Tasteful Friends: $30 Mil in Boston (but you're gonna have to redecorate)

[quote] artfully transformed to emulate the ambiance of a stylish boutique hotel.

Right. Because modern boutique hotel goes so well with 19th century architecture. RME.

Beautiful on the outside, made ghastly on the inside.

I think the decor is achieved for the vibe they wanted. Wow, but it's going to be a pain in the ass to strip or repaint all that lacquer. I might have gone for a different lacquer than that blue. Chinese yellow perhaps. Lacquer is very chic but it's a look lost on today's taste and certainly on the hoi polloi.

I cold live in it but would have to be very thin and also be recreationally smoking again to really enjoy the vibe.

Another must would be a spectacular houseboy.

I didn’t see this one yet

My eyes! My eyes!

Interior design by Tom Haverford and Jean-Ralphio Saperstein.

The blue room is technically well done. The black room the lacquer is not successful because they didn't go for a mirror finish. Seeing all the wood grain is a disaster. I wonder if it that choice - seeing the grain -- might work with lacquer in a lighter color. I don't know. I've never seen this choice before. I have a bedroom that has pressed tin walls which I lacquered and it looks great. But the pattern is regular.

It helps when they get every single fucking thing wrong except the exterior.

These three enormous black chandeliers are Vistosi designed by Angelo Mangiarotti. VERY chic.

The caricature prints are by Sebastian Krüger. Not worth much. I like the Johnny Rotten though wouldn't want to live looking at it.

Joan Kennedy lives close by.

Here's an article about the history of house, and ...

They don't show the ten bathrooms. Tossing the furniture and the light fixtures, and painting the walls is the easy part. But if all the bathrooms have to be redone, that's a massive undertaking.

I'm always wary of listings that don't have plenty of photos of the kitchen and bathrooms.

... and here's an article about the venture capitalist, Kevin Starr, who bought the place and did all that crap to it.

From the Wall Street Journal - put through archive to avoid paywall.

Me eyes!!!!

Nothing in Boston is worth 30 million. Nothing.

That said, I actually don't hate the interior. It's 100000% not for me. But it has a point of view. I think they achieve what they're going trying to achieve. A kind of punk rock Versailles. Again, not for me. But I could see someone loving it.

R16 I love your honest Midwestern sensibility.

Gasp!

I simultaneously love and hate everything about it.

What in the Ed Hardey hell is that?

It's an undeniably beautiful house, but it's worth NOWHERE near USD 30 million - especially because it looks like the interiors were decorated by a brothel's madam on acid. I don't think that Boston is a metropolis important enough to merit such insanely high prices, especially if we take into account the fact that everything will have to be redecorated.

I agree with you OP: the decoration alone deserves a 50% reduction in the asking price, at the very least.

DEAR GOD!!! Absolute sacrilege. Whoever did this should be drawn and quartered.

Just don't draw them on the walls.

I bet that wood was beautiful before they painted it!

R24 I found one photo of it on Pinterest when it sold to the venture capitalist for $11.6 million in 2015.

In the article at r14 the decorator says he wanted to give the blue room a 70s coke den vibe. Classy!

I like the blue. It's my favorite color

You forgot to sign your post as Joey Luft, r27.

It's going to cost a fortune to restore all that beautiful wood. Covering it was a crime.

Boston deserves it!

Quote from designer in the WSJ article ....

[quote] "We wanted it to have a real loungy vibe—like a 1970s coke-den vibe," said Roseff.

Well, hello! Welcome to my coke den!

Is this in Greg's neighbourhood?

He lives in the dumbwaiter

Thanks, R17!

Looks like a fucking clown house on the inside. Awful.

For that kind of money, I’ll take Malibu.

G eat space, but I’ve seen mortuaries more cheerfully decorated.

Interesting how it was once used as a dental practice for both the owner and other dentists for about 10 years, then later served as a community college for about three decades.

I'd burn it, call it an art project, and leave the facade.

I’ve always loved those two houses, their limestone facades look great amid all the Boston brick. The interiors are a tragedy, I hope something of the old decor can be salvaged.

More proof that venture capital ruins everything.

I remember living several blocks down from this in the 1990s. The residents at the time used to stage lavish parties and greet guests while dressed in costumes under big canopies out front of that picture’s entrance. One time they were dressed as life-sized chessgame pieces.

Oh wow! I didn't expect the interiors. I love them although it looks like I'm in the minority. They aren't my style but I can appreciate the overall effect and work which has gone into creating each space. Each room has a different story. It would be an amazing place to visit for a party or to stay for a few days. That multi-colored staircase is pretty cool. It sort of reminds me of the Capitol homes of Panem in The Hunger Games. R41 that makes a lot of sense and adds context to the interiors. Must have been fascinating to see them in action and what they would come up with next. Thanks for posting that.

Holy shit I just noticed the price tag of $29,900,000!

$30 mil? Darling, its Boston, you can't be serious!

I give Starr and his asshole decorator props for not scraping the whole place clean of the original detail and shitting can lights over every inch of the ceiling.

But that's a low bar.

The blue lacquer is...interesting. It would perhaps be fun to see if a more thoughtful aesthetic could be developed around the treatment.

Who doesn’t want a skull on the floor of their shower?

The entire time your sitting in that house you're wishing you spent that $30 mil in New York or London.

It's as if Jack Skellington and Pee Wee Herman got married and moved in.

[quote] What in the Ed Hardey hell is that?

Yes! That's what it reminds me of. That era: 2007 or so. Upscale Hot Topic. Von Dutch hats.

The lack of kitchen and bathroom photos is suspect.

The black paint on all the nice mouldings ... horrible.

Good bones, lots of nice built-ins.

Agree that someone had a point of view and stuck with it.

He bought it for $11 million nine years ago. Has Boston real estate nearly tripled in that time, or does he think his desecration of the interior actually added value?

If the goal was too turn it into a "loungey 70s coke den" then they failed. It's way too BRIGHT in that house. I can't imaging relaxing and losing myself in pile of drugs if I was surrounded by all that stark white, black and primary blue. I agree with all the posters who say it's too much money.

The one thing that I like about the house if that colossal multi-person shower with the skull mosaic on the floor.

R51 No. He’s a venture capitalist. He makes his living off the backs of suckers.

$30 million in Boston is absolutely nuts. He can keep dreaming.

The family lives in the suburbs, and the townhouse is his pied-a-terre. Yeah, I’ll bet he’s had some pieds on the terre in there. It looks like the kind of place Melania Trump would like to be taken to by a wealthy venture capitalist.

The lunatic who did that to the interior of that house should be arrested and imprisoned in an insane asylum for the rest of his or her life.

🤣 Thanks for posting this one! Rainbow steps. Skull themes. Queen Elizabeth. Karate-chopped pillows. $29 million. Oh dear.

R21 ' ...a brothel's madam on acid...'

You win this thread!

Who was the decorator, Disney?

R21 We read your post and cut the price in half. You know best.

R11 . . .

It looks like it's been decorated by the villains in A Clockwork Orange.

It does has a Madame Gin Sling for the 21st Century vibe.

This place.

These two buildings have been in play since I first came to B.U.. The building next door is its' not identical twin. This building is the lesser of the two.

The address is 2 blocks from me and although it's on the "sunny side" of Commonwealth it is sadly a "high number" for that kind of price. Lower address numbers are closer to the Public Garden and more valuable.

The place has been empty for years. The owners were trying to connect the two buildings but Boston said no.

I've been to parties there. It felt like a scaled down Algonquin Club. I mostly remember it as being a sketchy college/dorm though.

From what I've heard it's too small to be a viable hotel and too big to be a workable single family. And our neighborhood Association will never let them cut it up. The Back Bay is full of lawyers with money who are constantly monitoring everything.

Good luck with the 30 million.

[quote] Is this in Greg's neighbourhood?

Yes, this is in my neighborhood. I walk past this house all the time and live on the same block.

128 and 130 Commonwealth Ave are iconic Back Bay single family homes. They don’t fit in. They’re not brick, they’re not brownstone. They’re not mid/late 19th century revivals or Victorian. They’re Beaux-arts styled white limestone.

Friends of mine live at 128 Commonwealth. They purchased the property from the well-known auto dealer Herb Chambers and spent the next eighteen months restoring the house and it’s gorgeous.

The interior of 128 is very tasteful and appropriate—very unlike 130 Commonwealth.

[quote] The address is 2 blocks from me and although it's on the "sunny side" of Commonwealth it is sadly a "high number" for that kind of price.

It is not on the sunny side of the street.

The sunny side is the odd numbered side.

[quote] From what I've heard it's too small to be a viable hotel and too big to be a workable single family.

It is big, but it is not too big to be a family home.

As I said above, I have friends who own and reside at 128 Commonwealth and there are two adults and four children.

I also have friends who live at 5 Commonwealth, which is much more grand and is very large.

Houses like this might seem too large to be a family home, but there are a number of places like this in Back Bay.

Here’s another article about 5 Commonwealth.

I have acquaintances who lived here. This was, nine years ago, the most expensive home for sale in Boston:.

They always had the best Halloween parties.

They're dead Greg. So are those awful rat terriers.

[quote] They're dead Greg. So are those awful rat terriers.

I beg your pardon?

R16- I agree.

That is an absurd price for ANYTHING in Boston.

It it was in NYC-Manhattan upper east side that would be understandable and justified.

A psycho troll just posted R65-R69.

R33 "Born and raised in Los Angeles"

OK now it makes sense.

The Beaux-Arts façade isn't original; it replaced a brownstone façade in the early 1900s.

R73 He can only talk about himself. I used to think it was funny/sad.

[quote] [R73] He can only talk about himself. I used to think it was funny/sad.

And now what do you think, R76?

[quote] A psycho troll just posted [R65]-[R69].

And?

As a born and bred Bostonian, my one question was "Who owns that fucking abomination?"

The internet, ever-ready with all the answers for modern living spat out: In a piece for The Wall Street Journal, reporter E.B. Solomont wrote that the “skull-laden” mansion is owned by venture-capital investor Kevin Starr, who has put it up for sale after having moved to the suburbs with his wife, Nichole Starr, and their family.

Burn in Hell, Kevin Starr. God only knows what you're doing to some perfectly respectable colonial house in the burbs.

I wish you could all see the interiors of 128 Commonwealth.

They’re beautiful.

i thought what happened in Vegas stayed in Vegas?

R81 ignore the haters Greg.

I have only been to Boston once, and I spent some time checking out the Back Bay area, it really is very beautiful and must be a fantastic place to live. The people who attack you are jealous, they are probably scraping along by the bones of their ass and hate anybody who isn’t doing the same.

R81

The woodwork in the room is crafted from rich, dark prune wood, adding a sense of depth and richness to the overall design. The furniture, from the chairs to the tables, is all made from the same luscious prune wood, creating a cohesive and luxurious feel.

The walls are adorned with prune sconces, providing warm and ambient lighting that casts a soft glow over the room. These sconces are intricately designed to resemble clusters of prunes, adding to the overall theme of the space.

The interior of the space is adorned with intricate prune sculptures, meticulously carved to portray various shapes and forms. These sculptures are strategically placed throughout the room, adding a touch of whimsy and elegance to the ambiance.

The prune-themed interior is a true feast for the senses, creating a unique and visually stunning environment for all who enter.

Here is a listing of the house and original interiors before it was sold to the punk rocker.

R84, do you work at being a buffoon?

Thanks, R83.

Back Bay is a wonderful place to live and I am thankful and try to keep in mind how fortunate I am.

And I agree with your assessment of those who malign me. They wear their jealousy like a badge of honor.

[quote] The address is 2 blocks from me and although it's on the "sunny side" of Commonwealth it is sadly a "high number" for that kind of price.

How does R64, an “actual Back Bay resident” not know which side of Commonwealth Ave is the sunny side?

Here’s a clue:

The sunny side is the odd-numbered side and is lined with magnolia trees.

The shady side is the even-numbered side and is lined with dogwood trees.

Now, where do you live, R64?

The stairs are blue and orange colors, colors of new york! I dig!

Thanks for answering Greg. Looks like a beautiful neighbourhood. Hope you and the cats are well!

R67 R68 R69 R81

The inability of a narcissist to stay on topic is known as tangential thinking or speech. This behavior involves veering off the main conversation point, displaying manipulative traits to redirect the conversation toward himself, and anger when he fails to do so.

From the pictures at R83, the house was exquisite before the psycho venture capitalist bought it.

R91 give it a rest and take your petty jealousy away from here. Some of us are interested in finding out more about the house and street from somebody why actually lives in the area.

[quote] The inability of a narcissist to stay on topic is known as tangential thinking or speech. This behavior involves veering off the main conversation point, displaying manipulative traits to redirect the conversation toward himself, and anger when he fails to do so.

How fascinating!

R91, you are a treasure.

I like the black room

Yes, R93, petty jealousy is an apt diagnosis for R91.

I drink and then I fall down.

R93 Greg talks about trick-or-treating in this thread!

[quote] Greg talks about trick-or-treating in this thread!

You might not know this, R98, but attending a Halloween party is not the same thing as trick-or-treating.

Some of you might find this interesting:

I once sat in the salon chair next to Carly Simon who was also getting her hair done.

I saw Harry Connick Jr. at Mass this morning.

R100 You poison everything you touch.

[quote] You poison everything you touch.

My only regret is that you are not within arm’s reach.

R74, so thrilled it finally all makes sense.

I know that's a rarity for you.

Greg, is this the same 5 Commonwealth your friends live in?

Yes. But those photos are for what would have been the servant’s quarters.

The house itself has no photographs online because when my friends purchased the house, it was being used as the Boston Center of Adult Education (years ago I took swing dance lessons there in what is the ballroom).

When my friend’s bought the house, they had the entire building restored to its original splendor—including the restoration of some ceiling murals that some people from the Museum of Fine Arts restored.

The place is huge and beautiful.

Here’s the history of 5 Commonwealth.

This is a 20,326 square foot townhouse with 7 bedrooms and 8 bathrooms. The conversion back to a single family home included the addition of an interior garage below the ballroom.

Based on Redfin's Boston data, the home's value is estimated at $53,027,563.

When I was working outside of Boston, I would drive to the Back Bay on the weekends to eat, shop at the corner flea market, and gawk at the beautiful, impossibly expensive homes- I did this walking down 5th Ave in New York too, getting glimpses of people's living rooms with art and chandeliers.

My grandmother was a domestic in this Back Bay house in the late 1930s when it was still a very large single family home.

Tom Brady lived here in one of the condominiums after the house was broken up into condos.

It’s magnificent.

Forgive the errant apostrophe in R105.

Should have been:

“When my friends bought the house …”

R108 This building is also in Boston! Have you seen it?

Yes, R110.

My mother worked there as a young woman.

Greg, what was your Halloween costume?

Are the cats ok?

Can we see the litterbox?

Funny you should ask, R114.

I am cleaning it thoroughly right now.

I’ve shown photos of it before.

Yes, R113, the cats are just fine, thank you.

In fact, R110, my cousin twice removed (in other words, my grandfather’s first cousin) was Governor Volpe.

He and his wife were guests at my parent’s wedding and I still have a telegram they sent my parents when I was born.

[quote] I saw Harry Connick Jr. at Mass this morning.

Greg, where do you go to church? Just curious. I went to BU.

what cats?

R117 That's is so exciting, Greg.

Then you may have gone to Marsh Chapel, R118?

[quote] That's is so exciting, Greg.

I wouldn’t consider it ‘exciting’ R121.

To each his own.

I've always wondered what those Brahman places on Comm ave were like

I loved Back Bay when I briefly lived in Boston back in the late 80s. I lived on Huntington, across from the Christian Science building, overlooking their reflecting pool. I spent my free weekend time exploring Back Bay.

R117, Governor Volpe was born and raised in my hometown, Wakefield, Massachusetts.

Nixon named him his Secretary of Transportation in 1969.

It is really such a lovely place.

Boston is a very successful city in terms of it being a place that is wonderful for residents and tourists. Lots of beautiful outdoor space—in particular the Boston Common, the Public Garden, and the Esplanade. Great museums and cultural opportunities. It’s very clean. There’s good shopping, lots of great restaurants, and plenty of educational opportunities.

And beaches and places for skiing are not far.

And there is a lot of history here.

But it is very expensive.

R126, where in Wakefield did you grow up?

I have cousins in Greenwood.

Did you go to WHS—home of the Warriors?

R128, I did, indeed, Class of 1970. They either have or are wanting to scrap the name Warriors, at least the logo.

That’s not surprising, R129.

They probably should.

Did you go to WJHS?

R129, my grandmother used to swim in Lake Quannapowitt.

Sometimes she would take my brother and me and we would have subs from Toody’s on Water Street.

Wakefield is pretty.

[quote] Then you may have gone to Marsh Chapel, [R118]?

Sometimes. I also used to go to St. Paul's in Cambridge (Archdiocesan Boy Choir) and to St. Ignatius near the BC campus.

Same, R132. From 1985 to 1992, I went to St. Paul’s at the 11:00 Mass with the BACS and the Men’s Schola.

Things went downhill a bit after Theodore Marier retired and John Dunn took over as director.

St. Ignatius is also a good place. And St. Cecilia.

R59 The designer mentioned and quoted in the WSJ article is Eric Roseff. Link to his website below.

Gee, should we wonder why this place isn't featured in his "projects" section?

The interior is hideous. I hate the black. And mostly the blue. And the skulls.

R134 - I was just about to ask whether a professional designer would include this in his or her portfolio. Maybe we're an exception here on DL, but I'd imagine the photos would be a red flag to most people who have the money to hire him. Maybe not among 20 somethings in Las Vegas or LA or professional athletes.

R130/R131, Yes, WJHS, when it used to be on Farm Street, now WHS is there, they switched buildings.

Lake Quannapowitt was at the end of my street and swimming was doable growing up, not now.

Toody’s was iconic, but when the parents/original owners died, the next generation let it go to hell.

That’s an outrageous price. I like the black and white but everything else has to go.

The designer would probably feature it in his projects, but only if he worked in Miami.

A ripe candidate for Selling the UnSellables

The house would be perfect for a Scarface-style shootout scene. Preferentially with the current owner in it.

the owner wanted this design. The designer executed it. don't blame the designer. I wonder how much the designer made on this project or a project like this.

Are there any real Brahmins still inhabiting Back Bay?

Greg, do you dine at Asta?

r143 yes!

R131

R146, you seem rather obsessed with me.

When I look at your postings, so many are addressed to me.

I am flattered, but maybe you need to branch out a bit?

[quote] Greg, do you dine at Asta?

No, I never have.

Do you recommend it?

[quote] Are there any real Brahmins still inhabiting Back Bay?

Not nearly as many as might reside in Beacon Hill.

Back Bay has lots of new money which is why it can be so expensive to live there.

Real Boston Brahmins often lack cash. They may have inherited property and possessions, but the money is running out.

In the large houses I refer to above, not one is owned by an old Boston family. It’s all new money.

R147 I find your narcissism and pretension hilarious, like a sheep staring at a mirror.

Greg, do you sup at the 'Quin ever?

[quote] [R147] I find your narcissism and pretension hilarious, like a sheep staring at a mirror.

I’m glad!

R152 And your sockpuppet accounts add another layer or interest.

[quote] Greg, do you sup at the 'Quin ever?

Not since it was restored three years ago.

When it was the Algonquin Club, we would occasionally eat there with friends.

I always found it meh and prefer the Somerset.

[quote] And your sockpuppet accounts add another layer or interest.

Oh, yes! My infamous sock-puppet accounts!

Please say more about them. It’s such an interesting topic.

And tell us how they add another layer of interest.

R151 This thread is comedy gold.

this thread is stalkerish

Greg, how do you feel about the recent loss of Jasper White?

Stalking of? Nobody in his right mind would stalk humourless, dull as dishwater Greg.

[quote] Stalking of? Nobody in his right mind would stalk humourless, dull as dishwater Greg.

You must not read The Boston Globe.

[quote] Greg, how do you feel about the recent loss of Jasper White?

It’s a great loss.

I once shared with him my famous and delectable fish chowder recipe.

+Requiescat in pace.

Ugly trash house in a trash town.

Greg's Famous and Delectable Fish Chowder

Ingredients:

1 lb white fish fillets, such as cod or haddock 1 onion, diced 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced 1 cup prunes, pitted and chopped 4 cups chicken or fish broth 1 cup heavy cream Salt and pepper to taste Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions:

In a large pot, sauté the onion and garlic in some olive oil until translucent. Add the potatoes and prunes, stirring to combine. Pour in the broth and bring to a simmer. Add the fish fillets and cook for about 10 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. Stir in the cream and season with salt and pepper. Serve the chowder hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

[quote] Ugly trash house in a trash town.

While I don’t question your familiarity with trash, I believe you have been misinformed.

R131 "my grandmother used to swim in Lake Quannapowitt"

Greg, your stream of consciousness ramblings are hilarious.

[quote] Serve the chowder hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

No.

Chives.

I was just trying to get the discussion back on track Greg. If you have housing-related commentary, please share.

[quote] Greg, your stream of consciousness ramblings are hilarious.

Thank you.

You make me blush.

[quote] I was just trying to get the discussion back on track Greg. If you have housing-related commentary, please share.

You are a treasure.

r161, i presume he shared his with you?

are you a chef?

[quote] i presume he shared his with you?

I have been making Jasper’s fish chowder for years. It’s very nice.

[quote] are you a chef?

Not a trained one, but I owned a small catering company and spent years catering dinner parties, cocktail parties, small weddings, and other occasions.

R167 Greg is a toxic malignant narcissist. They are notorious for self-absorption and grandiosity, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy. Everything is always all about Greg.

He really thinks he is the center of the universe and the world is jam-packed with laughable assholes just like him.

It’s not even really the actual Greg is it? Isn’t it an imposter?

The interior is ugh-ly.

R172, your interior is ugh-ly.

[quote] It’s not even really the actual Greg is it? Isn’t it an imposter?

I think it’s me?

[quote] Everything is always all about Greg.

It has served me so well.

I think you’re jealous, R172.

R177

The classic narcissistic assumption!

Your exaggerated sense of your own abilities and accomplishments leads you to believe that you're superior to others.

You have to reinforce your brittle ego constantly, making you more defensive and aggressive over time.

[quote] The classic narcissistic assumption!

Damn!

You’re good.

R178 is amusing.

He diagnoses me, and yet on my “New Kittens” thread, he responded 136 times—all childish questions and insults.

And on my “Chocolate-Raspberry Cake” thread, he responded 56 times—and once again, just a bunch of lame insults.

If anyone has a mental problem out here, it is R178.

He is obsessed with me!

[quote] He really thinks he is the center of the universe

At the moment, R172, I believe I’m the center of [bold] your [/bold] universe.

After seeing the "before' pictures, I think the psycho venture capitalist needs to be taken out back and shot.

It will never happen, but perhaps the USA should consider adopting the English laws concerning "Listed" buildings.

[quote] Listed buildings are of historic significance and are protected by UK law. For this reason, alterations which affect the special architectural or historic interest of the building need to be approved by the local planning authority. You will need to apply for listed building consent prior to commencement of works.

We have that too.

R182 Why are you not talking about Greg?

You should get a Greg, R182.

R180

R180

[quote]Stalking of? Nobody in his right mind would stalk humourless, dull as dishwater Greg.

He's from Boston, they're all like that. Its indigenous to the region.

I do mean that in a good way, actually.

Wow when posters mentioned that Jasper White had died, I thought they were referring to his death some time ago. His death was announced today. A big loss to the Boston culinary community. I really like Summer Shack in its early iterations.

I liked Jasper’s. Sadly, after being one of Boston’s finest restaurants for over ten years, Jasper decided to close it in 1995, because of the Big Dig.

Will everybody shut up about Greg and go back to ragging on these grotesque interiors?

TIA.

[quote] Stalking of? Nobody in his right mind would stalk humourless, dull as dishwater Greg.

Well, aside from you.

Is that what you mean?

The only redone parts of this home I don't hate are the top floor sunroom and roof terrace. Everything else is a tragedy, aside from the pristine exterior facade. Well, maybe the kitchen is somewhat salvageable if you lose the gaudy light fixtures and tacky modern furnishings. But it's still way too modern for the home's original aesthetic.

Also: $30m? In Boston?? While you'd probably need another $10m in your budget to try and undo the horror done by the seller?! Suck my dick, Kevin Starr.

Blowjobs are $40m

R142 "don't blame the designer"

The client cannot be held entirely responsible for this abortion.

My grandmother lived on Commonwealth Ave. but in Brighton.

[quote] Also: $30m? In Boston??

Well, for just 1,000 square feet, you would expect to pay 1.5 million.

Did she swim at Lake Quannapowitt?

Greg, what is your impression of Arlington, MA?

R199, It’s Brookline with trees.

While I knew it was only a matter of time before I’d have to hit the Ignore button on this thread, I was nevertheless holding out hope that our collective DL nightmare had come to an end.

Hear hear

Oh I don't know. The art is the owners' one would think, and they will take it with them. I find their nod to Mondrian quite subdued but I'd change it as I don't have the same appreciation. The rest of it - even the lacquer blue den - appeals to me. Sold.

[quote] Did she swim at Lake Quannapowitt?

Did who swim at Lake Quannapowitt?

[quote] Greg, what is your impression of Arlington, MA?

You asked me this very question on another thread and I answered it.

I do enjoy the Capitol Theatre on occasion.

I imagine there was once a very beautiful handrail and balusters on those stairs. More’s the pity.

Why do even tell people where you go? it's so fucking dangerous and creepy, I hope that was a fake answer.

if you die, please can I have your stuff?

I'll buy it for 10 million

I wasn’t sure if the designer was a tasteless Frau or a Fag until I saw the skull in the shower then I knew it must be an aging circuit queen. I have not looked at pictures of her yet but I’m thinking dappled skin, steroid bod, facial wasting and thinning hair with ridiculously extravagant outfits. David Yurman skull ring and bracelet?

R209 The skull motif throughout the home is something highly personal to the owner. The designer talks about the owner's belief about them in the Wall Street Journal article at R14.

[quote] Skulls can be seen in rugs and wallpaper throughout the home. In the primary bathroom, there is a skull-shaped mosaic on the shower floor, and Roseff found a jeweler to engrave skulls into the shower fixtures, too. “A lot of people think skulls are creepy, but he [Starr, the owner] sees it as a joyous sign of life,” Roseff said, noting that Starr believes skulls represent the circle of life. “When a fetus is forming, the skull is the first thing formed. At the end of life…the skull is what remains.”

“A lot of people think skulls are creepy" and then he gives his creepy point of view about skulls. 💀🤡

Fuck you werent kidding about having to redecorate OP. At least the period detail is all still intact by the look of it, even though its been slathered in paint. Even a few of the original light fittings are still there

When you see what it used to look like in the pics at the link at R85 (thanks Greg) you just despair. What the fuck was the owner thinking, it looks like shit now

$30 million is WAY too much given the amount of work needed to put it back the way it should be

R212 most the central staircase was replaced.

R213 Oh fuck really? Checked, yeah the cunt has gone and replaced the beautiful carved wooden banisters with some chrome glass and plastic monstrosity. Thats going to be expensive to put back unless the originals are stored somewhere

Brahmins live on Beacon Hill, never on Back Bay

[quote] Brahmins live on Beacon Hill, never on Back Bay

Yes, as I said at R149.

R214 Everything inside get sold for lots of money.

It's what new money does. It's not far from Elvis and Graceland.

The crème de la crème of Boston live in Louisburg Square, not Back Bay.

I prefer the new version. it was old and stuffy before the renovation.

That’s correct, R219.

I had a very good catering client who lived on Louisburg Square who hired me to cater a dinner party in 2004, while John Kerry was the Democratic candidate for president. I was required to submit information to Secret Service, as was my staff, weeks in advance of the party.

All the guests were required to, as well.

R221 All roads lead to Greg.

Greg, are you heading to Deuxave this eve?

R223

[quote] Greg, are you heading to Deuxave this eve?

No.

R224, what’s wrong with your puppet?

[quote] All roads lead to Greg.

Where the air is fresh.

Did you have a bowel movement this morning, Greg?

[quote] Did you have a bowel movement this morning, Greg?

Why would you ask such a question?

R228 is really preoccupied with me.

He has sent me scores of idiotic questions.

R228, are you lonely?

Or are you just infatuated with me?

In either case, I’m happy to engage with you.

How is your day progressing?

It’s raining here on the Cape, so I’m doing some laundry and cleaning since I can’t be out in the garden.

I did lay one of our side gardens with sod on Monday, so I’m happy for the rain.

The grass looks so green and beautiful!

Because this is a thread about 130 Comm. Instead you talk about a party in 2004, where your aunt used to swim, dead governors, where you had dinner, your sod, a lot of unrelated garbage. But it’s never about 130 Comm. It’s always about Greg. Greg. Greg. Greg. Greg.

You are all noise, no signal.

Oh, R231, I’ve offered plenty about 130 Comm Ave.

You must not like to read.

But look how green my newly laid sod looks!

Nobody does this. Your behavior is aberrational, even for DL.

You are blind to normal boundaries of dialogue.

I've no idea why you are so deeply self-absorbed.