Centers And Squares
Welcome to Centers and Squares
As a Cambridge real estate agent, the city squares of Cambridge, Somerville and Medford and the town centers of Arlington, Watertown and Belmont, Massachusetts are my home turf. And as a lifelong New Englander who’s lived within twenty miles of Boston most of my life, I can introduce you to other nearby towns as we search for your new home. If you’re planning to sell your home in Cambridge, MA or nearby you’ll find plenty of info about the home selling process here too. Questions? Send me an email or call me at 617-504-1737.
New Book About Design Research
Design Research Building in Cambridge
Today’s Boston Globe has an excellent article about a new book about Design Research, the innovative store that opened in Harvard Square in Cambridge, by Jane Thompson, wife of the store’s founder, architect Ben Thompson.
The newly published book, Design Research: The Store That Brought Modern American Living to American Homes, is written by Jane Thompson and architectural historian, Alexandra Lange. According to the Boston Globe article it is packed with photos of people and products that were sold in the store.
Design Research History Exhibit in Harvard Square Last Year - Click for a larger view
I knew that the store was originally further down Brattle Street but wasn’t sure just where until seeing the Globe photo of 57 Brattle Street, the original Design Research location.
Crate and Barrel, with wares that clearly were influenced by Design Research, occupied the iconic Harvard Square building for many years. The store was briefly used to display Design Research memorabilia last year – it almost seemed a tease of sorts to many who hoped that somehow the store would be resurrected. But as the Globe reports, an Anthropologie store is due to open in the D/R building later this year.
The new book about Design Research, Design Research: The Store That Brought Modern American Living to American Homes is published by Chronicle Books and available at local bookstores.
New Porter Square Art Gallery
Opening Reception at New Porter Square Art Gallery
New Porter Square Art Gallery There’s a wonderful new art gallery in Porter Square – From Russia With Art.
Owners Olesya and Jerry Koenig recently opened the gallery at 1977 Mass Ave at the corner of Beech Street. The Koenigs moved to Cambridge from Moscow earlier this year. Long-time art collectors, their gallery allows them to showcase their favorite Russian artists.
The two-level gallery is a light and beautiful space to display their collection. Here you’ll find paintings, prints, sculptures and more from artists whose work has been difficult to find in the US before now.
From Russia With Art Owners - Jerry and Olesya Koenig
There’s a range of prices so you’re sure to discover a piece to add to your collection or the perfect gift for that special someone.
The opening reception at From Russia With Art was a huge success this week. The gallery is now open daily and special events are planned to give visitors the opportunity to meet some of the artists. Check the From Russia With Art website for more information.
Stop by the new Porter Square art gallery – From Russia With Love – at 1977 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140.
Meet Belmont
Meet Belmont - Thursday August 26th
Meet Belmont Have you just moved to Belmont? Still finding your way about?
Even if you’ve lived in Belmont for years, you’ll want to stop by the 8th Annual Meet Belmont next Thursday.
From 6 to 8:30 representatives from town departments, local government, civic organizations and community groups will be available to answer questions and provide information about local amenities, organizations and services.
You can register to vote, get bus maps, find out about arts and recreation opportunities and more.
Free and open to the public.
Meet Belmont is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 26th, 2010 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Chenery Middle School, 95 Washington Street, Belmont, MA
20 Things To Do In Cambridge When It’s Hot
It’s been a hot summer in the city. If you’re looking for ways to cool off – or just to get your mind off the sweltering heat – here are Twenty Things To Do In Cambridge When It’s Hot.
A walk by the river is a cool way to spend some time on a hot day. Stroll along the Charles River and take in the beautiful views of Boston across the water.
On Sundays the walk along the Charles gets even better when Memorial Drive is closed to traffic. Rollerblade, bike, walk or run – the street is yours. From the last Sunday in April to the second Sunday in November Memorial Drive between Western Ave and Mount Auburn Street is closed to traffic from 11 am to 7 pm.
When it’s super hot you can always soak up the free air conditioning at the mall. Head on over to the Cambridgeside Galleria on 1st Street in East Cambridge.
If you’d rather not shop, the Galleria is adjacent to the Lechmere Canal Park. There are plenty of places to sit and catch a breeze over the water. Just watching the fountain makes it seem cooler.
From the park you can take a Charles River cruise with the Charles Riverboat Company. Cruises depart several times a day from late May to the end of October.
Rather take a boat out yourself? Charles River Canoe & Kayak rents boats by the hour in Kendall Square.
Summer’s the season to spend some time in the garden. If you don’t have space at home, perhaps you’ve secured a plot in one of Cambridge’s many community gardens. Just want to look? Visit the community garden on Sacramento Street and wander the paths or catch some rays in the adjacent field.
The good folks over at Sergi Farm in Belmont (just over the Cambridge line) have been toiling in the fields despite the heat. Head on over to the farmstand to pick up some fresh as can be produce.
Too hot to garden? I know that’s my excuse. Instead, why not spend an afternoon at the Glass Flowers exhibit at the Harvard Museum of Natural History. The collection includes over 3000 glass flower models created by father and son glass artisans, Leopold and Rudolph Blaschka from 1887 to 1936.
Another museum to check out on a hot day is the Longfellow House on Brattle Street. Home to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and his family, the house also served as headquarters for George Washington during the Revolutionary War.
Just feel like play? Many Cambridge parks have water features. Here’s a map to find the 26 Cambridge parks with waterplay facilities.
Need to get out with the dog? Take a walk around Fresh Pond. The greenery and water views will take your mind off the heat and your dog will have plenty of canine companions to meet and greet. Dogs registered in Cambridge can go off leash.
For a walk without the dog there isn’t a more beautiful setting than Mount Auburn Cemetery. With more than 5000 trees, several ponds, and a hilltop observatory tower there’s plenty of shade and places to catch a breeze. Bring some binoculars – it’s a great place to bird watch.
Movie theaters are typically air conditioned havens. Check out the latest at the Kendall Square Cinema or the Brattle Theatre (yes – it is air conditioned!)
The newly renovated Cambridge Public Library at 449 Broadway offers a cool spot to sit with a book or a magazine.
Hang out in Harvard Square. On warm summer evenings the Square is always hopping. Street performers abound and there are plenty of cafes, restaurants and shops if you want a blast of A/C. Try a game of chess in front of Au Bon Pain. Trees provide some shade and the people watching opportunities are top notch if chess isn’t your game.
Outside dining opportunities abound in Cambridge. Whether it’s Christopher’s in Porter Square, the Harvest in Harvard Square, or the 1369 Coffee House in Central Square – plenty of Cambridge cafes and restaurants offer outside tables.
How about a morning tennis game? If you’re still up for exercising despite the heat then the public tennis courts on Pemberton Street are a fine place for a match.
Need to cool off afterwards? Head down Rindge Ave to the public outdoor pool at 359 Rindge Ave or across town to the pool at Magazine Beach at 719 Memorial Drive.
When all else fails duck into an ATM booth to soak up the cool. The ATMs on Huron Ave have been icy cold oases this summer.
Stay cool!! And if you have more ideas for things to do in Cambridge when it’s hot be sure to let us know.
Emerson House Museum In Concord
Ralph Waldo Emerson House Museum in Concord
Emerson House Museum In Concord What’s a house enthusiast / real estate agent do in her spare time? Visit house museums of course. I’ve always loved them – the antiques, the literary connections, the “step back in time” sensation that can flicker through your mind. Massachusetts has plenty of house museums and I’m going to highlight one each week.
Emerson House Museum In Concord
Though the lines are longer at the Old Manse or the Orchard House, the Emerson House in Concord is not to be missed. Take a drive out to Concord – twenty minutes from Cambridge and 150 years back in time.
Ralph Waldo Emerson, noted Transcendentalist, philosopher and author, bought the house for his family in 1835. Emerson lived here until his death in 1882 and family members lived in the house for many years thereafter.
The house is owned by Emerson’s descendants and is much the same as it was when the Emerson family lived here. Unlike many house museums, furnished with period pieces in an attempt to recreate the feel of an earlier time, at the Emerson House you are able to see the house very much as it was when the family lived here and entertained so many whose names we still know well.
Be sure to wander around the expansive yard after your tour.
Ralph Waldo Emerson House museum is open Thursday to Sunday from mid-April through October.
For hours and admission charges check the Emerson House website.
Emerson House Museum is at 28 Concord Turnpike, Concord, Mass. across from the Concord Museum
950 Mass Ave – Bay Square Condos
950 Mass Ave - Bay Square Condos
950 Mass Ave – Bay Square Condos Bay Square at 950 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge MA offers Cambridge real estate buyers a full-service luxury building between Harvard Square and Central Square.
Buses run down Mass Ave and the Red Line subway stops are close by in either direction. A bus to the Longwood Medical area stops nearby.
Built in 1989, Bay Square has more than 100 condos on seven floors. There are studios, one-bedrooms and two-bedroom condos and a variety of floor plans.
Bay Square Condos – 950 Mass Ave Feature:
- Elevator building
- 24 hour concierge
- Resident superintendent
- Some condos have garage parking
- Exercise facility
- Sauna
- Outdoor pool
- Top floors units have a fireplace
- Pets are not allowed
Real Estate Sales at Bay Square – 950 Mass Ave
A two bedroom, two bath 4th floor condo with a garage parking space sold for $600,000 in 2009.
A four-room one-bedroom on the 4th floor with one garage space sold for $445,000 in 2009.
If units are available in the building they’ll appear below. Click on the small photo for additional photographs and more information.
Bay Square Condos are located at 950 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139
Fire Ants In Cambridge
In the middle of this summer’s drought it feels like the desert around here. But maybe it’s the jungle. Turns out we’ve got fire ants in Cambridge. How weird is that?
Fire Ants In The Hot City
The City of Cambridge website has an alert about the fire ants recently discovered in North Cambridge in Danehy Park and several Bellis Circle yards. These are European Fire Ants – thought to have been brought to Cambridge in plants from Maine.
The Cambridge Chronicle reported today on efforts to eradicate the fire ants which, according to one homeowner who has colonies in his backyard, will “crawl up your legs and bite you” if you venture near them. Eeek!!
Somerville Real Estate Sales – July 2010
Welcome to the Somerville Real Estate Report
Here’s the last of the monthly real estate reports with a quick look at Somerville real estate sales in July 2010.
Somerville Real Estate on the Market
253 residential properties were listed for sale in Somerville in the MLS on July 31, 2010 for asking prices between $118,500 and $1,600,000. Average days on market for these properties was 112.
Somerville Real Estate Sales – July 2010
55 residential properties sold in Somerville in July with a median sales price of $449,900. That’s a third fewer properties than sold in July of last year. The number of properties on the market at the end of the month, though, is unchanged from last year. Many agents feel that if there were more properties available on the market there would be more sales. We’re all working with buyers who haven’t been able to find what they want and would buy if they did.
7 Somerville single family houses sold in July for prices between $239,000 and $800,000. The median sales price was $311,000. On average, houses sold for 98% of asking price.
29 condos sold in Somerville last month for prices from $155,000 to $760,000. These condominiums were on the market an average of 69 days. The median condo sales price was $345,200. On average, condos sold for 97% of the asking price.
19 multi-family houses sold during July for prices from $274,000 to $779,000. The median sales price was $595,000. On average, multi-families sold for 98% of the list price and were on the market 62 days.
Total value of Somerville real estate sales in July 2010 was $24,868,500.
See also:
Somerville Homes Sold in June 2010
Info about Somerville real estate sales in July 2010 from MLSpin
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