Lexington, MA
Lexington is a truly beautiful suburb of Boston. We have many lovely clients in Lexington and have been working in and out of this beautiful area for nearly twenty years now.
I’m often asked about Lexington and wanted to share my thoughts on this beautiful town.
Lexington is a beautiful town of approximately 34,000 located 10 miles from Boston. It was originally settled around 1641 by European immigrants as a picturesque and useful farming community.
A word of history…
Lexington, MA – the birthplace of Liberty. You may have heard this description of this beautiful town.
Lexington is iconic as the crucible for the advent of the Revolutionary War. The Battle of Lexington is an academic staple across Massachusetts, New England and the country as a whole.
A reenactment of the Battle of Lexington takes place each year on Patriots Day on Battle Green. I remember attending these as a child, getting up in the cold before dawn and driving there with my mother—then waiting excitedly in the chilly pre-dawn dark with a feeling of growing anticipation. The roll of the snare drum as the British appeared through the morning mist literally gave me chills. To an 11-year-old this performance looks markedly real and leaves an indelible impression. The soldiers are in full uniform.
An unknown shot would ring out…giving rise to the Revolutionary War and the flawed yet beautiful nation we call home today.
This ethos runs through the town today and one can see and feel it in the architecture, layout and vibe of Lexington. It’s a beautiful and meaningful thing—a key part of this upscale and genteel town’s culture.
Located Northwest of Boston, many titans of business and brilliant minds in Medicine, Finance and Industry call this quintessential New England town home.
Best Coffee Spots in Lexington
Avenue Deli
1806 Mass Ave
www.1806avenuedeli.com
This is an iconic standalone (non-chain) deli offering an array of wraps, sandwiches and delicious and hearty soups. You can order a Paul Revere (Deluxe Roast Beef, BBQ Sauce, Cheddar, Lettuce, and Tomato on an Onion Roll) or a Midnight Ride (Roast Chicken Breast, American Cheese, Bacon, Honey Mustard, Lettuce, and Tomato on a Bulkie Roll). I personally love the homemade chicken noodle soup or the NE clam chowder with the Cracked Pepper Turkey Sandwich.
Simple, straightforward and delicious!
Their espresso and coffee are excellent as well!
Here’s the Avenue Deli menu:
www.1806avenuedeli.com/menu-1
Ma-France
46 Mass Ave, Lexington
www.mafrancegourmet.com
This is like a Harry Potter leap from Lexington into the culinary beauty of France. A truly special establishment founded 10 years ago by two beautiful souls from the Southwest of France, MA-France is a slice of heaven. Essentially a bridge between French culture and fine foods and Lexington, MA.
Everything is amazing. Period. From the array of pastries to fine cheeses and spreads.
My treat to self is the vegan, gluten free chocolate cake with a double espresso, but you can’t go wrong with anything in the store.
Best restaurants in Lexington
Love At First Bite
1710 Mass Ave
www.loveatfirstbitema.com
If you are a looking for a mouth-watering Thair restaurant and bar – look no further. With a wide array of Thai dishes incorporating local ingredients, Love at First Bite is literally that.
My absolute favorite are the Maine crab rangoons (crispy wonton sheet filled with Maine crab meat, cream cheese, carrots, and scallion. Served with Thai plum sauce.)
Seriously now. Here’s the menu:
https://www.loveatfirstbitema.com/menu.php
Town Meeting Bistro
2027 Mass Ave
www.innathastingspark.com/dining/town-meeting-bistro/
This wonderful venue is available for lunch, dinner or an amazing Sunday brunch. The décor and vibe is truly Colonial—you half expect to look over and see Betsy Ross putting the finishing touches on the first American Flag. It’s fantastic. Town Bistro also does a Saturday High Tea.
The food is delicious—for dinner I recommend the Mushroom Risotto with the Pan Seared Artic Char. For desert the Ginger Molasess Cake with a poached pear is just exquisite.
For Sunday Brunch my go to is the Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict.
The menus:
Sunday Brunch:
https://www.innathastingspark.com/wp-content/uploads/Brunch-01_12_23.pdf
Lunch:
https://www.innathastingspark.com/wp-content/uploads/Lunch-Menu_Winter-2023.pdf
Dinner:
https://www.innathastingspark.com/wp-content/uploads/WEB-DINNER-01.12.2023.pdf
Dessert:
https://www.innathastingspark.com/wp-content/uploads/TM-Dessert-1.05.23.pdf
Travel in Lexington
Lexington is about a 30-minute drive from Boston, Logan airport depending on the traffic. One can soak up the rural beauty by cycling or walking throughout town, and Uber and Lyft ridesharing services run readily throughout the area.
Real Estate in Lexington in 2023:
There are currently 40 homes on the market in Lexington, ranging from roughly $800,000 to $5,550,000
“The Lexington housing market is very competitive. Homes in Lexington receive 6 offers on average and sell in around 22 days. The average sale price of a home in Lexington was $1.34M last month, down 2.8% since last year. The average sale price per square foot in Lexington is $522, up 3.4% since last year.”
Source: www.redfin.com/city/36128/MA/Lexington/housing-market
Many owners purchasing new homes in Lexington may have difficulty locating exactly what they want on the current market. They turn to NEDC to design and create their dream home.
NEDC = Architects who build.
We are a creative team of nearly twenty specializing in Architectural Design Build across Boston with a specialty in sustainable home design.
What is Architectural Design Build?
First, let’s define the word, “Architect.”
“Architect” defined:
The root of the word architect breaks down into “chief” or “master” (arkhi) and “builder” (tekton). Archi and tekton come from the ancient Greek language, which originated as far back as 3,000 BC.
The Architect’s true heritage is that of Master Builder—a legacy nearly lost in today’s industry.
Architectural Design Build Versus Design Bid Build:
There are two primary approaches to a major home design and remodel. While this can be made very complex as a subject, the natural creative process is fundamentally simple. I will cover both here:
Design-Bid-Build is the process that has been introduced over the past 150 years or so whereby you as the client directly hire an architect to draft plans and design your project — to then have it bid out to multiple contractors seeking to win the bid and perform the project. This approach has been generalized as mainstream over the past decades and sold to homeowners, often creating client stress and potential loss of both client funds and time. This approach has many liabilities for the client due in no small part to the fragmented spheres of responsibilities which this system and method creates.
There is no single person or entity fully accountable to the client for the entire project’s success.
This single factor alone can create a host of problems for the client.
One primary pitfall for the client is the outlay of significant funds for architectural plans and designs which are then too expensive to build once they are bid out to contractors.
By default, the client is ultimately responsible for both Architect and Builder as well as the ultimate success of the project. Thus, one can have impractical and expensive design work, impractical planning, numerous change orders, shoddy craftsmanship, and projects which are off timeline and over budget. In the end, the client can be left damaged. You or a family member or friend may have experienced this in the past. We have many clients come to us after poor experiences with this approach.
Architectural Design-Build (also Design Build) is the natural approach to creation of the built environment and has been used for thousands of years to create many of the beautiful structures of earth. Architectural Design Build is the route of choice if one desires to save on time and money, reduce stress, and eliminate a fragmented sense of project responsibility in the people working for you.
Architectural Design Build is a model that stresses single-source accountability with the creative design, planning, and remodel executed start to finish by one firm.
Architectural Design Build in Boston is currently being turned to by professionals, families, and individuals as the cutting edge of efficiency, aesthetics, practicality, and accountability when it comes to designing and remodeling a home. This approach packages architectural design and interior design services with artisan-level building and remodeling services. This natural synthesis makes for a simple, efficient, and accountable creative process followed by a streamlined and responsible build phase, reducing cost, time of execution, and client stress throughout. With the Architectural Design Build approach, the client is dealing solely with one fully accountable firm.
With Architectural Design Build we are also able to value engineer the project in the planning stage – ensuring the design aligns for the best value for money for the client and is executable within the client’s overall project budget.
New England Design and Construction specializes in Architectural Design Build with a specific focus on sustainable luxury homes. We are extremely mindful of environmental impact and passionate about project efficiency and client comfort.
NEDC Custom Architectural Design Build – Lexington, MA
In this stunning project the existing first floor of this Lexington split-level Garrison Colonial family home with its kitchen and living room were confined and cramped with a dated flow. During Covid the family felt the pressing need to open the space and re-orient the flow of the home. Resolving this to client taste and values was the challenge!
David Muniz Supple and NEDC (New England Design & Construction) were selected as a leading Architectural Design Build firm in Boston specializing in sustainable home design. The clients were intrigued and interested in the client benefits of architectural design build – having all services from conceptual design through artisan build delivered by one firm.
The entirety of the first floor was redesigned from scratch, including a new kitchen, living spaces and rooms which access the backyard. A home office, mudroom and Pooja room were included in the design.
A custom deck was designed and added off the living and kitchen area. The kitchen includes a stunning quartzite island, designer black cabinets with oversized cavetto molding, built-ins and natural wood shelves. All new appliances were added along with a wine fridge, pendant lights above the island, a chic black cabinet front to fridge, backsplash tile (tile repeats in both built-ins) and lighting on the black I-beam above the new hall.
In the living room space an existing fireplace was removed–new doors were designed opening onto back deck, and a custom woodwork wall was designed and installed. New windows and new flooring were integrated into the layout with the space now opening onto the dining room.
A beautiful hallway was designed with custom artisan oak ceiling slats leading to a beautiful puja room and a mud room.
A home office was designed with custom designer geometric ceiling wallpaper which tastefully complements the new music room with its natural lighting and vintage chandelier.
Helpful Video Content for Boston Homeowners Considering a Home Remodel:
The True Meaning of an Architect
NEDC Client Testimonial:
Client Testimonial: Lifting Spirits with Spaces
Love,
David Muñiz Supple
CEO NEDC
dave@nedesignbuild.com
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