Jeff Bowen has played a central role in the revitalization of Chelsea’s real estate landscape.
As a leading real estate broker associate at ERA Russell, Bowen is bringing his expertise to the Thomas Martin Lofts at 204 Spencer Avenue, a striking new residential development. He was instrumental in marketing The Beacon Condominiums at 81 Broadway and is also an investor in the Martin Lofts project.
The structure occupying the corner of Spencer and Webster Avenues was once the Horace Memorial Baptist Church, a landmark familiar to longtime Chelsea residents. Real estate developer Roback Real Estate has transformed the former church into 10 loft condominiums. According to Bowen, “Thomas Martin Lofts” the name was selected because Martin constructed the church in 1885.
The building’s four floors feature a variety of floor plans: one one-bedroom loft with exposed brick, one studio unit, four two-bedroom two-bathroom lofts, and three bi-level two-bedroom two-bathroom lofts that include a family room.
An open house will introduce the Martin Lofts to the public this Saturday and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m., with complimentary pizza from Ciao Pizza available to all attendees. Bowen will be showing the properties for the first time at this event.
The Mill Hill area has emerged as what many are calling the New Chelsea Loft District. The Thomas Martin Lofts joins other sought-after residential conversions including the Davinci Lofts at 960 Broadway, the Industry Lofts at 950 Broadway, Spencer Lofts, the Keen Lofts in the former Mary C. Burke School, and One Webster.
“This is another reclaimed building for Chelsea that only 15 years ago a lot of the neighborhood was boarded up,” said Bowen. “Many original features remain from the church building including hardwood flooring, stained glass windows, and components of the pipe organ.”
Units in the Martin Lofts are priced between $325,000 and $525,000.
With the Silver Line expansion coming to Chelsea, Bowen believes these loft condominiums represent ideal housing for “young professionals who may have been priced out of Cambridge, Somerville, and some Boston neighborhoods such as Charlestown, South Boston, and East Boston and who want more bang for their buck.”
Bowen has become an enthusiastic advocate for Chelsea, which earned an All America City Award during the tenure of former City Manager Jay Ash and continues its momentum under City Manager Thomas Ambrosino.
“The reason I like Chelsea so much is that it is small yet it has an urban feel and I love the restaurants, especially Ciao Pizza, Dockside, New Bridge Café, Fusion Bistro, S and L Subs, Chelsea Station, Floramo’s, New Brown Jug, and Chili’s.”
Bowen welcomes Chelsea residents to attend the open house or visit www.thomasmartinlofts.com for more information.