Condo Living On Boston's New Greenway

In 1959 Boston authorities made a tough decision when figuring out what to do with the overflow of traffic moving to, from, and through the city. Their solution was to erect a 6 lane elevated superhighway, one that would slice the city in half. The Central Artery, as it was called, displaced 20,000 residents from their homes, and severed Boston's Waterfront and the North End from the rest of the city. The ability for these neighborhoods to economically compete in the city's commerce were cruelly diminished. 25 years later, when the volume of traffic on the Central Artery began creating over 10 hours of congested traffic per day, and as the severed neighborhoods were still harboring their grudges, a solution was planned once again. This time it was called "The Big Dig".


The Big Dig broke ground in 1991 with a mission to remove the entire Central Artery, replacing it with an 8-10 lane expressway below the surface. It would require huge connector ramps on either side of the tunnel, and as an added bonus, the Ted Williams Tunnel would be constructed to connect Logan Airport in East Boston to South Boston, thus creating an alternate route for travelers approaching from the South and West. When it was all said and done, the Big Dig disrupted 7.8 miles of highway. If each lane of those highways were laid down one after the other, it would stretch out for more then 161 miles. The project is currently in its final stages, 15 years later.


Although the finishing touches still need to be applied, Boston residents are already realizing the effects of the Big Dig. The North End and the Waterfront are once again a part of the city, whereby residents can easily stroll from one neighborhood to the other. The sound of traffic is buried beneath the streets, and the once poisoned property along the Central Artery is busting with construction and realizing a growing volume of commerce. Besides bringing the city back together, the Big Dig is responsible for the creation of more then 260 acres of open land. Where the old artery once stood stretching through the city, a strip of parks, art centers, and recreational facilities are being built. The Rose Kennedy Greenway, as the strip will be termed, is being lined with new hotels, restaurants, shops, galleries, an arboretum within, and several new luxurious condominium residences. Rowes Wharf and the Boston Harbor Hotel have had the pleasure of watching the entire Greenway laid out in front of them. Other condo buildings, either new construction or recent conversions, have recently opened their doors in time to take full advantage of the areas new atmosphere. These include Greenway Place, Folio Boston, Broadluxe, and the Residences at the Intercontinental. There are several residential communities planned for the future, including Russia Wharf, which will position itself should-to-shoulder with The Intercontinental.


The Greenway represents something brand new for a city whose streets and neighborhoods have already fathered so much history. Being a Boston resident affords each individual the ability to observe and contribute to this exciting era. Living along the Greenway and among all its integral surroundings offers a promise of something novel and unique in a city where that is often rare. The Rose Kennedy Greenway will be a hub of anticipation, of activity, of fresh character, and of exhilaration.

For a virtual tour of the Rose Kennedy Greenway, visit "Neoscapes A City In Bloom"
Statistics Source - Massachusetts Turnpike Authority

Understanding Boston's Condo Hotels

Just a few years ago, when the national real estate market was soaring, one of the trendiest properties to buy was the new condo hotels. Although the concept wasn't newly born, it appeared as such when condo hotel projects were sprouting up all over Miami Beach, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and Las Vegas. What's not to love? The sales pitch is quite attractive; own a condo at one of the newest and hippest hotels in the country, receive all the glorious amenities of the hotel, mingle into the hotel's social scene, enjoy lavish spas and spectacular dining just a few floors below you, and realize the potential for regular rental income.
Unfortunately, as with most things, if its too good to be true, yada, yada, yada. As the real estate market slowed down, many projects in Miami Beach and Las Vegas had the plugs pulled before the first brick was even laid. Of the buyers who purchased pre construction, most had their 10% deposit returned to them. However, even with a few scrapped projects, condo hotels are still here, and because people desire them, more are on their way. Nationwide, 81 projects are currently in construction, with 29 opening this year alone.
Although Boston hardly supports a tourist market anywhere near the size of Florida and Nevada, some of the city's best hotels offer condo ownership. Just opened is the Intercontinental on Atlantic Avenue with 130 condominiums. Within the year, Battery Wharf in the North End will open with 104 units, and, soon after, the Mandarin Oriental with 40. Open for years has been the Residences at the Ritz Carlton Hotel with 53, Four Seasons Place with 90, and Rowes Wharf at the Boston Harbor Hotel with 96 condos. And that's just to name a few of them.
If you're interested in purchasing a residence at a hotel, its important to learn as much as you can about what comes with your ownership. What, if any, interaction exists between the residences and the hotel. Many times, especially in Boston, residences are not allowed to participate in any rental programs. In such cases, the units are generally much larger and more luxurious then the hotel units. If you're interested in learning more about any of the properties listed in this article, please contact us.