Sharpe Venture Group

Front Doors, Refreshed.
Which is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!
✨
✨
✨
✨ELEVATE FLAT TO SHARPE™️
✨
✨
✨
We love reinvigorating entrances of existing multifamily properties we acquire, especially when there’s no major construction planned. Fresh paint, hardware, lighting, mailboxes, planters, new access systems - all simple and impactful ways to make residents and communities feel just a half step warmer, safer and prouder. Here are a few entries just before we bought them and then shortly thereafter 📸.
✨
✨
✨
✨
✨
✨
✨
✨
✨
✨
✨
✨
✨
✨
✨
Thanks to our partners for beautifully executing each of these:



✨
✨
✨
✨
✨
✨
✨
✨
✨
✨
✨
✨
✨
✨
✨
✨

Preserved:
The Watchmaker, c. 1910
(Last photo contains ‘before’ shot)
Faced with the prospect of razing this building to develop across two parcels, it was thanks to early productive community conversations (and some phased financial acrobatics) that we were able to execute a neighborhood-supported dual pronged strategy: save the existing structure and develop a separate building on the abutting lot. I think we’re all ecstatic with the collaborative outcome. Thank you to our wonderful neighbors and community leaders for engaging with tactful open minds rather than the all-too-typical pitchforks.

🙌🙌🙌

EPILOGUE:
While neither the property nor its known inhabitants carry particular significance from an architectural or historic standpoint, we still have a few nuggets for our fellow real estate nerds:

HISTORY:
The earliest records we could locate of the semi-attached brick rowhouse at 217 Saratoga Street date back to 1910 (though we have some evidence that parts of building may be older). The first known owner was Edward Lewis Grueby. Grueby was registered as a watchmaker, clockmaker, silversmith and jeweler with a shop on the Winthrop Block (currently Eddie C’s, TD Bank, La Sultana) in Maverick Square. Grueby seems to have owned several properties in East Boston and throughout New England around the same time, so this may not have been his primary residence.

ARCHITECTURE:
While most of the original interior has long since been replaced, the façade features some lovely original masonry detail, including splayed keystone lintels and a baskethandle arched transom. We were also able to salvage much of the common area finish carpentry, including carved solid wood doors, newell posts, balusters, railings, wainscoting, baseboards, chair rails, door casings and more.

Introducing:
The Sara, by Sharpe Venture Group

Now enthusiastically approved by the:
🟢 Eagle Hill Civic Association
🟢 Boston Zoning Board of Appeals
🟢 Boston Planning and Development Agency

Clad in zinc metallic armor and warmed by timber accents, these boutique residences include multiple three bed duplex penthouses with roof decks and Boston skyline views.
Coming in 2025…

Design by Zephyr Architects

Please join us in supporting our 30 displaced neighbors in the wake of the 3 alarm fire on Saratoga Street this past week. The fire victims include infants and children. Let’s all pitch in to help as best we can. 100% of the proceeds donated via the below link will go to the victims. ♥️

Eastie Together — East Boston Social Centers Support Saratoga Fire Victims Early Wednesday morning, a fire broke out in an East Boston triple-decker on Saratoga Street, causing it to spread to neighboring homes and leaving over 30 people displaced. The Boston Fire Department has reported that 24 adults and 9 children. Luckily, everyone was abl...