Trending In Cambridge

Cambridge, MA is a wise, cultured and vibrant city with a population of approximately 120,000 and is located three miles or so from Boston—located directly across the Charles River.  It was originally named after the University of Cambridge in England.  

In December of 1630 the area which is now Cambridge was selected as a safe settlement and building site as it was inland from Boston Harbor and could easily defend these entry waters.   Cambridge was founded by Thomas Dudley, Anne Bradstreet (his daughter) and Simon Bradstreet (Anne’s husband and Thomas’ son-in-law).  The settlement was orginally referred to as the “Newe Towne” or “Newtowne.”   

Cambridge was one of the original settlements founded by nearly 700 original Puritan settlers under Governor John Winthrop and the Massachusetts Bay Colony. 

In 1636 Newe College (later Harvard University) was founded to train Ministers.  It stands today as the oldest institution of learning in the United States.  

In May of 1968 this beautiful settlement’s name was changed to Cambridge. 

Today Cambridge stands as an international hub of higher education, innovation, and culture—an understated and vibrant example to the world as to the power of knowledge to advance the wellbeing of humankind.  

Several of the world’s most prestigious universities call Cambridge home:   

• -Harvard University 
• -MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) – established in 1861 
• -Lesley University – established in 1909 

CAMBRIDGE, MA REAL ESTATE NEWS

Real estate in Cambridge has risen drastically over the past three decades and currently is one of the higher value sections of Massachusetts. 

There are currently 132 properties on the market in Cambridge with a median sale price of $1,025,000 – a figure which has been steadily rising over the past 5 years.  

On average homes put on the market go pending within 19 days per Redfin. 

https://www.redfin.com/city/2833/MA/Cambridge/housing-market 

We love real estate consultant Charles Cherney for all things Cambridge.  He’s a long time resident and knows pretty much everything there is to know about both Cambridge and Somerville.  He does a great monthly market report for Cambridge which you can see here: 

https://www.cambridgerealestate.com/blog/july-2023-market-report 

“Cambridge is made up of many interesting neighborhoods. It’s home to Harvard and MIT. There’s so much life and vitality in Cambridge. And the real estate market here is always steady and strong.”  -Charles Cherney

Charles Cherney

REALTOR®, ABR, CBR, CRS, e-PRO, GREEN, GRI

M 617.733.8937   E cc@compass.com 1100 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02138 CambridgeRealEstate.com

CAMBRIDGE – THREE GREAT COFFEE SHOPS AND A WONDERFUL SPOT FOR BRUNCH

1369 Coffee House 

www.1369coffeehouse.com 

Inman Square, 1369 Cambridge Street 

 

Curio Coffee 

www.curiocoffee.com 

441 Cambridge Street, Cambridge MA  

 

Broadstreet Coffee Roasters 

www.broadsheetcoffee.com 

100 Kirkland Street 

And if you want a truly wonderful brunch in Cambridge: 

Café Luna 

612 Main Street, Cambridge MA 

www.cafeluna-centralsq.com 

OPEN AIR CAMBRIDGE BEAUTY – A RECENT NEDC ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN BUILD PROJECT IN CAMBRIDGE

This beautiful client project in Cambridge, MA created a spa-like shower in the open air leading off the client’s primary suite.  Custom slat walls on the roof and interior lend elegant privacy–the darker wood is called Shou Sugi Ban – an elegant and aesthetic Japanese woodburning technique. 

These are two other beautiful Cambridge projects completed in the last few years.  One was a whole-home gut remodel and the other a remodel of nearly the entire home: 

NEDC – A CAMBRIDGE, MA REVIEW AS ARCHITECT/BUILDER:

“FIVE STARS

Positive: Professionalism, Punctuality, Quality, Responsiveness, Value

NEDC did a gut renovation of our house. The process with them was amazing from start to finish. From our first meeting with the president, Dave Supple, who inspected all corners of house and talked about our goals, to the wrap-up of the punch list with the project manager and lead designer, everything went exceedingly well.

The process began with a series of broad design options and price ranges, then settled to one primary design during which we refined all the details and finalize the budget; then we moved onto all the material, appliance and finish selections, which is also done hand-in-hand with NEDC’s designers.

Once construction began, we had a weekly meeting with the project manager to discuss what had been done the prior week and what was coming. This allowed for timely course correction.

The project was completed on time – maybe even a bit ahead of schedule, I don’t remember, despite some COVID permitting setbacks – and at the budget that was set at the end of the design process. We were very happy with NEDC.”

JM – NEDC Client, Cambridge

“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.   

 

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.  

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.  

Ever heard of Boston’s The Big Dig?  This was a Design Bid Build fiasco of the highest order—coming in over 7 years late and billions of dollars over budget.  This is clearly an extreme example.  

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.  

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 – WHO WE ARE: 

At NEDC we are a creative team of nearly 20 architects, interior designers, administrators and artisan builders with a love for sustainable design and a passion for the legacy of the Architect as a Master Builder.  As such our full service is unique, from conceptual design through all architectural planning and construction. 

CONTACT 

NEDC OFFICE

1. info@nedesignbuild.com
2.  (617) 708-0676

RYAN MANHOFF – NEDC BRAND MANAGER 

1. RYAMM@NEDESIGNBUILD.COM
2. 484 809 3636