Boston's loftlike condo is 'green,' comfortable

The Macallen at 141 Dorchester Ave. in the Seaport District is a 14-story skyscraper of glass, recycled steel and bronze aluminum that was completed four years ago.

Its sloping roof with green vegetation, along with its proximity to the network of ramps and exits of Route 93, is distinctive, towering above surrounding buildings.

But even more remarkable is its focus on energy efficiency and environmental design, which succeeded in attaining a Gold LEED certification. The Macallen was one of the first residential buildings that received that designation in Boston.

An expansive paved courtyard from Dorchester Avenue leads to the entry, a large, roomy, calming space, staffed by a concierge.

Deep inside the lobby is the elevator, which carries you to a hallway finished with grasscloth wall coverings and cork flooring and to Unit 507, listed at $649,000.

It is a one-bedroom condo, which was decorated by Dennis Duffy, a noted interior designer who opened his own studio, D Scale, in the South End a few years ago.

Lawrence Shevick of Otis & Ahearn Real Estate is the listing agent.

The entry foyer is wide, displaying artwork, as it leads to the principal living space and the striking view of the city.

A wide foyer expands into a grand space that ends with huge windows with sweeping views of the Financial District, the Federal Reserve and west to the John Hancock tower.

The kitchen is to the right and is open to the living room, allowing the cook to prepare a meal while conversing with guests. A center island topped with a blue and white and pink recycled quartz composite   defines the workspace, and the overhang fits three on breakfast stools.

The kitchen itself boasts stainless steel appliances, including a Bosch four-burner gas range and a JennAir refrigerator.

The custom-milled European-style cabinetry is striking with acid-etched mirror fronts by Bendheim.

The backsplash above the cooktop and above the deep stainless steel sink features recycled aluminum tiles, brick-shaped, that reflect the light.

Light is important here, as the walls are the palest of grays that serve as a perfect backdrop for the owner’s black and white photographs and artwork and also direct your attention to the panoramic city view.

The open kitchen features recycled quartz counters, custom cabinetry and high-end stainless steel appliances.

Subtle track lighting was added in the living room that can be directed onto the art.

Against one wall is a beautiful, custom-built and Duffy-designed mahogany desk, about 16 feet long. Another mahogany piece that Duffy designed is a television cabinet that fits perfectly into a niche. It has rubber wheels so that can be moved easily.

The entire living space is unified by the carbonized strand bamboo flooring, which is slightly darker than the typical blond tone.

The bedroom is big and comfortable, deliberately painted a charcoal gray to soothe the soul. Wall-to-wall carpeting softens the room, which has custom-designed wool blackout drapes and white shades.

Two large closets, built out by California Closets, offer plenty of storage.

The doors to the bedroom and to the bath have an ebony zebrawood veneer with dark vertical striations that add interest.

The same material was used to construct the vanity in the contemporary bath. A good-sized rectangular vessel sink with Dornbracht fixtures sits atop the vanity.

The bedroom has wall-to-wall carpeting and surround sound and boasts two large built-out closets.

The dual-flush toilet is economical and the soaking tub is combined with the shower.

Ceramic floor tiles are 4 by 12 inches for a dramatic effect.

Next to the bath is a laundry/utility room with a Bosch stacked washer/dryer.

There is a separate linen closet with a zebrawood door also. These doors have flush pull handles to maintain a smooth surface.

Ceiling height throughout is 10 feet, giving a sense of airiness and space. It’s loftlike but with fine finishes.

The owner installed a sound system throughout the condo, but the speakers are nearly flush to the walls and painted the same color so that they are nearly invisible.

What are visible are the air vents. This is a smoke-free building, and according to the developer, the air quality far exceeds green engineering standards set by the profession.

The outdoor air is filtered with charcoal before introduction into each unit, and the intake and exhaust ducts are monitored for carbon monoxide.

Other amenities at the Macallen include access to a 20,000-square-foot landscaped terrace with a raised deck and a 60-foot lap pool that has been closed for the season. This area is built above the three-story garage.

In addition, a large community room that opens onto the terrace has a huge drop-down screen, a projector and blackout shades for showing films. A kitchen and bath are located here as well.

The bath has a combination shower and soaking tub and a vanity of ebony zebrawood. A rectangular vessel sink sits above it.

The residents of the building next door, the Court Square Press Building, share the community room and the garage. The same developer, Pappas Enterprises, converted the Court Square Press Building to condos in 2004.

The printing company had moved into the building in the 1950s. Previously, it was the MacAllen Manufacturing Company, which produced electrical supplies for the nearby railroads in the early 1900s.

The developer took the Macallen name for the new skyscraper. 

DETAILS

Address: Macallen Building, 141 Dorchester Ave., Unit 507, Seaport

BR/BA: One bedroom, one bath

Size: 1,087 square fee

Age: 2006-2007

Price: $649,000

Taxes: $5,145 (FY 2011 with residential exemption)

Condo fee: $672 per month (includes heat, air conditioning, gas, Direct TV and Internet) 

Features of building: A green-built, pet-friendly 137-unit building with spacious lobby, elevator, central heat and air conditioning; 20,000-square-foot roof terrace with outdoor grills and lap pool on third floor, above-ground parking garage; screening room with kitchen and rest rooms; common areas with Wi-Fi; professionally managed; extra sound proofing and insulation, 24-hour concierge.

Features of unit: Large open floor plan with carbonized bamboo flooring, zebrawood doors and vanity; composite stone counters; stainless steel appliances with gas cooktop; dual flush toilet; oversized insulated windows, fresh air ventilation system, one deeded parking space.

Close by: The South End, Fort Point Channel HarborWalk, the Financial District, South Boston, many restaurants; easy access to Broadway MBTA Red Line Station, Routes 93 and 90.

Contact: Lawrence Shevick, Otis & Ahearn Real Estate, 21B Wormwood St., Boston, MA 02210.Phones: 617-670-0800 (office) or 617-821-0028 (cell).

Website: www.otisahearn.com

For a showing, call Dennis Duffy at 617-686-5729.