If you won megamillions and could live anywhere in MA.

Iam living RITE HERE!!! But buy lot so things at APPLE store. Maybe hiring some of you to be standing in LONG LINES for the hots new producks!!!.
 
I love British and Continental sports cars, but there is something to be said for Detroit iron. I think I'd look pretty good in one of these.
 
I just spit out my Mexican cane liquor!! I learned to drive on that very car, same color, two door. You and 7 of your best friends could go anywhere, 9 miles to the gallon.
 
Guys, when I win megamillions I promise I'll invite you all up to my summer home (make sure to take the virtual tour).

Sure it's a bit neuvo riche, but that's OK, 'cuz I'll be newly rich! :)
 
That place reminds me of KZs' bands place in Montana.

\\Queue post pics//
 
TRURO....on the National Seashore side. And of course, a brownstone on Beacon Hill.
 
I would hire Richard Meier or Norman Foster to build me a sophisticated glass co-op midrise in the Back Bay or along the Charles in Cambridge, install an art house cinema and an array of the kind of restaurants (independent cafe, brunch spot, ethnic fast food) Boston should have more of. Then I'd take the penthouse and make unilateral decisions on applications for apartments below.

Any takers?
 
^ I could get down with Meier and a brunch spot.

vanshnookenraggen said:
That place reminds me of KZs' bands place in Montana.
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Sorry, missed this post somehow. And yes it does look like our Montana pad:



Speaking of my band, MTV just declared us Boston's Best New Breakout Artist! Out of 139 bands, we came out on top!! Footage of our competition performance (taped at Six Flags) will get shown during the Video Music Awards (Sept. 13th) across all of New England!
!
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My first response was: "Penthouse at the Boston Arch".

Then I thought: "Might as well become rich and crazy at the same time."

I'd turn 1 City Hall Plaza into a private residence, plant fast-growing ivy around the base, demolish the brick wall facing Faneuil Hall (see below) and replace the lights that burned out in 1968 and haven't been fixed since.

Then I'd make a series of "campaign donations" that would ensure I'd have the ability to redevelop the plaza as I see fit. Redrawing it to establish narrow plots while lifting height restrictions, and declaring an Alucobond-free zone.

Next I'd remove the MBTA pass office from Government Center station and create a tunnel that would open up at grade on Congress St. while tying into the lower shopping levels of the new plaza along the way. Less Downtown Crossing and more Montreal.
 
JohnAKeith said:
Duh, if I won that money, I'd live in the penthouse at Columbus Center, which they'd give to me gratis due to my $100 million investment.
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Exactly, somewhere downtown close to the bars, where you can drag your Thursday catch....
 
My dream house finally goes up for sale, and I'm caught a few bucks* short. :(

Boston Globe - October 15, 2009
Big building, big price tag
Got millions? Check out the Ames-Webster mansion

300h.jpg

A carved oak staircase leads to the upper floor of the mansion on Dartmouth Street. (Wendy Maeda/ Globe Staff)

By Johnny Diaz, Globe Staff | October 15, 2009

Boston house hunters now have a very big option.

The Ames-Webster mansion - one of the largest properties in Back Bay, with 26,000 square feet, 50 rooms, and 28 fireplaces - is for sale. Going price? Between $18 million to $25 million.

?It?s a big building,?? said Joanna Rizzo Dresser, a project manager with LandVest, which is marketing the property and expects about 150 brokers in town for Christie?s Great Estates 2009 Annual Conference to visit tonight at a cocktail party planned to build buzz for the listing. ?It can either be used as a single family home, multifamily residences, or commercial office space,?? she said.

The property is owned by Reality Realty Trust, whose members include developer Neil St. John Raymond of the Raymond Property Co. and the founding members of CBT Architects firm. The mansion is the corporate headquarters for Raymond and was also the base for CBT until 1999, when it relocated to a larger space downtown. The Raymond company is planning to move its offices to downtown Boston to be closer to current projects, such as the redevelopment of the Government Center Garage.

?We loved the opportunity that 306 Dartmouth gave us when we were starting out and believe it?s time for new stewardship,?? CBT?s Richard Bertman said in a statement.

The hulking brick-faced property at the corner of Dartmouth Street and Commonwealth Avenue currently houses a collection of office suites. Twenty businesses, ranging from money management companies to law offices, sublet space. (Brightly lit chandeliers hang in some of the offices.)

But the building was not always commercial space.

The Mansard-roof house, built in 1872, was once the home of Frederick Ames, an industrialist and member of a prominent Bay State family. The estate was designed by the Peabody and Stearns architectural firm. In 1882, architect John Hubbard Sturgis expanded the property by adding a four-story tower.

The property is known for its intricate design details, inside and out. The house features a stained glass skylight by John La Farge and murals by French painter Benjamin Constant. Cherubs and seahorses line the staircase as it rises four stories.

Despite the current real estate market, local real estate specialists say the property, given its address, could be snatched up.

?It?s a signature property,?? said Greg Vasil, chief executive of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board. ?Other properties in that neighborhood even though the economy hasn?t been great, have sold. A property like that would get interest in any type of market.??

Johnny Diaz can be reached at jodiaz@globe.com.
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Buyers now have a big option when house hunting in Boston.
The Ames-Webster mansion on 306 Dartmouth St., one of the largest properties in the Back Bay with 26,000 square feet, 50 rooms, and 28 fireplaces, is for sale.
Going price: Between $18-25 million.
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maeda_15mansion_biz12__1255550286_6455.jpg

Tonight, about 150 brokers are in town for Christie's Great Estates 2009 Annual Conference, who will tour the property at a cocktail party aimed to market the listing.
Click to expand...

maeda_15mansion_biz7__1255550285_6292.jpg

The property is owned by Reality Realty Trust, whose members include developer Neil St. John Raymond of the Raymond Property Co. and the founding members of firm CBT Architects. The mansion serves as the corportate headquarters for Raymond Property and was also the base for CBT until 1999 when it relocated to a larger space downtown.
The Raymond company is planning to move its offices to downtown Boston to be closer to current projects such as the redevelopment of the Government Center Garage, and officials wanted to unload the Back Bay estate during the current buyer's real estate market.
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maeda_15mansion_biz10__1255550285_5977.jpg

The hulking brick-faced property at the corner of Dartmouth Street and Commonwealth Avenue., currently houses a collection of office suites for 20 businesses that range from money management companies to law offices. (Brightly-lit chandeliers hang in some of the offices.)
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maeda_15mansion_biz6__1255550284_4748.jpg

"It's a big building,'' said Joanne Rizzo Dresser, a project manager with LandVest, as she stood near one of the oak paneled walls. Her company is marketing the property.
As she gave a tour Wednesday, she noted that the property can be used as "either a single family home, multi family residences or commercial office space."
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maeda_15mansion_biz3__1255550284_2346.jpg

A stained glass skylight by artist John La Farge and the "Justinian Cycle" mural by French painter Benjamin Constant are framed by carved oak balconies on the third floor.
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maeda_15mansion_biz4__1255550284_5577.jpg

The Great Hall, measuring 18 by 63 feet, is located on the first floor.
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maeda_15mansion_biz8__1255550285_3440.jpg

The mansion wasn't always a commercial home.
The Mansard-roof house, built in 1872, was the home of industrialist and congressman Frederick Ames. The estate was originally designed by Peabody and Stearns and then expanded in 1882 by architect John Hubbard Sturgis.
Click to expand...

maeda_15mansion_biz9__1255550866_0544.jpg

Cherubs and seahorses line the carved oak staircase as it rises four stories.
Click to expand...

maeda_15mansion_biz11__1255550286_1638.jpg

Originally a solarium off the main dining room, this room is located on the first floor.
Despite the current real estate market, local real estate experts believe the property, given its location and history, might be snatched up.
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*A few bucks = approx $18 million to $25 million
 
It's not necessarily a waste as offices, but it does impose some awful choices. Look at the utilitarian desk/chair combo to the left:

maeda_15mansion_biz10__1255550285_5977.jpg
 
In town: Back Bay

Summer (beach) home: West End, Provincetown

Winter (country) home: Hanover, NH
 
I wonder how much of the original Ames mansion interior had to be modified to convert it to private offices.

I also wonder how much more would have to done to convert it to condos. Could be done in such a way that it could be reversed in the future?
 
I'd have a home in town on Louisburg Square or somewhere in the Back Bay (preferably Comm. Ave).

For the summer, I'd break the state barrier and have a home on Thames St. in Newport, RI and a cabana at a local beach (certainly a boat in the harbor).
 
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