Archive for the ‘Boston Lifestyle’ Category
Thursday, December 17th, 2009
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The new Post 390 Restaurant Located at The Clarendon building on the site of the former Back Bay Post Office Annex, will be a new hot spot for South End and Back Bayers alike. Nestled on the the corner of Stuart and Clarendon Street it has the comfortable feel of a ski lodge in Aspen Colorado. There is a large gas fireplace, huge open wine cellar and open kitchen to admire. The bar is hopping with12 Beers on tap and over 200 wine selections. The food is American classics with a twist like the the beer and bacon macaroni mmm good. I look forward to spending as much time here during the cold winter ahead. As always i will continue to post on Boston’s new hotspots. Dont for get to check us out on our websites. www.bostonerealty.com and www.luxreblog.com
Tags: Back Bay Restaurants, Clarendon boston, One Back Bay Apartments, Post 390 Back Bay, Post 390 Boston, The Clarendon, The Clarendon Back Bay
Posted in Boston Lifestyle, Boston New Developments, Green Living, One Back Bay Apartments, The Clarendon | No Comments »
Friday, December 11th, 2009

As a real estate agent and a LEED Accredited Professional people often ask me “Why should I invest in a ‘Green’ Building?” Â 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. Â They also use native plants in landscaping reducing the use of potable water in irrigation. Â As a condo owner much of the condo fees go to water usage. Â 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. Â This goes beyond energy efficient light bulbs. Â 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. Â Green buildings are meticulously designed to allow natural light and natural ventilation, further reducing energy costs. Â Â 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. Â Everything from paint, to carpet, to the construction process has to meet the most stringent standards. Â 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. Â 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. Â 617-236-5005
c. Â 781-859-9805
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 »
Tuesday, December 1st, 2009

Robert A.M. Stern became famous for his signature modern-traditionalist style. Â Stern was a pioneer in the post-modern movement. Â 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. Â There are many different floor plans to fit a variety of lifestyles. Â 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 »
Thursday, November 12th, 2009

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The Good news for first time home buyers is tax credit extended for sure. Congressman Maurice Hinchey helped secure legislation that will extend the $8,000 federal tax credit for first time home-buyers, and create a new $6,500 tax credit for people who have bought a home in the last five years. Hinchey says it was important to extend this legislation through April 30th of 2010, because it’s been a successful law so far.”It provides opportunities for people to buy homes who wouldn’t have the opportunity, because the $8,000 provides them with the incentive they need, and the additional financial help they need to actually buy that house,” said Rep. Maurice Hinchey, (D) 22nd District. Hinchey says he doesn’t know if there will be another extension, because it all depends on the program’s success.
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We checked in with our lending specialist Jason Deeb at MSA Mortgage and here is what he sent us to help understand the process. Jason Deeb says with the recent extension of the First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit, after consulting with many MSA clients who purchased a home for the first time and had difficulty visualizing the process. Many of our clients have found our flow chart extremely helpful so I wanted to pass it along to you to forward to your clients. Please let me know if I can send it to you or if you have any questions. Contact Jason Deeb Senior Loan Officer Direct: 781.486.7143 Cell: 917.721.2111 Fax: 781.245.7373 Email: jdeeb@msamortgage.com
Tags: Boston first time buyers, Boston first time condo buyers, Buyer Credit
Posted in Back Bay Luxury Condos, Boston Home Sales, Boston Lifestyle, Boston Mortgage News, Boston New Developments, Building Exposure, Luxury Condominiums, Real Estate News, Rikeman Real Estate Company | No Comments »
Wednesday, November 4th, 2009

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. Â This adds up to some big savings. Â For example, a 1 bedroom which typically rents for $2,500 per month would now rent for $2,115. Â A savings of $5,000 over the term of a 13 month lease. Â Archstone is also paying the full broker’s fee, which is an additional month’s rent. Â 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. Â 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 »
Friday, October 9th, 2009

Get Ready the W Hotel will open its doors to guests in just a few short weeks. I think its and iconic brand and will be very sucessfull. I am hoping to book a room for the holidays just to check it out. It is so close to all the nightlife in the Theater District including shows at the Wang Center. Im sure the trendy lobby bar will be a future hot spot as well. Also the W Residences come online soon. If you are at all interested in the condos for sale at the W Residences  I can send you floor plans and marketing package if you need. Do not hestitate to call me Herb Rikeman 617-930-4800 or Toll Free 877-580-5005 or contact@rikemanre.com www.bostonerealty.com
Tags: The W Boston, W Boston, W Hotel Boston, W Residences Boston
Posted in Boston Lifestyle, Boston New Developments, Luxury Boston, Luxury Condominiums, W Hotel, W Residences Boston | No Comments »
Tuesday, September 29th, 2009
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If you haven’t noticed the Seaport District is on its way up. I am willing to bet in 5 years its one of the hottest areas of Boston. As the Fan Pier Devlopments start to rise in the skyline along with the iconic Contemporary Arts Boston and the massive convention center. You can see this will be a booming area.The fort Point Channel has been attracting celebs like Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz to some of the new hot spots like Barbara Lynch’s a South Boston native new bar Drink and Cafe Sportello. Also the $500 million Atlantic Wharf is on its way to completion. South Boston also continues to buzz with cool new Condos like FP3 Boston with condos starting at $300K. I will continue to watch and report on this emerging market.
If you are interested in FP3 or Seaport District condos please contact Herb Rikeman 617-930-4800 at contact@rikemanre.com or www.bostonerealty.com for more info prices and floor plans.
Tags: condominiums boston, Fan Pier, Fort Point Channel, FP3 Boston, Seaport District, South Boston
Posted in Boston Lifestyle, Boston New Developments, Condominums Boston, FP3 Boston, Fan Pier, Seaport District | No Comments »