Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/555971
photography Courtesy of studio Luz "we didn't understand how great the location is. bay village is a hidden gem." —iris sokol smaller properties with loads of charm. Iris launched her corporate fitness company in the 1980s, with Ken joining as CEO in 20 02, and sold it in 2010. They had been poking around the downtown condo market for years before getting serious in 2014, selling their house of 30 years in Sherborn for more than $1 million. While Ken was okay with some of the high-rise units they saw, Ir is felt t hat t he towers were too much in t he t hick of things, with too much street noise. The couple kept looking a nd, w it h t he help of rea l est ate agent Neda Va nder Stoep (coldwell banker residential, 137 newbury st., 617-413-0888; nedavanderstoep.com), discovered what they believe is the per- fect f it: a t wo -bedroom, t wo -bat h condo in Piedmont Pa rk Square, a new boutique building in Bay Village. Right off the bat, the neighborhood was a big draw, an oasis apa r t from t he hust le a nd bust le of t he rest of t he cit y. The Sokols settled on a 1,340 -square-foot f lat and are now pre- paring to move in. (The eight-unit building features a mix of single-f loor and rowhouse-style condos, ranging in price from $1.2 million to nearly $2.8 million.) "We didn't understand how great the location is," says Iris. "Bay Village is a hidden gem." But the Sokols were also taken by the design of the Piedmont's condos; theirs is a through- unit extending clear across the building, with windows on both ends. While they anticipate that their biggest adjustment will be the reduced living space, the couple expects that the condo's design and layout will ease the transition—especially the large living and dining area. Fortunately, it's big enough to fit their 73 -inch-long dining room table, essential for the ma ny fa m i ly members a nd f r iends t hey enter t a i n for t he holidays, Iris says. "We came from a house that was 4,000 square feet, and now we're going to under 1,400," she adds. "I think we'll be fine." 17 Piedmont st., 857-362-1777; piedmontparksquare.com BC top and below: Living rooms in two different apartments at Piedmont Park Square, which offers a peaceful alternative to the bustling downtown scene. ibutler High-tech amenities for savvy empty nesters who love their smartphones. Big condo towers are not for everyone. Some empty nesters prefer boutique projects away from the hustle and bustle of downtown. And while smaller condo buildings may not have large staffs, some stand out for their innovative use of technology. A new luxe boutique condo building planned for 10 Farnsworth in Fort Point Channel will feature smart-home technology, allowing residents to remotely control a range of functions, from temperature to music. To guard access, the building will also employ facial and thumbprint recognition. Located in the quiet alcove of Bay Village, the eight-unit Piedmont Park Square doesn't have a 24-hour concierge, but it's wired with the electronic equivalent. Expecting a UPS delivery while you're at work? Just hop on your mobile phone, access the front door and lobby camera with a handy app, and buzz in the deliveryman. If you're fnicky about the temperature, Nest thermostats make it possible to set different temperatures for different rooms from your smartphone. Even the underground parking garage has a high-tech twist: Cars are parked on a turntable, and with the press of a button, your car spins around to where you're standing. 116 bostoncommon-magazine.com Haute property