Photo via Zumper

Apartment hunting in Boston is overwhelming for a whole slew of reasons—heavy competition, pricing, and spiraling out of control on Craigslist are just a few of them. While it may feel strange to look ahead to renting new digs right now, for many living in Boston, the search must go on. So, for your convenience, we’re highlighting a few Zumper listings with one unique characteristic. This round, it’s places that are priced below the median rent price for that type of apartment. Peruse snapshots below, contact the broker for more information, and opt for virtual video tours when possible—social distancing and poking around strangers’ apartments don’t exactly go hand in hand.

Below, peruse five apartments in Boston with rent below the median price.

146 Coolidge St. #1, Brookline
Bedrooms: 1
Bathrooms: 1
Rent: $1,900 per month

Just off of Harvard Street, this one-bedroom unit claims a spot on a lovely, residential street outside of Coolidge Corner and is a considerable $400 cheaper than the one-bedroom median of $2,300. Sunshine spills through bay windows into the spacious living room, and hardwood floors run into the bedroom, partitioned off by French doors. If storage space is what you’re after, you’ll find plenty of it in the sizable closets and the kitchen’s walk-in pantry.

124 West 9th St. #2T, South Boston
Bedrooms: 1
Bathrooms: 1
Rent: $2,050 per month

Quartz counters and a herringbone backsplash spruce up this unit’s bright, grayscale eat-in. On top of the sleek kitchen, the entire apartment benefits from central air conditioning, tall ceilings, and an address minutes from the Andrew T stop. Plus, the apartment comes equipped with a personal washer and dryer, so you can put your quarters to better use.

14 Conway St. #14, Roslindale
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2
Rent: $2,400 per month

Working from home in a Boston apartment more often than not can mean sitting on your bed with a laptop and a strategically placed bookshelf to serve as a Zoom background. If you’re looking for a little more room, though, check out this noticeably spacious 2-bedroom pad near Roslindale Village. Not only does it boast a huge kitchen with a granite breakfast bar, an open dining room, and a sun-filled living room, but several places to set up your work station throughout the week: a spacious foyer with plenty of room for a desk or two, a sun room, and a dedicated office.

2 Humboldt Ave, #3, Roxbury
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 3
Rent: $3,500 per month

Glossy hardwood, subway tiling, and brick accent walls? These cat-friendly Roxbury digs are unmistakably trendy. But here, style comes at a pretty reasonable cost: The total rent is $275 below the citywide median for a four-bedroom apartment ($3,775) and if four roommates split rent evenly, it comes out to $875 per month.

1160 Commonwealth Ave. #30, Brookline
Bedrooms: Studio
Bathrooms: 1
Rent: $1,575 per month

Right by Packard’s Corner, this sunny studio proves that small spaces can still have a sense of separation. A narrow galley kitchen and recently renovated bathroom are down the hall from the main living area, which could be split up in a variety of ways. Push your bed into the semicircular zone gloriously surrounded by windows, assign your dressers to the squared-off edges of the room, and place your desk in the separate nook—or, convert it into a sunlit walk-in closet.

Note: Although Zumper’s apartment inventory is updated in real time, these listings are not guaranteed to be available. Check in with a listing’s leasing office to confirm availability and to schedule tours.

The post Boston Apartments for Rent | Boston Magazine appeared first on Boston Magazine.

Photos by Justin Anfuso of Anfuso imaging

14 Ash St., #14, Cambridge
Monthly Rent: $14,000
Size: 3,475 square feet
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 3 full, 1 partial

Is living in a poet’s house your dream? Then this rental may make you beam. If you’re looking for a temporary home in Cambridge, the former digs of T.S. Eliot are now available for rent right in the heart of Harvard Square. According to a plaque out front, the famed poet allegedly lived in this attached single family back during his days teaching at Harvard, spending late nights scribbling verses in the attic. Now it’s available for a six-to-nine month stay beginning in November for any aspiring member of the literary elite.

Listing agent Victoria Kennedy said the property is also perfect for anyone looking to try out life in Cambridge, whether they’re already from the area or coming here for work, describing the space as the “quintessential Harvard Square/Cambridge experience.”

“It’s a warm, sunny house on one of those magical streets of Cambridge,” she says. “You walk out the door and you’re in Harvard Square.”

The $14,000/month house comes with four bedrooms, three-and-a-half bathrooms, three off-street parking spaces, and all furniture and utilities included, making it the perfect spot for a short-term stay, Kennedy says. And while it’s only a few steps from Harvard Square and close to the Charles River, a private backyard and patio provides a quiet escape for any new resident looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

The new renters can access the tree-filled backyard from the breakfast nook off the cook’s kitchen, providing easy flow from the morning coffee spot to a quiet outdoor space to enjoy your cup. There’s also a formal dining room for fancier occasions (perhaps a literary salon?) and a spacious living room. Upstairs, there’s a primary bedroom suite filled with sunlight and ample closet space. An attached bathroom has an oversize jetted bathtub where you can relax after a long day of drafting your latest literary masterpiece. You’ll be writing your own love song for this house in no time.

For more information, contact Gail Roberts and Victoria Kennedy, Coldwell Banker Realty, coldwellbankerhomes.com.

Photos by Justin Anfuso of Anfuso imaging

Photos by Justin Anfuso of Anfuso imaging

Photos by Justin Anfuso of Anfuso imaging

Photos by Justin Anfuso of Anfuso imaging

Photos by Justin Anfuso of Anfuso imaging

Photos by Justin Anfuso of Anfuso imaging

Photos by Justin Anfuso of Anfuso imaging

Photos by Justin Anfuso of Anfuso imaging

close-up of a rental sign in front an apartment building / Photo via Getty Images/ Blacqbook

Boston’s unaffordable housing costs are no secret. It’s bad enough out there for people with high-paying salaries, nevermind those making an hourly wage. But Massachusetts’ new $15 minimum wage kicked into effect on Jan. 1, 2023, making it one of the highest-paying states in the nation. Can such an increase combat the affordability crisis in Boston?

The situation remains bleak, according to numbers crunched by Boston. Zumper reports that as of February 2023, the median one-bedroom price is $3,040. Someone working for $15 an hour, 40 hours a week, four weeks a month, would be bringing in about $2,400 a month pre-tax, falling about $600 short of what they’d need to just make rent. Even if two minimum-wage workers split a one-bedroom, they’d be putting 63 percent of their income towards an average-priced apartment and would be considered housing burdened (meaning they spend over 30 percent of their income on housing costs). In fact, even someone working three minimum wage jobs (somehow, some way) would still be considered housing-burdened trying to pay these rates.

Now many of us in Greater Boston know that, considering the prices here, living alone is a luxury, not a given. Instead, most renters opt to get roommates. But when you have more people, you need more space—unless you’re willing to share a bedroom—and more space equals more money. Zumper reports that the median rent for a two-bedroom in Boston is $3,430. Splitting that 50/50 would mean each tenant would pay $1,715 a month—so someone making minimum wage and working full time could likely cover the base cost. But still, the bulk of their paycheck would be going towards rent.

The situation does improve slightly as you increase the number of roommates: Zumper also collects weekly data looking at rent prices, which shows that in Boston, the median three-bedroom rent is $3,750 a month and a four-bedroom typically goes for $4,800. Splitting rent evenly among three and four roommates, respectively, would mean each roommate would be paying $1,250 a month, more than 50 percent of what a minimum-wage worker makes in a month.

Looking outside Boston proper may help, but only slightly. Cambridge, Zumper reports, is actually more expensive than Boston with one-bedrooms going for $3,110 a month. Newton, Brookline, Somerville, and Medford are slightly cheaper, but the median one-bedroom price is over $2,500. Even Waltham’s units go for $2,610 on average.

Yet, despite this grim reality, the minimum wage here (and its recent bump) no doubt helps workers, even in a city that’s considered one of the most expensive in the country. A recent study by Zillow found it takes 3.8 full-time, minimum wage salaries to afford a two-bedroom rental nationally, since the national minimum wage is only $7.25. Residents of states with lower minimum wages fare far worse, even in more affordable cities. Like in Austin, where rents are generally lower than Boston, five full-time minimum-wage salaries would be needed to afford one two-bedroom apartment.

Meanwhile, according to Zillow’s national analysis, Boston is the 24th least affordable city for minimum-wage workers, making it more affordable than cities like El Paso and Omaha—places with lower costs of living that adhere to the national minimum wage. So while it could be infinitely better, for once we are able to look at our rental situation and think, “Maybe it could be worse.”

Image Courtesy of Samuels & Associates

Home should be more than more just a place to rest your head, but a place to find your community. Dot Block makes that easy. A new arrival to Dorchester, the 245-unit apartment building that plans to open in June. It will infuse much needed rental housing into the neighborhood as well as retail and green space that’ll serve the local community.

The residential portion of Dot Block offers a mix of market-rate and affordable housing with studio to three-bedroom floor plans available. But beyond this, residents will also have access to a fitness space, tenant lounge, a “groom room” for furry friends, and bright and airy workspaces for remote employees to have a place to buckle down outside their home office. The building also boasts a residents-only pool deck with outdoor dining facilities.

The units themselves will come with stainless steel kitchen appliances spread out among quartz countertops. Other conveniences include spacious closets and in-unit laundry—which anyone who’s ever rented in Boston knows can be a rarity.

But the biggest amenity to the project is its location—and the surrounding neighborhood, according to Jeremy Ouellette, vice president of portfolio operation for Samuels & Associates, the developer behind the project. “It’s in a vibrant intersection of Dorchester,” Ouellette says. “It’s creating an atmosphere of culturally diverse energy: Dot Block is really embracing connectivity within the [area] in that it’s pulling multiple neighborhoods together.”

The contemporary building is located in Glover’s Corner, on the corner of Dorchester Avenue and Pleasant Street, but it’s also close to Savin Hill, Meeting House Hill, Jones Hill, and Field’s Corner. More than just a building, it aims to unite the adjacent neighborhoods by introducing more than an acre of green park space to the local communities—public areas where both residents and visitors can sit, walk, and take in the landscaping. Dot Block is also close to the Savin Hill stop on the Red Line, the comings and goings of which residents can track through real-time boards in the building lobby.

“The walkability of it is great,” Ouellette adds. “Savin Hill is a half mile down the street. The established local neighborhood restaurants [create] a drive to live there. You’re close to 93 as well, so it’s very convenient.”

Dot Block will also have 7,000 square feet of retail space, including a ground-floor restaurant, though what businesses will inhabit this real estate are to be determined, Ouellette says.

For more information, visit dotblockdorchester.com.   

Image by John Davenport

Image by John Davenport

Image by John Davenport

Image by John Davenport

Image by John Davenport

Image Courtesy of Samuels & Associates

Image Courtesy of Samuels & Associates

Image Courtesy of Samuels & Associates

Images by ATCHAIN

When the first train on the Green Line extension rolled up to Union Square last year, it opened both its doors to passengers—and a new world of possibility to developers. The Somerville neighborhood, previously unserved by the city’s questionable yet convenient subway system, was now accessible through one of the most prominent MBTA lines, making living there a whole lot more attainable.

So naturally, one of the first new buildings to open since the extension is drawing in people who want access to Union Square’s dining and the ease of commuting on the Green Line. Prospect Union Square, located at 20-50 Prospect Street, is expected to open in July, just steps away from the MBTA’s buzziest new station. Over 43 percent of the available units have been leased so far, according to a spokesperson for the project.

“The timing of the Green Line Extension…has been a huge plus for incoming residents,” says building manager Ryan Gaffney. “People are definitely utilizing the Green Line and are so excited. It’s been a strong mix of people living local to Union Square or coming from out of state or around the city.”

Aside from leading the way for the other planned retail, lab, and residential spaces for the area, the Höweler + Yoon-designed building is 25-stories tall, allowing for 360 views many of Somerville’s triple deckers don’t offer. And with LEED gold certification, it’s expected to meet its own energy needs through renewable sources for at least a decade.

The project run by US2—a joint venture between Magellan Development, RAS Development LLC, Cypress Equity Investments, and Affinius Capital—will offer 450 units, including 155 studios, 184 one-bedrooms, 96 two-bedrooms, and 15-three bedrooms. Rents for studios start at $2,460 per month. The company says 75 percent of the units will be available upon the initial opening while the final 25 percent of units will become ready in the next eight months after opening. Ninety of these units will be affordable. The occupants will be treated to keyless entry, floor-to-ceiling windows, walk-in showers, tile backsplash, and the ever enviable in-unit washer/dryer.

And it’s not just the Green Line access pulling people in: The building also has desirable amenities like an indoor dog run so your pup can get a workout even on bad-weather days. “One of the biggest things is the indoor dog run and wash,” Gaffney says. “A lot of residents will be coming with pets.”

In addition to catering to pet owners, the building is also looking to accommodate the post-pandemic work-hybrid lifestyle where many are working from home, at least part-time, with private work rooms for residents within a general business lounge. When you’re finished with your work day, you can take the time you’d normally spend commuting and use it in the building’s gym which comes with spin bikes, private training rooms, and a yoga studio.

Recognizing the fact that some people might want more room for entertaining rather than their apartment might have, the building also offers common lounging space. There’s the pool with a terrace filled with comfortable seating, two lounge areas with firepits/places (one indoors and one outdoors), a community dining space, and billiards and game tables.

More than amenities, the building also offers luxury services in the form of a 24/7 concierge. “That’s really important to us so residents working at night have ability to see someone or get question answered,” says Gaffney. And despite being right on top of the Green Line, the building also offers parking. But we have a feeling residents will opt to enjoy the brand spanking new trains, clearly the biggest benefit of moving to this building and neighborhood.

Images by ATCHAIN

Images by ATCHAIN

Images by ATCHAIN

Images by ATCHAIN

Renderings courtesy of Samuels & Associates

When it comes to housing, Southie tends to be known for its multifamily properties that attract families or single 20-somethings who don’t mind living in homes without many amenities. But for those who prefer more luxuries from their residence, there’s a new apartment building coming to Washington Village with a slew of offerings that allow space to live, work, and relax without leaving your home.

South Standard—a collaboration between Samuels & Associates, Intercontinental Real Estate Corporation, and Core Investments—opened a temporary leasing office in South Boston last month. The seven-story, 214-unit project building will include floor plans that range from studios to three-bedrooms. Rents start at $2,780 for a studio and go up to $6,200 for a three-bedroom.

Jeremy Ouellette, vice president of portfolio operations for Samuels & Associates, said hard-hat tours are underway for the building, drawing in interest from young professionals, as well as small families and retirees looking for a smaller residence. Move-ins are on track to begin this fall.

“We have not captured a lease just yet, but we are in active communication with customers,” Ouelette said. “The interest is strong. There’s such a need for housing here…and we’re a nice addition to the neighborhood.”

Renderings courtesy of Samuels & Associates

While there are other new buildings coming to Southie, representatives for South Standard say none will have as many amenities. South Standard residents will be treated to a community roof deck with a fireplace, lounge seating, and views of the Boston skyline—all within walking distance from the Andrew MBTA Red Line and bus stop. While the building is close to public transit, there’s also options for car owners, thanks to the on-site parking.

Adding to the full slate of amenities at South Standard are bike storage, a ground-floor groom room for pets and a fitness center with a yoga room on the second floor. Outside, residents can enjoy a terrace with grills, fire pits, green spaces, and dining areas.

Ouellette said that in light of recent work-from-home trends, the building will also include a coworking element on the second floor. “With the amenities side we always look at what our customer base would want,” he said, adding that many potential tenants are also looking for social elements within their buildings. “Within our common area spaces, they’re very activated. We have gas grills, fire pits, and open areas for lawn games on the second floor—really allowing for residents to come together…(It) is so important to create that community and watch that community be built.”

Renderings courtesy of Samuels & Associates

The units come with washers and driers, stainless steel appliances, and quartz countertops. Those willing to shell out extra can get a unit with walk-in closets, a private terrace, and a den which can serve as a home office.

In addition to preparing the residences, developers are also looking for stores to fill the 20,000 square feet of retail space that’s on the ground floor of the building. They’ll also be opening up a 17,0000- square-foot park adjacent to the building, with open space that can be enjoyed by humans and dogs alike. This, plus the retail space, will help integrate the new building into the community as a whole.

“We’re being very thoughtful with how we’re creating that atmosphere for retail,” Ouellette said. “But then the park element, which is adjacent to the project as well—that is really going to be a center of this Washington Village. [We’re] creating a very lively environment that really is going to feel high energy.”

Renderings courtesy of Samuels & Associates

Photos courtesy of Greystar

As Boston rents creep up, people are increasingly looking outside Boston’s city limits for a home that’s affordable without being totally rundown (as is the case with so many local apartments). Developers are taking notice of this trend and rising to the occasion. Case in point: Greystar Real Estate Partners, LLC is in the process of launching three new developments in Everett. aimed at targeting renters who want proximity to the city and to live in a new building but are sick of paying typical Boston rents.

The company’s plan is to open five buildings across three separate developments within the next three to four years said Gary Kerr, managing director of development at Greystar Development Services in the Northeast, including a mix of residential units and retail space. Greystar will also enhance the surrounding streetscapes with new outdoor spaces and walking paths that’ll be accessible to the public.

This $730 million investment will create 1,900 new units of housing across the five buildings offering high-end amenities such as co-working spaces, areas for dogs, and outdoor living space. “We’re building an entire neighborhood here,” Kerr said. “A neighborhood next to a major job hub is incredibly attractive. It’s a great living opportunity and great investment opportunity.”

Greystar’s presence in Everett’s Commercial Triangle—110 acres located between the Revere Beach Parkway, the commuter rail, and the Chelsea city line—began with Mason, a freshly constructed 330-unit building that opened to residents last month. The building also hases 5,000 square feet of retail space on the ground floor in the structure designed by CBT Architects. With roughly 18 percent of Mason occupied, Kerr said the company is already seeing a lot of interest and predicted the building will be fully occupied within the next nine to 12 months. “We’re leasing 15 to 20 units a week,” he added earlier in July. “We’re running out of leasing professionals to take meetings. We’re really, really happy with the level of interest. The product is reverberating with the market.” with the level of interest. The product is reverberating with the market.”

Kerr said he identified the site for the project nearly four years ago, choosing it for its proximity to Boston and the surrounding area via the commuter rail and Silver Line. Mason is also a short walk away from the Chelsea MBTA stop, which provides access to both North and South stations via the commuter rail and Silver Line. “The adjacency it provides was the initial thing that attracted us,” Kerr said. The building will also offer 440 parking spaces for tenants with cars.

The project comes at a time when rents (and housing prices) are at an all-time high in Boston and the surrounding areas. The median monthly rent for a one-bedroom in the city was $2,750 in June, according to Zumper. By comparison, the median rent for a one-bedroom in Everett was $2,260, a number that also represents the state median.

While Greystar’s new development’s rents run close to Boston’s average, residents will be getting more bang for their buck, as Mason offers amenities that are harder to find in Boston’s older rental stock, said Kerr. Mason will offer a fitness center with a yoga studio, an outdoor courtyard pool with cabana seating, outdoor grills and fire pits, co-working spaces, and a dog park/spa. There’s also a shared maker space with high-top tables, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a sink where artists can come in to work on their crafts. “The key thing [about] amenities, is providing the amount tenants are expecting in a new building and going from there,” said Jacob Stark, senior associate, development at Greystar.

In addition to physical amenities, there’s building-wide WiFi and concierge services, including package storage and valet dry cleaning. The units themselves, ranging from studios to two-bedrooms, will have a mix of wide-plank flooring and carpeting, oversized windows, spacious closets, quartz countertops, and stainless GE appliances. The building will also offer programs that foster social interaction so residents can get to know one another. “We try to create a different experience for our tenants,” Kerr said. “People are crying out for community. Having people move in…who want to meet neighbors, meet friends, we’re going to support them.”

Photos courtesy of Greystar

Photos courtesy of Greystar

Photos courtesy of Greystar

Photos courtesy of Greystar

Photos courtesy of Greystar

Photos courtesy of Greystar

Photos courtesy of Greystar

Photos courtesy of Greystar

The median price for a one-bedroom apartment in Boston skyrocketed this year, regaining for the losses experienced during 2020./Chart via Zumper/https://www.zumper.com/apartments-for-rent/boston-ma

We’ve hit everyone’s favorite time of year, where we get recaps and round-ups that look back at what we listened to, what we read, and how much rent in Boston (already one of the priciest cities in the country) went up. No? Looking at rent increase isn’t your favorite roundup? Think of it like your Spotify wrapped, but not fun or surprising, especially if you’re a renter or trying to rent. Because the harsh reality is after a year of downturn (perhaps one of the only silver linings of this ongoing COVID nightmare we live in), Boston rent is back on the rise.

We kicked off the year with the aftermath of 2020’s city exodus still lingering. According to Zumper, Boston entered 2021 with the median price of a one-bedroom apartment being $2,020 and $2,500 for a two-bedroom. Great for apartment hunters, but not so great for property owners, who’d seen a nearly 20 percent dip in rent for one-bedrooms and a 14 percent dip for two-bedrooms over the course of the last year as renters fled the city. And it wasn’t just Boston: Jeff Andrews, a data journalist with Zumper and author of their National Rent Report, says rent prices had been in a “free fall” since March 2020, especially in east coast cities.

“It was just a case of people who had the means to move, or lost their job and had to leave, or their company went work-from-home, so they decided to move in with their parents,” he says. “It led to a small exodus.”

Then in February of this year, the first tremors of change were detected, and median rent in Boston went up from $2,020 to $2,050. As more people rolled up their sleeves to get their COVID vaccines, rent prices went up as well, as we entered into our “new normal” (those were the days). Landlords, who’d been offering incentives like a month of free rent or a complimentary window unit, started to jack up their prices. After a slight dip in November, Bostonians saw a high in rent prices in December, with Zumper reporting that the median monthly rent of a one-bedroom and two-bedroom were $2,590 and $3,000, respectively.

“Once July hit, a lot of incentives started dropping off, because things were back to normal,” says Ryan McCormick, rental/property manager with Metro Realty Corp. “After September, there was a lack of inventory. Prices have increased to what they were pre-COVID and even higher. It was a good time to be a renter in 2020, (but) now I think we’re back to normal.”

Normal now means going back to no rental inventory and lots of apartment hunters, with some units getting up to 40 applicants, McCormick says. In other words, looking for an apartment can be just as competitive as finding a house. Fun! As for what will happen heading into 2022, it depends on who you ask. Despite a new wave of COVID cases thanks to the latest variant, McCormick sees Boston rents continuing to rise next year thanks to sparse inventory and high renter demand, a trend that’s been happening since way before COVID came around, thanks to the city’s housing shortage. But now people may be in for some sticker shock after grabbing a rent deal in 2020. McCormick predicts landlords, seeing this increase in value, will raise rents even for tenants who may have a cheaper price thanks to pandemic pricing.

“We’re just weathering the storm now with COVID,” McCormick says. “Boston’s a city like no other. With all the schools, it’s always renter-heavy. Unless something drastic hits the U.S., I don’t see it changing. I think it’ll go back to pre-COVID prices.”

Andrews, on the other hand, thinks it’s possible Boston, along with other cities nationwide, will see a smaller version of what happened in 2020 in the new year, as Omnicron makes its presence known by infecting even the vaccinated among us.

“In the last week, we are seeing a massive spike in COVID cases,” he says. “It’s just a wild card…It’s looking like this wave is going to be bad and sustained. In that situation, people are not going to be moving at the clip they were before, so you might see things stagnate because of Omnicron.”

Moving is a drag for a myriad of reasons, one of them being the headache that is establishing yourself in a new place. Spending hours on the phone waiting for someone to come set up your Wi-Fi or finding a new groomer for your dog that’s close to home is usually nothing short of miserable. That’s why many buildings around Boston are trying to offer some of these services in-house, with the latest being 212 Stuart Street in Back Bay.

This new development from real estate giant Greystar, slated to officially open Oct. 20, offers the basics many have come to expect from high-end buildings: 24-hour concierge service, package and newspaper delivery, plus common spaces like the top floor residents’ lounge, a dining and entertainment terrace, a library, and a state-of-the-art yoga and fitness studio. But they’re also trying to go above and beyond to make a tenant’s new home is actually move-in ready.  “Our intent here was to provide effortless living to residents in a place where you can plug in…and be ready to go day one,” says Ryan Souls, director of development with Greystar.

Occupants of the 126-unit, 19-story apartment building will be able to access abundant luxury amenities. They can get their bike repaired, send their pooch to a dog spa and grooming station, and use a fully equipped conference room—all without leaving the building. Plus, a concierge is on staff to coordinate anything they might need, from getting their dry cleaning delivered, renting a bike or scooter, or even helping them figure out where to eat dinner and what to do that night.

But life is still easy for anyone who enjoys doing their own research. Each unit in the building comes with complimentary Wi-Fi access, so residents aren’t battling with a local provider to set up an account. It’s also WiredScore certified with Platinum status—which means it has amazing infrastructure and puts an end to all those pixelated Zoom meetings.

Greystar is also in the works of adding a potential sushi restaurant to the ground floor, rounding out its benefits. “It’s well positioned for a general mix of Back Bay residents,” says Gary Kerr, managing director of development, Northeast, for GreyStar. “You have an international population of people here for work or education (and) people who’ve lived and owned in Back Bay for number of years and are looking for best in caliber experience.”

Images courtesy of Greystar

Located on the border of Back Bay and Bay Village, part of the appeal of this site was its proximity to both areas, says Souls. Once a parking lot, the space now offers new housing in a spot that straddles the line between the bustle of Back Bay and the more residential feel of Bay Village. It also presented a rare chance to bring a new development to Back Bay. “It really was a unique site and really was the intersection of Back Bay and Bay Village,” Kerr says. “That’s what made it a special opportunity. While the site itself was small, we were building a high rise and recognized the opportunity to build something special.”

Souls says the building, designed by Sasaki and Höweler + Yoon, is already open and taking on tenants, but they’re still doing final touch-ups on the place. About 23 percent of the units have been leased so far. 212 Stuart Street starts leasing for $4,000 a month for select studios, while one-to-two bedroom units range from $4,300 to $9,100 a month, depending on size (they range from 500 square feet to 2,100 square feet) and layout. There’s also several two- and three-bedroom penthouses and town home units for anyone looking for a roomier rental.

No matter the size, all units come with high-end features including custom Italian cabinetry, panelized Bosch appliances, smart home technology, Caesarstone quartz countertops, and floor-to-ceiling windows, which show views of the adjacent neighborhood.

Images courtesy of Greystar

Images courtesy of Greystar

Images by LCP Media

The South End has traditionally been a haven for Boston artists, whether it be Wally’s Café jazz musicians or the many creators who peddle their wares at the SoWa markets. And now, a new building opening this fall between Harrison and Albany is playing on these artistic roots. Pre-leasing has begun for The Smith No. 99, a 12-story, 304-unit building of studios, one-bedrooms, two-bedrooms, and three-bedrooms that’ll be priced from $2,975 to $7,100 a month. (There are 30 affordable units among the 304 in the building.)

Like many other new residential buildings opening in Boston, The Smith No. 99 offers a smorgasbord of amenities: A gym, a pet spa, even a two-story roof deck with a swimming pool. But one particular offering stands out: The building’s art collection. Curated by local art consultancy Alchemy Station, the mixed-use apartment complex’s collection will showcase over 100 artworks—including almost 20 custom commissions—throughout the property as a nod to the South End’s art scene.

“The best way to tell the story of The Smith No. 99 was to harness artists as the storyteller,” said Mat Scheller, senior project manager at Leggat McCall Properties, the developer behind the project. “In the most literal sense, a ‘smith’ is someone who is a master of their craft—someone skilled with the ability to turn raw materials into things of beauty. We looked to artists who creatively crafted mind-bending works out of beautiful and tactile materials.”

The in-house collection will include a mix of mediums—from sculptures to mural paintings to interactive works such as a giant pair of stainless-steel eyeglasses. Noted pieces include a three-panel mixed media wall sculpture by Cicely Carew, the Institute of Contemporary Art’s 2023 James and Audrey Foster Prize winner, and a mural by Maine artist Rachel Gloria Adams that celebrates the creative history of the South End.

“The South End has always been brimming with creativity.” Scheller added. “It has been a hub for musicians and artists alike for decades. It was a natural fit to amplify the artists who have lived and worked here.”

While the art alone may seem enough to sway tenants, the CBT Architects-designed building also has a slew of other high-end offerings for residents. For social butterflies, there are places to mingle, including a vinyl records room, co-working space, a two-story roof deck, a community kitchen, and a sunroom. For more privacy, there are conference rooms and private work areas. There’s also a rooftop pool lounge with fire pits and grills. Even four-legged friends are cared for with a pet spa, washing station, and indoor play area.

Images by LCP Media

As a bonus, Smith No. 99 is on track to earn LEED Gold certification and a 2-star Fitwel rating, a system designed to help measure the health and wellness of the building. This means you’ll find green materials and energy efficient design throughout the residences.

The units themselves are open concept spaces with stainless-steel appliances, walk-in closets and ample cabinet space for storage, glass showers, and floor-to-ceiling windows to let in natural light. Some units also come with private balconies. Scheller said so far pre-leasing has brought in a mix of graduate and medical students, young professionals, and older couples looking to downsize, all of whom appreciate the building’s proximity to the shops and restaurants of the South End, as well as its closeness to Boston Medical Center.

The Smith No. 99 is the second phase of a complex which will unite the block. The first phase, The Smith No. 89, opened in 2020. The two buildings bring 604 new units and over 600,000 square-feet of residential and amenity space to the neighborhood.

Images by LCP Media

Images by LCP Media

Images by LCP Media

Images by LCP Media

Images by LCP Media

Images by LCP Media

Images by LCP Media

Images by LCP Media