NorthPoint 2.0

Mar.
    12th
2012

Check-out all our digital changes for 2012!

We love our NorthPoint neighborhood and we want everyone to know how great it is.  We’ve decided to “shout it out” over the internet with re-designs and updated sites.  We hope to share more information, interact with the community and show off as much as we can!

The NorthPoint development has a new team and a bright future under the direction of local developer The HYM Investment Group.  The marketing campaign and newly launched website show the resurgence of this development as it moves forward.

northpointcambridge.com

Image Courtesy of The HYM Investment Group

As you can see, the design team at Branding Iron chose to really showcase the unique blend of urban vibrancy and relaxing oasis that make up NorthPoint.

www.northpointcambridge.com

Many people are not aware of the great neighborhood that NorthPoint already is and Branding Iron wanted to highlight the aspects of the area that you can find today: the condos at 1 and 2 Earhart, our beautifully Van Valkenburgh designed NorthPoint Common, and our neighboring DCR North Point Park on the Charles River.  Most of the images are photographs taken from NorthPoint and are not stock photos or renderings.  Where stock photos or renderings are used, see the plans and ideas for what the future will hold for Lechmere Square Retail and Office/Lab opportunities.

Branding Iron also re-designed our Condo website to highlight the simple beauty of the Condos and wonderful lifestyle the neighborhood and park system provide for residents.  The site now includes more images of the condos and the park, check them out under “Photo Gallery” and “NorthPoint Common.”

www.condominiumsatnorthpoint.com

We hope you enjoy living at NorthPoint as much as we do!  Please take part in our online community by sharing your photos and life at NorthPoint!

On our Facebook Page  www.facebook.com/northpointcondos

On our Twitter Page www.twitter.com/northpointcondo

AND our newest addition

Our Pinterest Page www.pinterest.com/northpointcondo

 

 

Moving Day Help

Apr.
    30th
2012

Just in time for all the new NorthPoint Condo owners moving in!  Guest post from Gentle Giant

10 Questions You NEED to Ask Before Before Hiring a Mover

The entire moving process is long, complicated, and stressful, so the last thing you want to worry about is hiring an unqualified, unprofessional moving company to move you and your family to your new home. This is why Gentle Giant Moving Company has compiled a list of 10 Questions you NEED to ask while you are researching moving companies to help with your transition into NorthPoint.  These questions will allow you to easily identify legit moving companies over other companies that cut several dangerous corners to keep their prices low.

To help, we have supplied Gentle Giant’s answers to each question.

1.) How do you select your employees? Gentle Giant has an intensive interview process, complete with a full background check and a physical endurance test to make sure the candidate will make a successful Giant.

2.) Do you provide benefits for the movers? Gentle Giant provides health and dental insurance, 401k, short and long term disability, as well as additional Health and Wellness benefits, including compensated gym membership.

3.) How many moves do you complete a year? Across our national company, Gentle Giant completes over 13,000 moves every year. This number has continued to rise as we expand across the country and work closely with Realtors and Professional Organizers in the regions we work in.

4.) If there is a problem during the move, who will be handling it? Which department, individual, or a third party? The Crew Chief’s Gentle Giant places in charge of moves are experienced, expert movers that have received extensive training. This can often times can lead to the proper handling of claims right on the spot as they happen. However, if a problem needs further attention, Gentle Giant has a highly trained, in-house Quality Control Department that professionally and diligently handles every type of claim that comes in. In most cases, claims can be handled on the phone or in person by a handy Quality Control Field Representative, who can fix, repair, or replace almost anything. If the Field Representative is unable to fix the problem, Gentle Giant will enlist an appropriate, trusted outside contractor to handle it properly.

5.) What type of estimates do you offer? We offer hourly estimates and “not to exceed” estimates for local moves.  Binding estimates are offered for interstate moves.

6.)  Do you take credit cards? Yes, as well as checks and cash.

7.) Is your moving company a member of the American Moving and Storage Association, The Better Business Bureau, or are you listed as a Pro Mover? Not only is Gentle Giant a part of the AMSA, but we were recognized by them as the Independent Mover of the Year in 2009. In all of Gentle Giant’s regions, we are members of the Better Business Bureau and the Chamber of Commerce.

8.) Does your company offer secure storage? In all of Gentle Giant’s regions, we offer affordable, secure, and fully insured storage options. Gentle Giant’s storage comes with a detailed inventory list for easy access to specific items in storage. Climate controlled storage is also available in most regions.

9.) Do you offer insurance for moving? Gentle Giant offers Full Replacement Value Insurance, Actual Value Replacement Insurance, and a Basic Liability Insurance. Insurance options are carefully explained to each customer during the booking process, and can be changed on the day of the move with the job’s Crew Chief.

10.) What makes you different from all the other movers? Gentle Giant has been a leader in the moving industry because of our intense focus on customer service, the athleticism of the crews we send out on jobs, and our 100% Money Back Guarantee. Unheard of in the industry, this Guarantee states that Gentle Giant customers are entitled to a 100% money back satisfaction guarantee for each member of their moving crew: packer, driver, local mover, or long distance mover.

We hope that this has been helpful, and if you have any additional questions about Gentle Giant in Massachusetts, please call us at 1-800-442-6863 or Request an Estimate Online.

Photo Courtesy of Gentle Giant

Give a Helping Hand

Apr.
    29th
2012

Become a local do-gooder

photo courtesy of ECBA

3rd Annual East Cambridge Clean Up Day this Saturday, May 5th

Join the East Cambridge Business Association for their annual clean-up of Cambridge Street.  They need help picking up litter and preparing tree wells for mulch.  Help make our neighborhood look great.  More information can be found on their blog: http://www.eastcambridgeba.blogspot.com/

 

NorthPoint Common

I want to give a quick “plug” to our amazing landscapers, Emanouil Brothers, Inc. Thanks to their skills and attention to detail our NorthPoint Common looks amazing.  Since we do not need to do a NorthPoint clean-up, let’s get together and focus on helping around our East Cambridge neighborhood!

 

 

 

 

Give more than a day

Want to help out in the neighborhood more?  Volunteer your time for one of The East End House’s great community programs.  They have a wide range of volunteer activities and can use your skill set!  The East End House is a great asset to the East Cambridge Community and we hope you will consider supporting them!

Have other volunteer ideas for us?  We would love to hear what our residents are doing in the community!

Cambridge Art & Frame

Apr.
    22nd
2012

Shop Local for Expert Care and Service for all your Framing needs

Just in time for Spring cleaning!  Out with drab decor and in with the new!  Spruce up your condo with this special from Cambridge Art & Frame.  Pick out some new frame colors to liven up your walls or hang up those prints you’ve been holding onto and transform your walls!

**Special 15 % off**

NorthPoint residents receive an exclusive offer until June 30th for 15% off custom picture framing.  Just give your name and condo number for the discount.

(Cannot be combined with other discounts or coupons)


Cambridge Art & Frame Services:

  • Photo Restoration
  • High-end photo / art printing
  • Memorabilia & collectable framing
  • Three dimensional & unusual item framing
  • Mirror cutting & framing

See the Maps & Prints section of the website for additional services and offers.  Find artwork (from McGaw Graphics) or maps (from Historic Map Works) and they will be sent to and framed at Cambridge Art & Frame.  With map and print order, discount framing is available – call for more information.

 

 

 

Cambridge Art & Frame is an easy 3 minute walk from NorthPoint.  The shop is located at 101 First Street, across from the CambridgeSide Galleria.  If you drive, call ahead and they will have a parking space for you!  If your artwork is oversize and too cumbersome to carry over, call ahead to see if free pick-up/ delivery is available.

 

See Cambridge Art & Frame’s website or Facebook page:

CambridgeArtandFrame.com

 

Sullivan Courthouse

Apr.
    22nd
2012

Updated info about the Courthouse Redevelopment

The Sullivan Courthouse is ready to proceed with its redevelopment bidding process, once again.  The 7 developers who submitted bids the first time around had their proposals rejected and have a new deadline of May 14, 2012 for re-submissions.  It is not clear as to why the proposals were rejected.

About the Courthouse:

  • 22 story, 595,000 sf tower
  • Only the top 4 floors are occupied
  • Jail prisoners and jail administration are the only occupants
  • Less than half a mile away from NorthPoint
  • Between NorthPoint and Kendall Square

View of the Courthouse @ Sunset from NorthPoint

Future development:

  • Will most likely include commercial space and ground floor retail
  • Some developers have proposed housing – mainly rental apartments
  • Possibly more parking
  • Will not include lab  / biotech space

Why the development is important to residents of the NorthPoint Condos:

  • Increased advocacy and support of the new Lechmere Station and Green Line Extension
  • Increased awareness for the East Cambridge neighborhood around NorthPoint
  • More amenities for East Cambridge residents
  • Potential for new shops and restaurants to move closer to NorthPoint

One of the 7 developers to submit a proposal is The HYM Investment Group, the local developer of NorthPoint.

While the state does not share proposal information and will make the final decision, they have been listening to neighbors and community groups – such as the East Cambridge Planning Team.  If there are more community meetings regarding the Courthouse, it will be posted on our facebook page – www.facebook.com/northpointcondos.