Brookside Artist Community live/work space

Open House November 1st, 1-2p

This town-home is part of a lively, vibrant community of professional artists. Your new neighbors include painters and sculptors, dancers and choreographers, a harpist, and a well-known concert pianist.

The building began it’s life in 1850 as a factory, turning out rubber heels for shoes. As industry left the area, the artists began moving in. Groups like the Boston Photo Collaborative worked here for years and this unit was home to the Boston indie band Morphine.

Converted turn of the century factory

Several years ago, the artists living here learned the owner of the building was planning on selling it for conversion to luxury condos. Fearful of losing their beloved homes the artists banded together to buy it for themselves.

It took a ton of organizing, several government grants, and the collaboration of the Mayor’s Office and the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) but the artists were able to raise millions of dollars to purchase and renovate the building.

All 24 units were completely gut renovated and rebuilt to the highest safety and construction standards. The units were officially designated “live/work” so the artists could practice their crafts here. Many were purpose-built to meet individual needs – the tall unit on the end, for example, houses a rope-climbing artist!

1st floor flexible use studio space

This unit is especially well-suited for running a creative business, since the first floor is separated from the more private living quarters.

The developer was the highly respected firm of Peter Roth.They designed a building that was respectful of the history of the place, but had all the modern amenities like energy efficient windows and state of the art Rinnai point of use heaters.

This unit received special care as it was considered the best of the building. The brick walls were parged down several feet and carefully rebuilt to hold the weight of the new top addition. The walls were made with steel studs. The first floor was dug out and concrete re-poured to a depth of two feet.

Master bedroom with large closet

The contractors prided themselves on the solid construction – as one declared, “This will last another 150 years!”

The complex is a mixture of market rate units and a special kind of affordable housing restricted only to artists. The market rate units, like this one, have no financial re-sale restrictions. The affordable units may only be sold to artists who qualify through the BRA’s rigorous artist certification program and have adequate financial resources. Most hold down professional jobs, like teaching, in addition to their art work.

Flexible living, kitchen and dining area

Since the artists worked so hard to obtain their units, they are passionately committed to maintaining the property. The building is self-managed, so condo fees are very low. Occasionally the neighbors volunteer to rake leaves, trim bushes, clean gutters, etc. Each “work day” ends with a roving cocktail party and cookout on the board walk!

Suck it up buddy. You ain’t seen nothin’. I was trying to do some real research the other day, and as usual got distracted. A couple hours later I ended up with some interesting fodder for this post. I’m always fascinated with fortress-like homes. My wife will be the first to call me a complete wacko, but aside from the owner’s serious lack of design sense, this place is awesome!

Home sweet home.

This home was featured on HGTV in June 29th and the owner’s website self-describes it as The Most Unique Real Estate In The World!

You get your own airport too!

Here’s what they have to say – click the image above for the website…

Living room

Efficiency to say the least.

Bedroom

Bathroom vanity

Nice spiral staircase.

Are you starting to get a funny feeling yet? Haven’t noticed any corners? Hayday with a vacuum?

Grain silo house here I come!

Listen, I’m all for it. I get bored of all the same old real estate. I say, throw em’ a curve. Pun intended.

Amazing artist live/work townhouse

Check out our website for more information, virtual tour and images.

This town-home is part of a lively, vibrant community of professional artists. Your new neighbors include painters and sculptors, dancers and choreographers, a harpist, a comedian, and a well-known concert pianist.

The building began it’s life in 1850 as a factory, turning out rubber heels for shoes. As industry left the area, the artists began moving in. Groups like the Boston Photo Collaborative worked here for years and this unit was home to the Boston indie band Morphine.

Several years ago, the artists living here learned the owner of the building was planning on selling it for conversion to luxury condos. Fearful of losing their beloved homes the artists banded together to buy it for themselves.

It took a ton of organizing, several government grants, and the collaboration of the Mayor’s Office and the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) but the artists were able to raise millions of dollars to purchase and renovate the building.

All 24 units were completely gut renovated and rebuilt to the highest safety and construction standards. The units were officially designated “live/work” so the artists could practice their crafts here.  Many were purpose-built to meet individual needs – the tall unit on the end, for example, houses a rope-climbing artist!

This unit is especially well-suited for running a creative business, since the first floor is separated from the more private living quarters.

The developer was the highly respected firm of Peter Roth.They designed a building that was respectful of the history of the place, but had all the modern amenities like energy efficient windows and state of the art Rinnai point of use heaters.

This unit received special care as it was considered the best of the building. The brick walls were parged down several feet and carefully rebuilt to hold the weight of the new top addition. The walls were made with steel studs. The first floor was dug out and concrete re-poured to a depth of two feet.

The contractors prided themselves on the solid construction -  as one declared,  “This will last another 150 years!”

The complex is a mixture of market rate units and a special kind of affordable housing restricted only to artists. The market rate units, like this one, have no financial re-sale restrictions. The affordable units may only be sold to artists who qualify through the BRA’s rigorous artist certification program and have adequate financial resources. Most hold down professional jobs, like teaching,  in addition to their art work.

Since the artists worked so hard to obtain their units, they are passionately committed to maintaining the property. The building is self-managed, so condo fees are very low. Occasionally the neighbors volunteer to rake leaves, trim bushes, clean gutters, etc. Each “work day” ends with a roving cocktail party and cookout on the board walk!

Completely renovated Victorian

Meticulously renovated Victorian on a sheltered street, convenient to shopping and public transportation. This home stands proudly toward the front of the professionally landscaped grounds which it shares with a large, charismatic carriage house.

The owners have done a wonderful job of restoring this magnificent home. There are six marble fireplaces throughout and the original plaster crown moldings and ceiling medallions have been restored. However, subtle touches and upgrades throughout ensure that the home is not just a period piece but comfortable and luxurious as well.

The exterior of the both the main house and the carriage house were painted in 2004 in a playful modern version of an old Victorian theme. The interior has a fresh, sophisticated palette as well. A brick patio, stockade fences and beautiful plantings have all been updated over the last decade and create a warm and inviting place to entertain.

Check out our website for virtual tours, open house times, etc.

My very good friend Mike Randall share many common interests including a general mis-trust of the government, an entrepreneurial streak and last but not least a strong wanderlust.

We’ve had scores of conversations over the years about expatriation and how to pull it off. Of late, I’m more inclined to stay in America and explore some of the very rural, off the beaten path areas of our country like Taos, NM, parts of Oregon, Montana, etc. However, Mike just sent me a link to a community in Costa Rica that is insane. One of the founders came up with the hair-brained idea to build a treehouses with zip lines connecting them. It reminded me instantly of something in Disneyland or the like. The pragmatist in me would have said, “you’re out of your mind ” if someone had suggested it to me. I would have been wrong. The good folks at Finca Bellavista have followed their dream and are now the envy of us all. My kid would explode in rapture at the idea of riding a zip line over to her friends house. Or school. Or wherever.  The original plan only had 65 acres but later blossomed into a 350 acre village. They have a community bath house, pedestrian skyways, and more creature comforts than I expected.

“Residents are now able to stay connected with the outside world at Finca Bellavista! On January 5, 2008 we had our high-speed direct link satellite dish installed, which is powered 100% by solar-generated electricity. The signal is great and the service is the fastest we’ve experienced in all of Costa Rica! The entire base area at Finca Bellavista can access the Wi-Fi signal. That means residents can work remotely or chat with far-away friends and family from a riverside hammock or anywhere else at the base area of the community. What a great way to stay in touch while getting away from it all!”

Okay, I’m listening…but I’m still skeptical, right? The crazy thing is that the development is selling out. They offer 2-4 acre parcels and they seem to have some good planning and the foresight to put some parkland and community spaces in there so it doesn’t feel like a tropical trailer park. The amount of spaces that have been purchased and the number of units built seems hard to believe. I haven’t gotten to read enough of the website to see if they have construction costs yet, but they can’t be cheap. The workers must certainly be highly skilled. I anticipated very rudimentary dwellings that looked as if they would fall in a good wind – but these things look pretty good and they look to be getting some good engineering ideas up their sleeves from some of the drawings they have on the site. Have a look around their website for yourself.

Concept drawings for treehouse at Finca Bellavista

I just happened upon Andree and Ken’s weblog on Neighbor’s For Neighbors community organizing website (I guess it’s working). I’m excited about the prospect of watching them renovate their very old home with an eye to giving it a zero carbon footprint.

Jack's Store is now JP Green House

I signed up for their newsletters and I think you should too. Here’s a snippet from their project page:

The JP Green House is a zero carbon* demonstration project, sustainable urban model and hub for 350.org climate action founded by Andrée Zaleska and Ken Ward. We are rehabbing an abandoned, 100 year old, former neighborhood store located on the line between Jamaica Plain and Roslindale in Boston, Massachusetts. Our aim is to achieve passivhaus standards, win substantial independence from grid supplies of water and electricity, and supply a large portion of our food on a modest income. We are retrofitting the former “Jack’s store” as space for workshops and trainings, neighborhood events and gatherings like our JP Family SongFest.

The JP Green House is located at 133 Bourne Street, Roslindale. We welcome visitors & volunteers and have a schedule of activities and events. You can contact us at:

greenhousejp[at[gmail.com 617.512.8350

Today I had the great pleasure of touring 10 Revere Street on Sumner Hill. Methinks this is one of the finest pieces of architecture in Jamaica Plain let alone maybe the best location. Upon climbing up the steps and crossing the enormous porch you enter a massive door the likes of which can’t be found these days.

10 Revere Street Queen Anne

The foyer is easily my favorite location in the house, which I guess makes sense as one would consider that their first impression. A substantial archway frames the room punctuated by a handsome staircase and fireplace. I currently live in a modest little condo and can only imagine the feeling of satisfaction one gets when entering this magnificent home only to be greeted by a crackling hearth.

There is a formal living room in the front  and a dining room in the rear. Giant windows provide ‘king-of-the-hill’ views over the rest of Sumner Hill and JP. Each windows frames out another perfect view. One particular view from the dining room looks into an outdoor sitting area with beautiful rock work and one of the turrets of Saint John’s Episcopal Church. This is the type of setting only found in Europe or the like.

Inviting foyer, stairs and hearth

The Jamaica Plain Historical Society describes the locale:

The Queen Anne-style is particularly well represented on Sumner Hill, and the area hosts some of the most architecturally sophisticated examples of the style. Large, well-detailed houses constructed in the mid-1880s, exhibiting complex plans, asymmetrical fenestration, elaborate porches, contrasting surface textures, and multiple chimneys, stand at 6, 8, 22 Everett Street, 11 Revere Street, and 11 Roanoke Avenue. 10 Revere Street, an exceptional example of the style designed by the well-known Boston firm of Ware and Van Brunt, is also responsible for Memorial Hall and the Episcopal Divinity School at Harvard University. This handsome house has an unusual roofline, vertical and horizontal boarding, turned porch posts, and a lively mix of shingles and clapboards. Other good examples of the style are located at 9 and 14 Newbern Street.

Obviously the mortgage on this little diddy is no chump change, but the pain is eased a bit by the two in-law or au pair units contained within the plan. The lower level has a quaint 1 bedroom apartment with a surprising amount of natural light. The third floor and cupola contain what is probably the most unique 2 bedroom apartment in Jamaica Plain. The spaces ooze history and charm. Imagine climbing the spiral staircase to the cupola room and climbing into bed with a skylight window and a view of the Boston skyline.

John Maxfield of Prudential Unlimited Realty will be having an open house there this Sunday from 1p-3p. Owner will entertain offers within PVRM 55: $1,195,000 to $1,394,876. Offers will be responded to April 15, 2009. Owner reserves the right to accept an offer above the range at any time.

First floor

Second floor

Third floor

Lower level

This week I had the pleasure of working with a fantastic couple named Jenny & Richard. They were previously working mainly with my wife Christine but as she is away in Hong Kong, I was championing their cause. Jenny spotted this “For Sale By Owner” or FSBO on Craigslist and gave me a call. We were in to have a look at it on Saturday with many other prospective buyers. This transaction reminded me of how important the relationship with a buyer’s agent can be. This was a true team effort. The client, Jenny, actually spotted the property first, but because of my resources I was quickly able to research and value the property so we were ready to go as soon as we had seen the property. We crafted a solid, well-written offer and wham-o! For more info on how Buyer’s Agency works check out the FAQ on our website.

One of the sellers came from a family chocked full of Realtors so I’m surprised they tried to go it on their own, but in this case it appears to have worked out. There were three offers that we beat out to get under contract. I think in this case the house really speaks for itself. I get the opportunity to see a great deal of real estate as you can imagine. Most property that I walk into doesn’t do all that much for me. You get a little numb to it all I guess. I always want to redesign or start knocking walls down or the like.

Not here. This condo is very charming and the location doesn’t get any better. It’s literally 1 block from Centre Street.

Being a bit of a history buff, the architecture seems to have remained very much intact. It appears that the home looks very much like it did when it was built. Even the old slate roof is still in pretty good condition.

There is a spacious foyer with original staircase and knule posts that climbs to the second floor where you are greeted by a pleasant glass door to the living space. Despite being right in the middle of it – it feels fairly private and comfy. The current owners took the previous renovation a step further and renovated the bathrooms. Big improvement. This is not a huge unit, but at 1400 square feet or so it feels “just right” as Goldilocks put it.

I think the plan and the design is outstanding and I would have a very hard time picking my favorite room, but I’m partial to the kitchen/sun porch looking out over Warren Square. Congratulations to Jenny & Richard for finding such a spectacular new home! May you live many happy years here.

Kitchen and window to sunporch

More details at www.TheBostonHomeTeam.com

Open House Sunday 23rd, 12p-2p

Large upstairs bedroom

A perfect mélange of Modernist sensibility and New England Colonial. From the outside this home is an unassuming Colonial set well back from the street. This home has an incredibly flexible plan. Good design allows for a three bedrooms and three full baths with kitchen and dining rooms, living room and family room. However, some may trade the family room for an opulent master suite with direct access to a private brick patio.

Wide open plan and glorious kitchen

Just off the entry foyer you are greeted by an inviting and highly functional kitchen and dining area. No expense has been spared. Recessed lights run the length of the room all set on dimmers for mood. Beautiful glass mosaic tiles accentuate the honed granite counter. The entire kitchen was designed and installed in 2004 including Dacor range, oven and microwave, Amana Fridge, Bosch dishwasher and Kohler sink and professional grade faucetry. The custom finished cabinets are one of a kind and add a friendly playfulness to the room.

A short flight of stairs up from the kitchen lead to a loft-like living area where your family can gather around the gorgeous fireplace with glass tiled surround. A short flight downstairs from the kitchen leads to a modern family room with bamboo flooring and sunshine pouring in from the glass doors leading out to the private brick patio. There is a full bath with exquisite marble and glass tiling, heated towel rack and an enormous glass enclosed shower. There is also a small laundry room with Bosch washer and dryer.

Designer bath - zen perfection

The upstairs bedrooms look out over the landscaped grounds and patio areas. There are three bedrooms upstairs and two more full baths in the original part of the home. Both bold, sophisticated baths are finished in stunning slate, marble and glass tile, Samuel Heath, Villeroy & Boch, Duravit and Hoesch.

There is 2 car parking off street, a new garden shed and a full basement for all storage needs. Located advantageously steps from two different T stations, Doyles & The Midway Café, The Emerald Necklace Park System and one of JP’s newest tot lots.

Charming Colonial Facade

Okay, I know, it’s kind of cheating to make the “Home Of The Week” a property that I, in fact, am representing. Seriously look at this property and tell me I’m wrong! This home is perfect. The owners, Alison and Andy (isn’t that cute) are two Brits with great taste. They bought this home as a fairly standard Garrison Colonial and transformed it. Over a period of about 3-4 years they poured their hearts and souls into impeccable design and space planning. They added an 18′x19′ addition that spans three levels if you include the basement. They never have gotten around to finishing off the basement space yet, but it would make a wonderful media room or studio. All three levels keep their continuity via an attractive modern spiral staircase. They didn’t skimp either, normally this 230lb, 6’2″ Realtor isn’t fond of spirals, but this one gives me no trouble at all.

Double shower/steam room

The original part of the house had a very good layout and would have been considered quite adequet by most. However, the new addition adds spacious flexibility, allowing for formal and casual areas of the home. (Or just lost of casual space.) The kitchen is the heart of this home, located dead-center on the 1st floor. All rooms radiate out from it making a great space for entertaining. By climbing the front stairs you access a spacious landing, a full bath and all the bedrooms. One could use this home as a four bedroom, but greedy me – I’d make it a three bedroom with a monster master bedroom suite. Wait until you see the master bath! It has a double shower/steam room, air jetted tub, double sinks, skylights, exquisite tile, etc. I could go on and on. Incidentlely, this is probably a good time to mention that all of the light fixtures are from either Wolfers (my favorite!) or Restoration Hardware. Configured this way there’s a really nice sitting room between the master bed and bath. Personaly, I’d put a little flat screen in there, hide a mini-bar somewhere, and lock the doors. I’m not going to go on and on about this house. You can check out the virtual tour here or better yet, call or write me for an appointment. You will find a complete list of improvements dating back to 2005 in PDF format on my website.

Write in and guess the sale price! I’ll post it up when it closes.