I received a very interesting email yesterday regarding an affordable unit at Willowbank II on Jamaica Pond. This development began with some very interesting architecture accessed from Burroughs Street.

Willowbank Phase 1

Phase 1 consisted of 2-4 bed units all selling well over a million dollars. The developer, Chris DeSisto of Maplehurst Builders does outstanding work – unrivaled in this area.

The next phase has an affordable component consisting of a two bedroom and several much larger units. The Maplehurst website aptly states, “Nestled in the midst of Frederick Law Olmsted’s Emerald Necklace, Willowbank’s second phase will witness the restoration of a gracious, vintage brick mansion and the addition of a complimentary new construction two-unit building. Blending the charms of period detail with thoroughly modern, premium kitchens and bathrooms, the mansion will offer the choice of a commodious single-level 1st floor unit or a grandly-proportioned two-level, 4-bedroom home with delightful sunset pond views. For homeowners seeking a private oasis near the heart of the city, the newly-crafted duplex homes are a perfect choice. Each home will contain 3-bedrooms (one a 1st floor guest suite with full bath) and 3.5 baths and offer a secluded brick patio among the property’s mature trees. Enjoy the quality construction and elegance of Willowbank II, while savoring evenings at the nearby theaters, symphony, museums, and bistros.”

Willowbank Phase II

The kicker is that there is a preference for Boston residents, households with at least one person per bedroom, and first-time homebuyers. The income guidelines are as follows:

(1) two-bedroom unit available for immediate occupancy

Maximum Income Per Household Size

Income Requirements may be subject to change based on new HUD Income Limits being issued prior to income certification.

Applications must be picked up in person only at 76 Pond St., Jamaica Plain (rear of brick bldg formerly known as 80 Pond St., opposite the boathouse at Jamaica Pond):

· Thurs-Friday, February 19-20, 10am – 5pm

· Saturday, February 21, 10am – 4 pm

· Mon & Tues, February 23-24, 10am – 5pm

· Including Late night Mon, Feb 23 until 7 pm

Deadline for completed applications:

In Person by 4 pm Fri, March 6, 2009, or by mail and postmarked by Wed, March 4, 2009

to Chris DeSisto, Pondside Development Co, 891 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

Selection by lottery.

Asset, Use & Resale Restrictions apply.

Call William Brokhof 617-828-7956 if you have further questions and I’ll try and get them answered for you!

Last year I attended a couple rather tense and sometimes heated meetings regarding the potential development at the corner of Green and Amory Streets in Jamaica Plain. This writer is of the opinion that The plan by Chris DeSisto of Maplehurst Builders was outstanding – at least in regard to the drawings, renderings and concepts shown that night in the E13 community room. If I remember correctly the DeSisto said the project would consist of roughly 13 units atop a commercial retail space. The community chimed in on what types of stores they would like to see including a cafe and an art supply store (personally, I think art supplies would be awesome, but question how viable this would be at this location.) There was to be parking below for the residential as well as a indentation to the sidewalk on Green allowing for, I think, three more cars to park short term during the day to patronize the stores, and then for the public in the evenings. It was a well thought, attractive and impressive plan. Unfortunately, the lot is still empty with nary a rock out of place.

Mixed use development by Maplehurst Builders

The project seemed to get through all the usual complicated hurdles such as the JP zoning committee and the BRA zoning board. The Maplehurst website shows the last news on the project as being a lawsuit filed by Carlysle Engineering late in June at the Superior Court.  Personally I’m hoping that the recession and the complications with the less than popular Carlysle Engineering hasn’t stopped this project completely. The Brewery District desperately needs the Amory Corridor to be developed. The existing junkyard look of the stretch from Green St. to the Foundry Lofts is terrible for the neighborhood. Even the anti-gentrification folks couldn’t argue that improving this length of Amory could only do good for the neighborhood. The billboard on the lot ajoining 154-160 Green St. came down a few weeks ago as well. It previously had a sign stating that there was future commercial space for rent by Denenburg Realty but there is nothing about it on the comapany website currently.

Just down from these projects, across the Green St. and adjacent to the T station is a new building that appears to be for various commercial offices and such.

It’s fairly plain but a fairly attractive piece of architecture. It’s clear that this side of the tracks is less afraid of a little modernization. The new building in the area seem to be trying to mesh fresh, clean lines with brick to call out to some of the historic buildings nearby.

It is my distinct hope that this area will continue to develop with this unorthodox Boston architecture as I am tres bored with the 1800′s! There I said it.