Tag: South End real estate

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Four Seasons – Big Prices!

WOW! Great post by Scott.

Coming Attractions: Big Apple Condo Prices

Posted by Scott Van Voorhis

Christian Science tower, rendering.jpg

Take a good look at the glimmering new condo and hotel skyscraper in this rendering.

This 58-story spire, slated to take shape next to the Christian Science Plaza in the Back Bay, is one of a trio of new towers poised to bring New York condo prices to the Hub.

The new $700 million Christian Science tower, recently approved by Boston City Hall, will feature the Four Seasons brand, with 180 super-luxury condos on the top forty floors. Construction is expected to kick off next year, with a planned 2017 opening.

The new Millennium Tower in Downtown Crossing, now under construction, will hit 56 stories.

And Don Chiofaro’s proposed new harborside tower complex would top out at 55 stories, crowned by 120 multimillion-dollar units.

There’s talk of these new skyline-topping condos fetching $4,000 or even $5,000 a square foot.

That’s double or more what the most expensive condos are selling for right now in Boston, with a penthouse at the Mandarin Oriental holding the record after fetching more than $13 million a few years ago.

Double that number and you get an idea of what the future may hold for Boston’s already crazy condo market – penthouses overlooking vast stretches of Eastern Massachusetts selling for $25 million and up.

OK, let’s not get ahead of ourselves here.

Kevin Ahearn, chief executive of Otis & Ahearn, a top Boston luxury condo marketing and brokerage firm, says we will just have to wait and see how prices shake out.

Still, these super-luxury condos atop Boston’s bejeweled skyline will be in a league of their own.

“These new towers will offer five-star living and drop dead views,” Ahearn says. “It’s alpha luxury and it will create a new category.”

The new skyscrapers biggest draw, besides sheer luxury, will be their height. While 58-story towers are no big deal by New York standards, they are a very big deal in the Hub.

The tallest condo towers in Boston currently max out after 40 or so stories. Not bad, but still shrimps by Big Apple standards.

 

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Boston Condo Record

WOW!

Boston Condo Goes for Record

Posted by Scott Van Voorhis

Four Seasons, luxuryboston.jpg

 

A condo sold at the Four Seasons came close to hitting the $3,000 a square foot mark.

That’s the word from Kevin Ahearn, chief executive of one of downtown Boston’s leading luxury marketing and condo sales firm.

Unit 1201 at the Four Seasons, fetched $10.5 million back in May in a quiet deal involving only a few brokers.

The final sale price weighed in at $2,908 square feet for the four-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath penthouse.

That’s the highest amount paid to date, on a per-square-foot basis, for a Boston condo, Ahearn believes.

“Big jumps in pricing are occurring,” Ahearn said. “We don’t see any slowdown, in fact we see an acceleration.”

At 3,525 square feet, the Four Seasons condo is the size of a large suburban home, but with with upper floor views of the Back Bay and Public Garden.

Given just a few months ago all the hype in the market was about a few units that managed to break the $2,000-a-square-foot mark, Boston condo prices are clearly on a tear.

The Four Season penthouse was last sold in back in the summer of 2000 for $6.3 million – some pretty decent price appreciation there.

“It is indicative of very significant upward pressure on prices,” Ahearn said.

Well you can say that again.

 

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Fabulous Ink Block In Boston

great post by Scott!

From Tabloid to Hip Condos

Link|Comments ()Posted by Scott Van Voorhis

Location, location, location – that’s what real estate is all about. And the new Ink Block, taking shape where the South End meets Chinatown, has it in spades.

The glitzy glass-and-steel, six-building condo and apartment development is taking shape on Harrison Ave., where the big old brick red Boston Herald building stood until it was demolished last year.

As a reporter at the Herald back in the 2000s, the location couldn’t be beat. Need to get to Beacon Hill? No problem, that’s a 20 minute walk. Press conference in the Back Bay – be there in 15 minutes. Hungry? Let’s head across the street to Chinatown. Or for that matter, around the corner to the South End, a restaurant paradise. No car needed – just you and your two feet. (OK, I’m tall and a pretty fast walker, but still.)

That location, which was great for reporters, will be even better for the residents of the $500 million Ink Block, with the city and its attractions literally at their feet.

A total of six buildings are planned, each featuring a unique design inspired by the South End and intended to be an antidote to the Boston’s increasingly hard to tell apart bevy of new luxury condo towers, Ted Tye, managing director of National Development, tells me.

“There is so much being built in the city these days that is very generic – you can’t tell whether you are in the Seaport, the Back Bay, or the South End,” Tye says.

Final Sepia Hero Night.jpg

 

More than 60 percent of the units at the Sepia, the project’s 83 unit condo building, are already spoken for, Tye tells me. (Herald, Ink Block, Sepia – you get the theme.)

Prices range from $500,000 for a studio to over $2 million for a penthouse unit. The condos come with balconies large enough to actually recline in a chair and take in the city skyline, with a neat rooftop hangout spot, complete with an outdoor kitchen.

The developer’s initial proposal to build condos at the Herald site drew its fair share of skeptics a few years back, with condos still recovering from the downturn. Now demand is soaring, condos are hot, and Tye feels vindicated.

“On Sepia, the idea has been to create luxury condos and really take advantage of being in the South End,” Tye said. “We bet a couple years ago the condo market would come back. We took a risk.”

Beyond skyline views – the project is taking shape roughly where the Herald’s publisher once held court in a suite facing the city – some additional treats are in store as well for Sepia residents.

A 50,000 square foot Whole Foods is also taking shape at the site, along with a bevy of what will hopefully be some hip new restaurants, in keeping with the South End’s proud culinary traditions.

There are also some extra perks for residents, who can enter the store directly from the Sepia without going outside, and then head back up the elevator, groceries bags in hand, to their condos. Or they can take a plunge in the rooftop pool that is being built on the roof of the grocery store.

Three apartment buildings are well underway now, with openings planned for early 2015.
Named Ink Block One, Two and Three, each takes a different design theme from the South End. Ink Block Two, for example, will feature loft style units with a black and white color theme.

While the Ink Block is a great launching pad from which to explore Boston, the immediate area around the project wasn’t always much to write home about.

In fact, the old Herald, when it was standing, was an outpost of zaniness amid a no-man’s land of sprawling parking lots, a homeless shelter, and the occasional streetwalker.

But the streets around the emerging Ink Block are on their way to becoming a residential hot spot, with a number of projects taking shape in the area.

The Ink Block itself was deliberately designed with six different buildings in a bid to give the project more a vibrant neighborhood feel, Tye notes.

Stay tuned.

 

 

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Middle Market Towns Back

 

Interesting Boston.com post by Scott.

Middle Market Towns Hot

Posted by Scott Van Voorhis June 2, 2014

The spring market has been particularly choppy this year. Sales have stalled amid a shortage of listings that has left many buyers fuming. The up today, down tomorrow economy hasn’t help things much either.

And it has been an increasingly uneven real estate market as well. A few towns and neighborhoods are super hot, with double digit increases in sales and prices. By contrast, many other communities are seeing a falloff in either sales or prices, and, in some cases, both.

Not hot right now are a growing number of the more affluent suburbs, such as Hingham and Carlisle, which have seen both prices and sales fall off this spring.

Ditto for low income cities and urban neighborhoods, which, after starting to rebound after hitting bottom during the Great Recession, are starting to see prices deflate again.

But the middle market towns out there right now are the hot ones, posting big increases in both sales and prices this spring, according to April numbers recently posted by The Warren Group, publisher of Banker & Tradesman.

Towns seeing the biggest jumps in sales and prices this spring include:

Danvers: Median price rose 18 percent, to $377,500, while sales rose by more than 18 percent;
Dedham: Median price surged to nearly $400,000 – a 20 percent increase – while sales jumped 13 percent;
Barnstable: Median price jumped more than 35 percent, to $469,950, while sales soared nearly 41 percent;
Beverly: Sales up 42 percent while prices increased nearly 12 percent to $369,959;
Milford: Sales rose by more than 41 percent while the median price hit $270,000, an increase of more than 17 percent.
Norwood: Sales increased by more than 46 percent while the median price rose more than 9 percent, to $377,450
Wakefield: Median price jumped to nearly $420,000, or a 13 percent increase, while sales rose by nearly 10 percent;
Waltham: Median price hit $441,000, an increase of 11 percent, while sales jumped more than 17 percent.

 

 

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Upscale Towns – Falling Prices

Interesting post by Scott. The $1M+ market in Provincetown which is anchored by single family homes is performing somewhat differently with rising average sale prices but with fewer properties selling. Watch for a post this week on $1M + sales year to date.

Upscale Towns, Falling Prices

Posted by Scott Van Voorhis

After some torrid increases, home prices are taking a hit this spring in some upscale suburbs and urban neighborhoods across Greater Boston.

The elite top of the market, such as the Lincolns and the Cohassets, are doing just fine.

That is, with the exception of Cambridge, where sales of single- family homes are off 30 percent so far this year, while prices are down more than 20 percent, according to The Warren Group, publisher of Banker & Tradesman.

Rather, it’s that larger tier of affluent towns where signs of trouble are starting to pop up.

Just take Medfield. Curt Schilling recently slashed the price of his seven bedroom, 26 acre spread to $2.5 million – a cut of $500,000 – after years of on-and-off attempts to find a buyer.

But right now the one-time Red Sox star is chasing the market down, with the median home price in Medfield having fallen more than 5 percent this spring, to $545,000. (Check out an evening view of the Schilling homestead below – looks rather cozy for a 7,890 square foot manse.)

0430-curt-schilling-medfield-home-38-studios-rhode-island-1.jpg

A look at the latest Warren Group numbers for April is rather revealing. Other examples include:

Hingham: The median home price has dropped more than 9 percent, to $567,500, while sales are off 21 percent.

Orleans: Sales in this mid-Cape tourist town, home to Nauset Beach, were choppy to say the least, dropping by more than 35 percent. But that’s nothing compared to the median sale price, which plunged 41 percent to $432,025.

Carlisle: The median home price fell more than 10 percent, to $590,000, while sales are off nearly 39 percent.

Amherst: While sales were up, prices fell more than 8 percent to $312,000.

Newburyport: Sales were down 15 percent, while the median price fell more than 5 percent to $465,000.

Charlestown: The median price dropped by nearly 14 percent, to $645,000, while sales were off by 16 percent.

 

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Bad Combo

 

March review from Scott.

Bad combo: Rising prices, falling sales

Posted by Scott Van Voorhis

Home sales fell again in March, a bad omen for the spring market.

But right now it’s buyers who are taking it on the chin and sellers who are laughing all the way to the bank.

Home sales fell 11.5 percent this March compared to the same time last year, theMassachusetts Association of Realtors reports. The Warren Group, publisher of Banker & Tradesman, pegs the decline at a somewhat smaller 7.8 percent.

Yet both market trackers report a big jump in prices, a trend that has been going on for at least 18 months.

The median home price in Massachusetts rose 8.6 percent in March, to $315,000, according to the Warren Group, while MAR is reporting just about the same price, and an 8.3 percent jump.

So what gives?

The same old, same old we have been hearing about for the past year, too few homes for sale.

“The low inventory of single-family homes in the market is the primary cause of the decreasing sales activity,” said Timothy M. Warren Jr., chief executive The Warren Group, in a press release. “Motivated buyers, however, are eagerly bidding for the limited supply which accounts for the increasing sales prices. People want to buy homes before prices and interest rates rise further.”

 

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Will Success Ruin Boston?

Another interesting post by Scott.

Will success ruin Greater Boston?

Posted by Scott Van Voorhis

Boston is one of those hot cities increasingly favored by the global business elite.

It’s easy to gaze at all the posh new apartment and condo towers on the city’s skyline and wonder who can afford to live there, but the wealthy buyers just keep on coming, whether from the suburbs or from any number of distant lands.

We’ve got the best colleges and universities, one of the biggest concentrations of bio-tech and life science companies and talent in the world, and a thriving tech sector.

But success can come sometimes with a hefty price-tag, and rising real estate prices tops the list.

Writes Bynxers, a regular contributor to the comment board of this blog:

Eventually- the city will drown in its own success. Is it the natural evolution of a successful city? That only the wealthy can afford to reside there, and to “promote equality” affordable housing is put in place for those needing government subsidy, while no help or policy is put in place to assist the working class, middle class or even upper-middle class??

Right on, Bynxers. Too much success, unless treated properly, can prove to be a fatal disease.

The tendency is to keep on keeping on, despite diminishing and increasingly toxic returns.

Here’s more:

Hop in a plane and ride east for several hours to Europe or West to San Francisco. And behold, there you will see the future of Boston…..

Eventually- the city will drown in its own success. Is it the natural evolution of a successful city? That only the wealthy can afford to reside there, and to “promote equality” affordable housing is put in place for those needing government subsidy, while no help or policy is put in place to assist the working class, middle class or even upper-middle class??

Those original property owners are long gone: residents of Southie sold their triple deckers and now live on the South Shore…. Other neighborhoods have similar outcomes. Is this natural??? Is this the price of success???

I argue, in part, yes…. With a MAJOR “but” at the end….. Housing prices have been pushed up by artificial scarcity for years (atleast 20 or so). Not just in Boston- but eastern mass as a whole. Large lot requirements for single families, height restrictions and density restrictions…. its simple supply and demand. Now the city and state are just trying to catch up, but its too little too late.

There is no vindication at the end of this, no “gotcha” moment, no fairness, really. The middle class will have a choice: pay up or leave. There’s a constant new influx of young grads to fill the void for a while though and it will be a revolving door. Those born and raised here will likely stick it out. However, many will pack up and leave. The fate of the city and region at this point is more or less cast in stone, I’d assert.

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Q1 Goode and Farmer Report Boston

 

The national real estate pundits are talking about the lack of available inventory and declining sales numbers. These first quarter results for downtown Boston condominium sales tell a different story. The average sales price for condos in downtown Boston neighborhoods increased 21%. Sale were up by 12%. Total sale volume was up by 35%.

The South End and Back Bay neighborhoods reflect the more  standard state of the real estate industry here in eastern MA. Prices are up because of buyer demand, but sales are down and volume is flat – the effect of the critically depressed inventory of available condos for sale.

 

Boston chart

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

South Boston is  standout neighborhood! Average sales price up 20%.  Sales up 41%. Volume up 71%…and interestingly enough the only neighborhood with an increase in days on market, a result of additional inventory.

The all important spring market will be very important in determining the state of the real estate market in Boston.

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38 Essential Boston Eaterys

Blizzard here in Provincetown this morning.  It is crazy outside. A good day for thinking about food. I know this is a real estate website….but food matters!

WOW!  Rachel Leah Blumenthal is right that her post below is a must have for any foodie in Boston.  What a resource to keep handy. She writes for Eater.com/Boston. She is good!!!

I know this is a real estate website….but food matters!

 

The 38 Essential Boston Restaurants

January  2014, by Rachel Leah Blumenthal

22005_10_eater38logo.pngPresenting Boston’s updated Eater 38, your answer to any question that begins, “Can you recommend a restaurant?” This highly elite group covers the entire city, spans myriad cuisines, and collectively satisfies all of your restaurant needs. Every few months, we’ll be adding pertinent restaurants that were omitted, have newly become eligible (restaurants must be open at least six months), or have stepped up their game.

Your favorite restaurant isn’t on the list? There are certainly more than 38 fantastic restaurants around town — and probably about 38 million different opinions — so don’t hesitate to rip this list to shreds and say what you’d do differently in the comment section below. Please note that the numbers are not rankings; the list is geographically organized from north to south (roughly).

The 38 Essential Boston Restaurants, January 2014

HIGHLAND KITCHEN
150 HIGHLAND AVE., SOMERVILLE, MA 02143
(617) 625-1131, WEBSITE
A regular haunt of practically everyone who has ever lived in Somerville’s Spring Hill or Union Square in the last few years, Highland Kitchen specializes in comfort food, a lively ambiance, and strong cocktails. Try the spicy goat stew and the house-made ginger beer (also spicy), or swing by on a Monday for fried chicken and tiki drink specials.
150 HIGHLAND AVE., SOMERVILLE, MA 02143
(617) 625-1131
Now open for just over a year, Giulia has racked up a number of highly positive reviews for its house-made pasta and warm staff. The pappardelle with wild boar is a popular choice.[Photo: Rachel Leah Blumenthal]
1682 MASSACHUSETTS AVE, CAMBRIDGE, MA 02138
(617) 441-2800
Hidden off an alley in Somerville’s Union Square, Journeyman recently did away with its menu, which used to simply offer a few different sizes of tastings with dishes that changed weekly. Now, there’s no menu at all — pay $75; eat what is served. The focus is on delicate, artful preparations of local ingredients.
9 SANBORN CT, SOMERVILLE, MA 02143
(617) 718-2333
One of the hottest openings of 2013, Bronwyn is the second project from Tim and Bronywn Wiechmann of the acclaimed T.W. Food. The Union Square restaurant features German and Central European food, and the biergarten is always packed in pleasant weather.[Photo: Chris Coe]
255 WASHINGTON STREET, SOMERVILLE, MA 02143
(617) 776-9900
This romantic “Spanish Caribbean tapas” spot comes from a couple of architects, so the space is as beautiful as the menu items. You’ll feel like you’re dining in someone’s living room, which makes sense, since owners Alberto Cabré and Angelina Jockovich got their culinary start by throwing elaborate “underground” dinner parties.
253 WASHINGTON ST, SOMMERVILLE, MA 02143
(617) 764-2180
One of the most beautiful restaurants in town, Dali is always the right choice for a romantic night out. It’s lively, the tapas are delicious and meant to be shared, and it’ll make you think you’re in Barcelona. It’s such a landmark that many Somerville residents call the Washington/Beacon/Kirkland intersection the “Dali Corner.”
415 WASHINGTON ST, SOMERVILLE, MA 02143
(617) 661-3254
This 69-seat restaurant opened in 2010 and has helped pave the way for a new era of Somerville dining. The critics have praised Bergamot’s synthesis of relaxed attitude and serious skill. The team behind it reportedly has a new restaurant, Angel’s Share, slated for Inman Square.
118 BEACON ST., SOMERVILLE, MA 02143
(617) 576-7700
Yes, there’s amazing Italian food outside of the North End. This Eastie gem has recently received a huge amount of attention thanks to a Food Network appearance, but locals have always known that it’s the place to go for huge ravioli and excellent homemade pasta.
257 SARATOGA ST, BOSTON, MA 02128
(617) 567-7412
This cozy Somerville watering hole pairs hot dogs with classy cocktails in a retro lounge. The Monday “industry brunch” leaves diners happily full of chicken and waffles, homemade pop tarts, and Kool Aid du jour.
3 BEACON ST, SOMERVILLE, MA 02143
(617) 576-0006
James Beard winner Jody Adams’ Harvard Square flagship has been drawing crowds since opening nearly a decade ago, focusing on regional Italian cuisine and locally sourced ingredients. More recently, Adams opened up a new restaurant, TRADE, near South Station.
1 BENNETT ST, CAMBRIDGE, MA 02138
(617) 661-5050
An intimate, Chinese-inspired small plates restaurant presided over by chef Phillip Tang, ExNE was named one of the “The Top 6 Places to Taste the New Asian Fusion” by Bon Appetit. In-house noodles, dumplings, and bao blow away the competition, of which there is little.
1128 CAMBRIDGE ST, CAMBRIDGE, MA 02139
(617) 876-0286
Santarpio’s in Eastie is the place to go to shut up your obnoxious New York friends when they claim there’s no good pizza in Boston. This classic joint is unassuming and rough around the edges, just the way it should be. Pizzeria Regina may win the classic duel for sheer expansion, but Santarpio’s pizza is unmatched.
111 CHELSEA ST, BOSTON, MA 02128
(617) 567-9871
One of the city’s few restaurants with a vegetarian tasting menu, let alone one that diners regularly rave about. Oleana serves omnivores as well, with chef Ana Sortun imparting her well-known Mediterranean accents in dishes like octopus with crispy Brussels sprouts. Sortun and Oleana chef de cuisine Cassie Piuma are days away from opening a new restaurant, Sarma, in Somerville.
134 HAMPSHIRE ST., CAMBRIDGE, MA 02139
(617) 661-0505
Bondir has just blown everyone away, most notably by being named one of the ten Best New Restaurants in America in 2011 by Bon Appetit in addition to racking up about as many local accolades as you can get. It took what a lot of restaurants were already doing – the classed-up, local, rootsy thing – and managed to tighten the screws, add some flourishes, and still make it distinct and feel fresh. A Concord outpost opened up in fall 2013.
279A BROADWAY, CAMBRIDGE, MA 02139
(617) 661-0009
There are other restaurants that do local ingredients, French technique, or Southern recipes, but not under one roof. It’s amazing that shrimp and grits can taste this good so far north.
233 CARDINAL MEDEIROS AVE, CAMBRIDGE, MA 02141
(617) 499-0090
Since opening in late spring 2012, West Bridge quickly became the darling of Kendall Square, among many existing darlings. The French-inspired menu comes from Aquitaine Bistro alumni chef Matthew Gaudet. Don’t miss the egg in a jar.
1 KENDALL SQUARE, CAMBRIDGE, MA 02139
(617) 899-6088
A local legend of the prodigal son and former chef de cuisine at Momofuku Ssam Bar, who came home to run dad’s diner and put lots of octopus on the menu. The junior Maslow now owns his own spot as well — Ribelle in Brookline.
93 SCHOOL ST, WATERTOWN, MA 02472
(617) 923-4330
Western Mediterranean accents appear on chef-owner Steve Johnson’s menu, which is enhanced by a rooftop herb garden (in season). Sit at the bar for the full cocktail experience.
502 MASSACHUSETTS AVE, CAMBRIDGE, MA 02139
(617) 576-1900
Craigie is known for making simple dishes like roasted chicken extraordinary by using advanced techniques and technology — and for serving dishes that are just plain extraordinary, like a shareable confit and roasted milk-fed pig’s head with spicy pumpkin sambal and boudin noir-hoisin sauce. Owner Tony Maws recently opened up a new, more casual restaurant, The Kirkland Tap & Trotter, on the edge of Somerville and Cambridge.
853 MAIN ST, CAMBRIDGE, MA 02139
(617) 497-5511
The North End is generally known for Italian, which makes it all the more impressive that a seafood restaurant has made its name as one of the neighborhood’s best places to eat. The lines are long, but the lobster rolls are beloved. Choose cold with mayo or hot with butter.
63 SALEM ST., BOSTON, MA 02113
(617) 742-3474
This instant industry-approved classic has helped revitalize Downtown Crossing dining with its small, meaty menu, adult milkshakes, late-night dining and blunt rules for patrons. Opening executive chef Sam Monsour put a creative twist on junk food until leaving in the end of 2013, and his sous chef Chris Bauers has stepped up to take his place, continuing the tradition. Diners who want something more upscale can sidle into Bogie’s Place, the tiny steakhouse hidden inside.
21 TEMPLE PLACE, BOSTON, MA 02111
(617) 338-5333
Lovely views of the common and proximity to a variety of theaters give Troquet an advantage location-wise, but the food is outstanding as well, and the wine list is deservedly award-winning. Plus, it’s probably the only place you’ll see servers scooping butter out of a giant basket that is completely full of butter.
140 BOYLSTON ST, BOSTON, MA 02116
(617) 695-9463
A favorite of food nerds ’round the city, Taiwan Cafe is an easy answer when a Chinatown first-timer is wondering where to go. The soup dumplings rival other options in the neighborhood, and the Szechuan fish is another must-try.[Photo: Official Site]
34 OXFORD ST, BOSTON, MA 02111
(617) 426-8181
Sushi lovers who have not yet embarked on O Ya’s grand omakase have not yet lived. And it’s not just the seafood — the wagyu beef is so tender that it may bring a tear to your eye. Hidden in the Leather District, this tiny spot has accumulated numerous awards, including a James Beard for chef Tim Cushman.
9 EAST ST, BOSTON, MA 02111
(617) 654-9900
Superbly executed Shanghai-style dishes like lion’s head meatball and xiao long bao manage to be just as flavorful as their Sichuan counterparts, minus the heat. Considered by many to be the city’s best Chinese — and it’s nowhere near Chinatown.
204 HARVARD AVE, ALLSTON, MA 02134
(617) 566-7344
Island Creek Oyster bar looks more slick than the restaurant you would expect an oyster farm to operate, but it’s no less legit. The seafood-centric menu straddles straightforward and fun. The team is opening up a new restaurant, Row 34, in Fort Point later this fall.
500 COMMONWEALTH AVE, BOSTON, MA 02215
(617) 532-5300
Since opening in January 2013, Asta has quietly built up a devoted following for its tasting menu-only format. The mysterious restaurant has a minimal website, little to no marketing or social media presence, and an amazing Zeus painted on the wall, salvaged from the restaurant formerly in the space.
47 MASSACHUSETTS AVE, BOSTON, MA 02115
(617) 585-9575
Going strong since 1978, with a few location moves over the years, L’Espalier is revered for chef/owner Frank McClelland’s hybrid of French and New England cuisine, which makes extensive use of local, seasonal ingredients. If money’s no object, let him take you on his Tasting Journey, “a unique menu inspired by the seasons of New England crafted for your table.” Or stop by for a Cheese Tuesday to eat cheese and sing along to classic hits like “Don’t Stop Blue Cheesing.”
774 BOYLSTON ST, BOSTON, MA 02199
(617) 262-3023
Perhaps the only Boston restaurant to serve elaborately prepared sunflower buds, Erbaluce is no stranger to the title of the city’s “best Italian restaurant.” Chef/owner Charles Draghi changes the menu nightly.
69 CHURCH ST, BOSTON, MA 02116
(617) 426-6969
Open just over a year, Shōjō has managed to create a wildly successful Asian fusion menu — in Chinatown, no less — in a time when “Asian fusion” is not always enthusiastically received. Diners will find dishes like a “pot o’kimchi” alongside a charcuterie board. And then there’s the duck fat fries with Sriracha aioli.
9 TYLER ST, BOSTON, MA 02111
The most approachable of Barbara Lynch’s local empire, where tagliatelle with bolognese rubs elbows with dishes like strozzapreti with braised rabbit. Lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch are served on a diner-like counter. Doubles as a bakery with early-morning hours, offering delicacies like cronuts and apple cider donuts as weekly specials, depending on the season.
348 CONGRESS ST, BOSTON, MA 02210
(617) 737-1234
One of the priciest seats in town, Menton is Barbara Lynch’s crown jewel, boasting Relais & Châteaux status. After Kristen Kish, chef de cuisine at Lynch’s demo kitchen Stir, won Top Chef, she was swiftly promoted to chef de cuisine at Menton.[Photo: Official Site]
354 CONGRESS ST, BOSTON, MA 02210
(617) 737-0099
A veteran of the dining scene for over 20 years, this restaurant stakes its reputation partly on its infamous roasted chicken. Over the years it has changed exactly as much as it should. President Obama has been known to eat here.
553 TREMONT ST, BOSTON, MA 02116
(617) 423-2700
What’s not to like? Some dishes are Chinese, some Thai, some Vietnamese, and some a fantasy amalgam of various nationalities, but no one would dare call Myers+Chang Pan-Asian. One of the city’s most vibrant restaurants, it has an atmosphere that seems buoyed by a sense of chef Joanne Chang’s other successes with Flour Bakery. The badass dragon on the window doesn’t hurt either.
1145 WASHINGTON ST., BOSTON, MA 02118
(617) 542-5200
Scotch egg, suckling pig tacos, and at least three kinds of poutine. The dark humor in the name and decor continues through the menu, where heirloom vegetables appear alongside oysters “Rockafella.”
1395 WASHINGTON ST, BOSTON, MA 02118
(617) 425-0200
TORO
Chef-owner Ken Oringer and chef Jamie Bissonnette team up for one of the city’s hardest-to-get-into restaurants. Toro serves modern and traditional tapas ranging from simple grilled corn to elaborate dishes pairing seafood and charcuterie with rich, bold flavors that keep the crowds lining up. And now they’re lining up in New York City as well — Oringer and Bissonnette recently opened a new location in Chelsea.
1704 WASHINGTON ST, BOSTON, MA 02118
(617) 536-4300
Helmed by David Punch of Ten Tables, Sycamore has been turning heads in Newton since opening a year ago thanks to its refined contemporary American cuisine and solid beverage program.[Photo: Facebook]
755 BEACON ST, NEWTON, MA 02459
(617) 244-4445
The flagship of an expanding mini-empire now in Cambridge, P-town, and the burger biz, this tiny space is where it all began. The $48 tasting menu rivals ones that cost at least twice as much.
597 CENTRE ST, JAMAICA PLAIN, MA 02130
(617) 524-8810

 

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How Cool Is This Chart?

How far will a million bucks go in NYC?

$1 million will likely net more space in NYC versus San Francisco and Boston.


By Business Insider

According to Knight Frank data cited by CNBC’s Robert Frank, a million dollars goes a lot further in Cape Town than it would in Monaco.

But what about in the U.S.?

We looked at housing list price data from real estate brokerage Movoto.com and real estate marketplace Zillow.com. The diagram below shows the number of square feet of housing that you can buy for $1,000,000, based on the median price per square foot in each city:

city-real-estate-chart-corrected

With a median list price of $666 per square foot, San Francisco’s real estate boom limits a million dollars to buying about 1,500 square feet. On the other end of the spectrum, the median list price in beleaguered Detroit is just $12 per square foot — 55 times cheaper than in San Francisco.

Considering all five boroughs, the median price per square foot in New York City is $424. Looking just at Manhattan however, that price jumps to an astronomical $1,538 per square foot, leading to $1,000,000 buying just 650 square feet.