Luxury meets sustainability in Boston’s first ultra-green condominium
Macallen’s development elevated sustainable living in a way that neither Boston nor the state of Massachusetts had previously seen until its 2006 debut. “It was the area’s first multifamily building with LEED Gold certification. All of the sustainability features are one of a kind and advanced,” says Monica Ponce de Leon, architect and founder of MPdL Studio, who completed the project at her former firm, Office dA. The setting, a light industrial zone between highway ramps, made the green initiatives even more relevant. In the years since Macallen’s opening, the surrounding blocks — spanning South Boston and the Seaport District — have seen a rush of development, including more condominiums. Still, Macallen attracts a specific homebuyer. “We wanted people of all ages and backgrounds who were committed to a sustainable future,” says Ponce de Leon. In addition to a lower carbon footprint, residents enjoy luxe amenities, as well as proximity to public transit, highways and culturally rich neighborhoods.
An environmentally sophisticated project
Every facet of the condominium was designed with sustainability at the forefront. “When you walk through the building, the walls are lined with grasscloth wallpaper, the ceilings are cork and acoustically sound, even the paint is eco-friendly,” says Caroline Morson, Vice President at Compass. Indoor-outdoor living is paramount to the lifestyle at Macallen. Most floors have units with direct outdoor access through terraces, decks or balconies. On the top six floors, duplex and triplex residences include terraces that connect to the building’s sloped green roof, whose leafy succulents filter pollutants, collect rainwater and insulate the building from solar heat. The project was recognized by local, regional and national architecture organizations for its ahead-of-the-curve use of eco-building practices. “There’s a lot of prestige to living in a building that has this level of certification,” Morson says.
Of Macallen’s 140 residences — which begin on the fourth floor and range from 650-square-foot studios to nearly 3,200-square-foot penthouses — no two are exactly alike. “We curated multiple color palettes and combinations across the interior finishes,” Ponce de Leon explains. “Buyers then selected their flooring, tile, paint colors, kitchen cabinetry and so forth.” All materials were sustainable, including the FSC-certified bamboo flooring and semi-recycled tiles. Though in-unit finishes vary, each residence has lofty interiors with open-concept floorplans, 11-foot ceilings and large windows. “Because of the building’s elongated shape, you’re always close to the exterior and the spaces fill with a lot of natural light,” Ponce de Leon adds. Two-story duplexes and three-story triplexes are situated toward the end of the top 6 floors, while penthouses occupy the 14th floor. Units facing Boston have floor-to-ceiling windows, offering panoramic views and aesthetically mirroring the city’s modern skyscrapers. “Those facing residential streets have tall vertical windows which allow for more privacy in that relatively urban context,” Ponce de Leon says.
An outdoor pool, on-site parking and media room
Macallen residents share amenities, as well as management services and HOA, with Court Square Press, a 132-unit condominium just north. The 3,000-square-foot gym is located next door, across a shared driveway. Most amenities, however, are located in the Macallen building. A 24-hour concierge attends the industrial, brutalist-style lobby, where residents can exclusively access a private, tree-lined dog run. Besides the lobby and three ground-level retail spaces — including a yoga studio and dental clinic — Macallen’s first three levels are part of an open-air parking garage. Most condos come with a parking space, and residents may pay a small fee to have a charger routed to their space for electric vehicles. An 18,000-square-foot plaza sits atop the garage on the fourth floor. Here, residents can swim in a heated lap pool, a rare and welcome feature for urban condominiums. Winding paths connect several grilling stations, which feel secluded from one another thanks to mounds of native, wispy grasses across the deck. Residents may also reserve a media room for events.
Access to transit, shopping, dining and culture nearby
Right at the cusp of South Boston and Seaport neighborhoods, the area offers numerous urban perks. Within one block, commuters can catch the Red Line at Broadway station, and drivers can reach multiple highways. Boston Logan International Airport is roughly 4.5 miles away. Along Broadway, several Irish pubs and Italian eateries have cropped up in recent years, while Seaport offers a mix of trendy eateries, design-forward cocktail bars and established seafood restaurants. Just across the highways, SoWa Art + Design District has a robust directory of chic galleries and boutiques.
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Area Factors
Low Crime
Crime Score®
4/ 10
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
76/ 100
Walker's Paradise
Walk Score®
93/ 100
Excellent Transit
Transit Score®
86/ 100
Sources: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Walk Score
Sources: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Walk Score
WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com, Powered by CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks. Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Environmental risk data is provided by First Street Foundation® and is designed to approximate risk and not intended to include all possible scenarios.
Parks in this Area
A Street Park
6 min walk
Playground
Underground Ink Block
6 min walk
The Underground Dog Park
9 min walk
Sweeney Playground
10 min walk
Buckley Playground
11 min walk
Peters Park
12 min walk
One Greenway Park
14 min walk
Picnic Area
Multi-Purpose Field
Ringgold Park
3 min drive
Reggie Wong Memorial Park
3 min drive
Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
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