Pictured is one of three new buildings at The Residences at Chestnut Hill in Newton. The soon-to-be completed facility will contain 22 condominium units.
As the summer approaches and the days grow hotter, The Residences at Chestnut Hill in Newton is nearing completion and the community is slowly warming to its presence. From the beginning of the permitting and planning process nearly five years ago, the development has had to work with its neighbors to ensure a successful symbiotic relationship. Now almost near full occupancy, The Residences at Chestnut Hill have taken necessary steps to not have the neighborhood be not just a part of their name, but a part of their community.
The development is near to completion with 58 total units comprised of 17 townhouses and 41 condominiums divided between two buildings. Originally, however, the site was undeveloped land and throughout the building process the town of Newton was involved in a variety of ways to ensure that the project was developed properly.
“Obviously there were a lot of neighborhood concerns,” said Joseph Walsh of O’Sullivan Architects in Lynnfield, who was involved with the project.
The first issue debated by neighbors was whether the development should exist at all, which made the permitting process a bit difficult.
“With any real estate developer, obtaining permits to do what you want is always a big challenge,” said Fran DeCoste, chief executive of Bradford Development Corp. of Chestnut Hill, the project developer. “It wasn’t really a problem, just a very long process.”
Once permission to move forward was granted, other considerations kicked in. The six-and-a-half acre site that abuts Route 9 was originally undeveloped except for an abandoned gas station. The structure had been closed for almost 10 years due oil leakage, not surprising since it was the oldest gas station on Route 9 between Boston and Framingham, according to Walsh.
The oil leakage had contaminated the on-site wetlands. The property “was a dump from the gas station. There were old tires and contaminants everywhere,” said DeCoste.
The town of Newton also considered the gas station to be a building of historical significance and therefore did not want it demolished. In a series of meetings with Newton’s board of aldermen and the historic board, it was decided that the structure could stay after a few renovations. Instead of pumping gas, residents can now pump iron – the building has become a health club.
Another neighborhood caveat was an existing 30-foot height restriction on new construction.
“It was a challenge to get three stories into that [height limit],” said Walsh. “We used an innovative structural system – basically it’s a special type of steel beam used in addition to traditional concrete flooring.”
Room With a View
The effort to fuse with the Newton neighborhood has been rewarded with almost full occupancy levels. Out of 58 total units, only eight are left for sale in the new building.
“When we first opened we sold 15 right away, but then in the middle of construction, [the terrorist attacks of] Sept. 11 happened and killed sales for a while, though it eventually picked up,” said DeCoste.
The townhouses offer a more upscale option. There are two floor plans, one about 3,400 square feet and the larger around 3,600 square feet. They each feature two full bedrooms and a den that can be used for sleeping.
There are eight different condominium unit types between the two buildings, ranging from 1,700 square feet up to 3,100 square feet. Some of the smallest units are up for sale for around $699,000 with the largest, a three-bedroom, three-bath unit with numerous skylights and balconies on the market for $1.5 million.
The view of residents from the balconies was a major consideration of the developers, who purchased several nearby run-down homes, refurbished them and converted them into two townhouses and six apartments, as well as creating new landscaping.
“They were a real eyesore,” said DeCoste, but now the eight abutting units will soon not only be nice to look at, but nice to live in.
Many of the new occupants of The Residences at Chestnut Hill own other home elsewhere.
“The majority of our buyers have second homes. This is their home base, but they’re not here all the time,” said DeCoste.
Because a large number of their inhabitants are owners of multiple properties and will likely be taking long vacations, The Residences at Chestnut Hill offers a concierge service as well as a large amount of security, including surveillance cameras.
Even thought some residents make the community their second home, it seems that after the entire process Newton is happy that the development has settled into the neighborhood.
“I think there were some people who were worried about it in the beginning,” said Walsh. “But we’ve only had positive feedback and positive comments.”
