarendon, The Clarendon Back Bay, The Clarendon Boston
Posted in Back Bay, Back Bay Luxury Condos, Back Bay Rentals, Boston Lifestyle, Boston New Developments, Boston Rental Market, Building Exposure, Clarendon Condos, Condominums Boston, Luxury Apartments, Luxury Boston, One Back Bay Apartments, The Clarendon, The Clarendon Residences | No Comments »

Renter’s Market in Boston

Wednesday, November 4th, 2009

zakim11

Now is the time to rent in Boston. With so many brand new building developments such as 1330 Boylston Harborview Charlestown; and Trilogy, recently completed there is a greater supply of luxury apartments than demand for them. As a result, many buildings are offering very attractive incentives to renters.

Archstone Avenir is offering two months free on a 13 months lease. This adds up to some big savings. For example, a 1 bedroom which typically rents for $2,500 per month would now rent for $2,115. A savings of $5,000 over the term of a 13 month lease. Archstone is also paying the full broker’s fee, which is an additional month’s rent. Essentially, you are getting 3 months rent for free.

Archstone Avenir is offering renters some of the most aggressive incentives but many other properties are following their lead. Buildings, all over Boston, which historically had few available apartments are now offering one or two months free, reduced parking rates and waiving amenities fees.

For the most up to date incentives on all of the luxury buildings in Boston please give me a call or email me Bill Carr 781-859-9805 williamc@rikemanre.com

Tags: Add new tag, boston luxury apartments, Luxury Apartments Boston, Luxury Boston, luxury buildings boston
Posted in Back Bay, Back Bay Luxury Condos, Back Bay Rentals, Boston Home Sales, Boston Lifestyle, Boston Lofts, FP3 Boston, Harborview Apartments, Herb Rikeman, Luxury Apartments, Luxury Boston, Luxury Condominiums, Real Estate News, Rikeman Real Estate Company, South End | No Comments »

Boston Landlords Take Notice

Tuesday, August 18th, 2009

Property owners and investors with rental units need to understand that we are seeing a huge decline in renters this year. If they do not reduce prices and pay broker fees apartments will be sitting vacant for the next 3- 6 months. I hope this artice from the Boston Hearald will wake them up to reality. Please read this artice to see the latest numbers on rentals in Boston Back Bay area. “Herb Rikeman”

Experts say Boston is facing its worst apartment glut in years just when its key May-to-August apartment-hunting season should be peaking. Rental units are historically hard to find in August as incoming students move in, while recent graduates land their first post-college apartments.Put things are different this year.

Boston had 1,044 rentals listed on the MLS Property Information Network as of yesterday - nearly twice the 535 listed at the same time last year.

Vacancies are particularly soaring in areas popular with college students and young professionals. For instance, MLS currently lists 142 Back Bay rentals, vs. just 49 units available a year earlier.

Experts add that the glut is even worse than those figures indicate, as not all landlords list their apartments on MLS.

“The recession is finally starting to impact Boston landlords,” said Beacon Hill real estate broker John Ford.

Ford and others partly attribute the glut to increased dorm space at Hub colleges, coupled with a slew of condos put up for rent because the units are unsellable in the current market. But mostly, experts blame today’s crummy economy.

“Our largest rental group - 18- to 24-year-olds - all appear to be living with the same roommates this year: mom and dad,” Ford said. “Either young people can’t find a (post-college) job that lets them move out of the house, or they’re still in school but living at home because their parents can’t afford apartments or dorm rooms.”

Broker Matt Bless had 511 Allston, Brighton and Brookline listings available for Sept. 1 occupancy this year, up from 346 a year ago.

“It’s taken awhile, but I think the effects of job losses and fewer new hires has begun to filter down to the level of rental applications,” he said.

Bless said landlords haven’t had to slash prices so far, although some have trimmed rents by $100 or so per month.

But West Roxbury broker Kevin Monahan said there’s a big disconnect between what landlords want to charge and tenants want to pay.

Monahan has three clients looking to rent places for $800 to $1,000 a month, but can’t find them anything for less than $1,200.

“Homeowners see the news every day that the real estate market has crashed,” Monahan said. “Landlords haven’t seemed to grasp that fact yet.”

Boston Hearald Reporting

Tags: boston apartments
Posted in Back Bay, Back Bay Rentals, Boston Rental Market, Cambridge Luxury Rentals, Herb Rikeman, Real Estate News | No Comments »

One Back Bay - Now available to rent!

Monday, July 20th, 2009

the_clarendon ONE BACK BAY

One Back Bay, located in the heart of Boston’s Back Bay at 135 Clarendon, has now begun accepting applications for it’s luxurious apartments. The Clarendon is offering 170 rental units, ranging in size from studios to 2 bedroom/2 bathroom units. One Back Bay is offering a restaurant, fitness center, clubroom, culture lounge, conference room, and a gourmet market. Units are also available for sale immediately.

Just two blocks from Newbury Street, and two blocks from Shawmut Avenue, One Back Bay is Boston’s most exciting and exquisite new luxury rental. Featuring an address of incomparable convenience, One Back Bay puts the best of Boston at your doorstep – restaurants, shopping, museums, galleries, cafes, parks – even the Back Bay train station! From dining in the South End to biking along the Charles River, from home games at Fenway to strolling in the Public Garden, The Clarendon is at the intersection of everything that makes Boston great.

The impeccable taste of Robert A.M. Stern’s design team can be seen in a level of finish ordinarily reserved for only the most expensive private residences. Every detail and appointment at The Clarendon–from the custom oak floors in living areas to the Botticino Marble in the baths–has been selected to meet the highest standards.