Reside Boston News Blog

Luxury lofts 2011 Report South End Boston

South End’s Washington St. is now called by many local foodies “the new restaurant row.” Indeed, with restaurants such as Union, Stella, Toro, and Myers & Chang’s run by renowned chefs and getting rave reviews, people are drawn outside of Newbury St. and Tremont St. to seek adventures for taste buds. Harrison Ave., where the hot SoWa Open Market takes place and home to dozens of art studios, galleries and trendy furniture stores, is just one block away. Also on Washington St. is the dog-friendly Peter’s Park, which offers beautiful city gardens, playgrounds, and sports fields. With its T accessibility and close proximity to elsewhere in town (neighboring Back Bay, Financial District and close to 93 Expressway and Mass. Pike exits), it’s no wonder it is gaining attention from renters, home buyers and investors alike. Developers have long before realized the potential of this neighborhood and built some fine residential developments in recent years.

In 2000, Laconia Lofts (located at 1200 Washington St.) welcomed new residents to its unique loft homes. More luxury loft condominiums were built a few years later including Wilkes Passage at 1313 Washington St., Gateway Terrace at 1166 Washington St., and Penny Place at the old Penny Savings Bank on the corner of Washington St. and Union Park. These modern homes are simply upscale urban loft living at its finest. Sleek designs feature high ceilings, oversized windows, open, bright living space, concrete or hardwood floors, and are finished with high-end touches including gourmet kitchens and tastefully done bathrooms. These buildings also have concierge service, 24-hour security and underground parking.

For more information on these loft-style condos and current sales and rental listings in the South End please contact us. We can help.

Luxury Agents: Sharon Chen & Herb Rikeman

Email: sharonc@resideboston.com or contact@resideboston.com

Cell: 617-448-8382 or 617-236-5005 

The Belvedere Condomimiums One bedroom located on the 4th Floor facing the reflecting pool. Unit features kitchen with gas cooking granite counter tops, Sub Zero, hardwood floors, A/C and washer dryer in unit. Beautiful city veiws of the Prudential Center. Building has Resident Library and Dining Room. Exceptional 24/7 Concierge and Security. Common Roof Terrace and One Garage Parking Space. Sorry No Pets No Smokers.

Asking: $3800.00

Available: Now

1 Garage parking space included

Term: 12months

Contact Listing Agent: Herb Rikeman contact@resideboston.com  www.resideboston.com

617-930-4800 direct tel.  

Kendall Square, home to MIT, has long been known as the center of biotechnology and computers.  There are more Nobel Prize winners living per square foot than any other area of the world.  Kendall Square is the home to companies such as Genzyme, Microsoft and Google as well as many start-ups.

Centrally located between Harvard square and Beacon Hill Kendall Square is 5 minutes away from the best museums, restaurants, and nightlife Boston and Cambridge have to offer.

Seeing potential in Kendall Square’s location and industry developers, with the city’s encouragement, have began to build more residential projects in the area.  Two notable projects I recently visited are Third Square and The Watermark.  Both are brand new modern buildings offering luxurious finishes and amenities.  Both feature a fitness center, 24 hour concierge and lounge but  they come in very different packages.

The Watermark is a LEED Certified Green building.  All the appliances are Energy Efficient.  The paints and finishes used in the building emit dramatically fewer VOC’S (volatile organic compounds) than traditional finishes.  The carpets are free from formaldehyde, a substance used to make most carpets stain resistant.  These factors make for superior indoor air quality.  The tower boasts amazing views of Boston’s skyline and the Charles River.  From the sunny apartments one can see the sailboats and the esplanade.  At night the buildings light up the skyline.

Third Square is designed in a courtyard formation.  Two fitness centers and an indoor lap-pool overlook the sunny, beautifully landscaped courtyard.  The building’s low-rise massing, and mixed-use of retail and residential create a really strong  community.  In the summer the residents enjoy barbecuing in the shade.  The courtyard provides a little oasis from Kendall’s urban atmosphere.

If you are interested in taking a tour of these buildings or other full service listings please call or email me today.

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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.

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

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

The Intercontinental Residences on the waterfront has almost sold all of its 130 condomimiums. Only 9 left for sale. The 5 star residential services and the amazing Boston Harbour and Outer Island views has attracted people to this luxury building on the waterfront. Concierge, Spa Fitness Center and Pool, Restaurant & Lounges are top notch. Located right on the Rose Kennedy Greenway Park. I recently toured the remaining units. The 4 Bed 21K unit  with roof terrace Penthouse has the most amazing waterfront views I have ever seen. Breathtaking Boston Harbour Views. Still available: 

 One Bedrooms From $895K

Two Bedrooms From $1,150,000 Mil

Three bedrooms From $ 2,595,000 Mil (one left)

Four Bedrooms From $5,950,000 Mil

3 Furnished models also available.

If you are interested in any of the remaining units for sale please contact Herb Rikeman buyers agent Direct- 617-930-4800 Toll Free 877-580-5005 contact@rikemanre.com www.bostonerealty.com www.luxreblog.com

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