PCA-Designed Residence Includes 74 Apartments, 9 Condos by The Mount Vernon Company
Cambridge-based architecture, interiors, and planning firm PCA announced the completion of Arthaus, an art-focused residential experience now open in the heart of Boston’s fast-rising Allston neighborhood. Located at the intersection of North Beacon and Everett Streets, Arthaus is the latest development by The Mount Vernon Company and is comprised of a five-story, 72-unit apartment residence and a separate nine-unit condominium building.
Arthaus is designed to enliven the neighborhood’s public realm with a glassed-in lobby showcasing local artists and a street-level public plaza with seating on North Beacon Street. The gallery, managed by Unbound Visual Artists, an Allston-Brighton based non-profit art organization, engages those passing by to view an ever-changing display of locally-created artwork. PCA’s design features a distinctive, contemporary façade inspired by the Japanese folded paper artform origami with waveform patterns zigzagging through the corrugated metal exterior.
“We know from years of experience that a great design appeals to tenants and outperforms competing properties,” said Bruce A. Percelay, chairman and founder of The Mount Vernon Company. “Our fundamental belief is we want to be the best in any neighborhood where we compete, and we express that through architecture. PCA’s design adds new energy to a neighborhood known for its eclectic eateries, entertainment venues, and locally owned shops.”
“With Arthaus, we wanted to create a one-of-a-kind residential experience that reflects the artistic and diverse cultural character of the neighborhood,” said PCA Principal Dave Snell, AIA, LEED AP BD+C. “Allston has long been at the heart of Boston’s arts and music community, and the connection between the Arthaus design, the building’s amenities, and its community engagement clearly struck a chord with residents. Like our other collaborations with The Mount Vernon Company, Arthaus was fully leased before its completion, an accomplishment not often seen in residential real estate development.”
The recently occupied residence offers a wide range of high-end tenant amenities at a price point below competing properties. These include a rooftop gathering and entertaining space with 360-degree city views, onsite underground parking, a high-tech fitness center with Peloton bikes and a MIRROR interactive fitness system, electric vehicle charging stations, and a dog park and pet spa.
Arthaus is the latest of a dozen creative collaborations between PCA and The Mount Vernon Company over the past decade. The two teamed up to produce the LEED Platinum-certified Allston Green District in Boston, the 164-room Revolution Hotel – selected as the #1 Hotel in Boston Conde by Nast Traveler, and Radius, a LEED Gold-certified, mixed-use development featuring 132 apartments and ground floor retail space in Brighton. Cranshaw Construction is the construction manager.
“We go to PCA with dreamy ideas, and we work together to come up with something that is both unique and practical,” said Percelay.“The speed with which PCA can process ideas is part of what makes our longtime relationship work. They corral our thoughts and translate it quickly to an engaging design, producing a space that appeals to today’s sophisticated tenants and to the local community.”
About PCA–Founded in 1982, PCA is recognized as one of Greater Boston’s largest, most responsive and innovative design firms. The firm’s creative staff brings an uncommon blend of business insight and creative problem-solving to each of our projects. With expertise in architecture, planning and interior design, the results speak for themselves: thoughtful, award-winning design that has generated one success after another for our clients — projects that both thrive in the marketplace and bring lasting value to our community.
About Mount Vernon Company –The Mount Vernon Company is a real estate investment company recognized as one of the leading apartment property owners in Massachusetts. The company, founded by Bruce A. Percelay, has grown over the past 30 years to include 1,600 apartments, five hotels, and select commercial and vacation properties. Mount Vernon Company received the Community Excellence Award from the Rental Housing Association of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board, the Paragon Award for Industry Excellence by the National Apartment Association, Best Landlord in Boston recognition by Boston Magazine, and Best Places to Work in Boston award by the Boston Business Journal.
