Batesrealestatereport.com – by David Bates
“Chin literally gaping,” says Mark Hand, an agent with William Raveis Real Estate, describing the visceral response many buyers have when viewing the high quality finishes at his new listing: The Farmhouse Residences at 23 Cheshire, Jamaica Plain.
Standing in the midst of a huge, open floor plan in #23R – which of course reflects a farmhouse themed design – Hand points out hickory wide plank flooring, cast iron HVAC covers, and a huge kitchen island topped with one piece of Imported Italian marble. “It’s very difficult to get a 10-12 foot piece of marble,” he explains. Difficult is probably a way to say expensive, I think, as Hand turns his attention to the Thermador appliance package included with the condos.
In my experience, Jamaica Plain new construction has always been one of the Hub’s leading markets for design finishes; however; it seems that a couple of factors inspired the developer of the farm residences to go to pretty extreme extents. First, Jamaica Plain broke the glass ceiling. Hand says that a few years back, it was typical for really high-end JP homes to get $400 a square foot. But now, he notes they can get $500 a square foot or more, as the recent sales at 54 Burroughs did when they sold between $564 and $704 a square foot. As a result of the increased square foot value, JP condo sales are cracking or shall we say absolutely shattering another glass ceiling by garnering sales prices in excess of $2 million. The massive Farmhouse Residences in Central JP, with their over-the top finishes, are priced at $1.649 million ($437 per square foot) and $1.895 million ($464 per square foot). By the new pricing standards, these condos seem to be going with the JP trends rather than outpacing them.
According to Hand, another reason for the ultra-cool designs is that the neighborhood is environmentally conscious. Even though 23 Cheshire resides on a very large lot by city standards – 12,243 square feet – the neighborhood was hoping for two units on it in lieu of a more dense development. Cedar Hill, one of the most active developers in JP, was sensitive to the collective hopes and wishes of the community and chose to maintain the integrity of the street. They even preserved the front building. Additionally, they chose to keep as much of the lot’s open space open, rather than push the boundaries of the buildings as close to the lot lines as possible. The benefit to the buyers is that the two condos on the property are huge: 23 Cheshire is 3775 square feet and 23R is 4,086 square feet.
While it’s much easier to add expenses early in a project, when optimism flows freely, at the end of a project – when many developers are behind in construction and over budget – they often cut back on design accents. Unfortunately, for those developers, the finishes are pretty much the only aspect of their project that buyers are going to see. Cedar Hill seemingly did the exact opposite at the Farm Residences, opting to increase expenses, rather than cut back. It’s because the developer has a passion and appreciation for design. “It’s a labor of love as much as it is a job,” observes Hand, commenting on the developer’s design choices. .
Hand notes, “The level and amount of detail is pretty staggering. “ He points out the soap stone surround on the fireplace, the window seating that flanks the fireplace on both sides, and the oodles of vintage lighting throughout. Of the custom assembled Emtek door knobs, Hand remarks that they are “basically the best knobs you can get on a door.”
Noting ship lap wallboard and bead board ceilings (“Which cost an arm and a leg, but are worth it,” according to Hand) his exuberance continues, “As we go upstairs, you’ll see more stuff that will blow you away.”
Later, looking at the master bath, Hand comments, “Marble here, marble there, there’s marble everywhere.” Then he gestures at the vanity and says, “This is from Restoration Hardware; it’s a vintage apothecary vanity.” Sounds like the developer would have considered Tiffany if they did vanities. Hand shows me a rainfall shower head that doubles as a blue tooth speaker. I discovered the Douglas Fir barn door entrance to the bathroom on my own.
In 23 Cheshire, Hand displays a bedroom ceiling that is coffered as well as barreled. “That’s difficult craftsmanship,” he says. “Most developers aren’t going to take the time.”
To the rear of the development, we take notice of what might bethe first eco-friendly driveway in Boston. It’s a sight to behold. “They wanted a porous driveway,” says Hand, explaining that the developer chose the beauty and expense of eco-friendly over gravel.
What’s the finish most commented upon at the Farmhouse Residences? Hand says it’s the private patio with a Carriage House that could be used as a studio, office, yoga area, or in some other creative way. The patio and carriage house belong to #23R.
Cheshire is located on a dead end street in Central JP, a destination that has become increasingly desired by buyers because of its closeness to both the restaurants on Centre Street and the Green Street T Stop. Both valued locales are within a few minutes’ walk.
I ask Hand, who has been an agent since 2006 and represented 50-75 new construction projects, where The Farmhouse finishes rank. “By far, the top.” He emphasizes, “By far.” I’m not surprised.