The Macallen offers golden opportunity for green lifestyle
The Macallen is more than an award-winning, mixed-use development at 141 Dorchester Ave., where Seaport ends and South Boston and the South End begin.
“It’s become a community,” says Tim Pappas of Pappas Development, who envisioned creating an ecologically sustainable property on what was a former asphalt parking lot, near a multi-tiered highway system and the MBTA’s Cabot Yard.
COURTESY PHOTO /
JOHN HORNER PHOTOGRAPHY
Jennifer Athas of Campion & Company Real Estate is marketing eight of the luxury condos – one- and two-bedroom units – ranging in price from $499,900 to $1.19 million.
“People are not focused on how sustainability affects the cost of living,” adds Pappas.
Certainly, the recent heat wave underscores the importance of energy efficiency and environmental design.
The 14-story building slopes upward, away from Dorchester Avenue, separate from other new residential complexes in the West Broadway neighborhood, drawing attention to its uniqueness.
Its roof is green, planted with native grasses and drought-tolerant sedums, which lessens the urban heat island effect. Private decks cut into the roof.
Another nod to the environment is the long, 60- by 240-foot landscaped terrace with an outdoor lap pool built above a three-story garage.
(Inside the garage is a 7,500-gallon cistern that collects rainwater and runoff from the building’s air conditioners; the water is used to irrigate the vegetation.)
The landscaping is only one component of the complex’s 140 residences that led to the Macallen achieving a LEED Gold certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and receiving kudos from numerous other quarters.
The 400-foot-long landscaped terrace includes seating areas with gas grills and a heated lap pool. Native plants that are drought resistant comprise the vegetation.
The building materials – the recycled steel, the bronze aluminum siding, the concrete, the natural cotton insulation and the wood – earned numerous points toward the LEED certification.
Sustainability is evident in the interiors as well – carbonized bamboo flooring, recycled quartz kitchen counters, floor cabinets with veneers of blond or ebony tiger wood, biodegradable linoleum in some kitchens, cork or grasscloth wall coverings in hallways, and low or no volatile organic compound paints.
The indoor air comprises a charcoal, triple-filtered system that constantly blows fresh air into each unit, which has programmable thermostats.
The air quality far exceeds green engineering standards set by the profession. The industrial grills for the air conditioning feature a sleek design.
High ceilings and floor-to-ceiling glass windows, many of which are operable, not only create a sense of openness but also provide fabulous city views around the clock. The Macallen has 35 different floor plans.
The floor-to-ceiling glass windows in the living/dining room present panoramic views of the city around the clock.
Unit 301 is a stunning corner unit with two bedrooms, two baths and 1,850 square feet of living space.
Situated at the end of the hallway, the entry is a fireproof, opaque glazed door, which opens into a grand space with sweeping views of the Back Bay and the Financial District. It is listed at $1.19 million.
The white kitchen lies behind the living area and is compact. Stainless steel appliances include a Jenn-Air refrigerator, a Bosch gas cooktop and range and an ergonomic dishwasher.
Custom-milled cabinetry includes some with frosted fronts. The counters are recycled quartz and include a movable serving cart. Pocket doors can close off the kitchen from the main living area and hallway.
The bedrooms lie off the hallway. The master bedroom has an en suite bath with a combination tub/shower; the second bath has an oversized shower.
The baths have elongated tiles, 4 by 12 inches, and rectangular vessel sinks.
Another magnificent unit, No. 616, is a one-bedroom duplex with one-and-a-half baths and 1,656 square feet of living space.
The open kitchen in Unit 616 features quartz counters and high-end stainless steel appliances. The contrasting base cabinets and center island are Makassar ebony veneer.
It also boasts two outdoor decks; one is about 400 square feet and the other, 700 square feet. It is listed at $889,000.
The open, linear kitchen is on the upper floor and boasts a center island with an ebony veneer base. The plane drops down to a built-in dining table. Opposite the island is a half wall of glass that looks down into the living room.
A staircase descends to the lower living/dining space, which has a second entrance from the eighth floor. Off the living room is the master bedroom and en suite bath. Glass sliders open onto the 700-square-foot deck, which can easily hold outdoor furniture.
Unit 904 is a more traditional one-bedroom, one-bath home, with 996 square feet.
“It’s a 21st century loft; it is open, defined space,” says Pappas.
The Macallen at 141 Dorchester Ave. in the Seaport District is a luxury, full-service residential and retail complex.
The linear kitchen has a center island that faces a large living area with south-facing windows.
The bedroom and bath are off the living area, and the bath has the same tile work as the others and Dornbracht fixtures.
In addition to the wonderful outdoor space, which has seating areas and three gas grills, the Macallen boasts other amenities. There is a large community room that opens onto the terrace. This room is equipped with a huge drop-down screen and projector and blackout shades, and it has a kitchen and bathroom. A state-of-the-art gym is another amenity.
Condo fees are considerably less than many full-service buildings in the Back Bay or on the Waterfront, says Pappas. The fee includes the usual water, sewer and maintenance charges s well as costs for cable service, gas, heating, air conditioning, garage parking and 24-hour concierge staffing.
As an added incentive, says Athas, if 10 condos are sold before Sept. 1, the buyers will receive a $25,000 bonus.
DETAILS
Address: 141 Dorchester Ave., Seaport
Age: 2007
Price: Ranging from $499,900 to $1.19 million.
Size: 855 to 1,864 square feet
Taxes: Ranging from $4,644 to $10,251 (FY 2010)
Condo fees: Ranging from $482 to $1,276 (includes heat, air conditioning, gas, Direct TV and Internet)
Features of units: Flats, duplexes and triplexes, with carbonized bamboo flooring, various wood finishes from renewable sources, stone countertops, gas cooktops, ergonomic, counter-level dishwashers; stainless steel appliances, some with private terraces, dual flush toilets, oversized insulated windows, security system and intercom, fresh air ventilation system; deeded garage parking.
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: Jennifer Athas or Tracy Campion, Campion and Company Real Estate, 172 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116. Phones: 617-236-0711 (office) or 617-899-4653 (cell).
Website: www.campionre.com
An open house will be held at this property Sunday, July 11, from noon to 2 p.m.
