Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/134404
A bath and kitchen remodel, Cambridge, MA "along with the site immediately next door, we purchased this property to rehab and sell — until someone said to me, 'if i were you, i'd fix it up and live here myself,' which is the decision i then made." as it turned out, the builder would restore only a few of the existing rooms and completely gut the rest of the home down to the studs. in the process, Joe used his exceptional imagination and his company's capabilities to turn a classic into a crowning achievement. as usual, no detail was neglected. a large kitchen with existing, ample pantries and storage areas was fully remodeled into a showplace of a familyfriendly dining and gathering space. The three original living rooms on the main level were reconceived into a casual family room off the kitchen, a traditional, for mal liv ing room and a high-techcompatible media room. The remodel features eight working fireplaces, nine bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, and an eight-car garage to accommodate Joe's penchant for owning and caring for automobiles. Histor ica l ly sig n i f ica nt elements — such as the oak paneling; wrought-iron, forged-steel entry gate; coffered dining room ceiling; elegant Waterford crystal chandelier; and magnificent Mercer tiled foyer floor — were carefully restored or refinished. a professional landscaper completely updated the grounds, accentuating the beautifully revamped backyard and blue slate patio. Just next door is the newly constructed 9,000-square-foot residence Joe originally envisioned as a spec home, which sold immediately upon completion. " We put ever y conceivable custom feature into this project, from the grand foyer w it h her r i ngbone f loor to t he kitchen island's mahogany countertop to state-of-the-art appliances," Joe says. Ev e n t h e h o m e 's d o o r s a r e a substantial splurge. "Throughout the house, the doors are 1 3/4-inch solid wood and must weigh 100 pounds each," Joe adds. This is a prime example of how what can be awesome to customers is routinely characteristic of Metro Construction + Design. Evan designed the theater room, which Joe notes "is not just a large space with ample seating but a spectacular viewing area with fantastic lighting and acoustics that could rival some Hollywood screening rooms." in addition to working with his constr uction company, Joe is a par tner in Encore R ea lt y, a rea l estate f ir m s p e c i a l i z i ng i n a r e a s a le s , r e nt a l s and development. "The beauty of being involved in real estate as part of my business is that it keeps me attuned to the market and aware of available prime proper ties, which everyone knows are difficult to come by these days," Joe says. The real estate office opened about one year ago and, not surprisingly, received the remodeling TLC for which Metro Construction + Design is so well known. "We gutted the building and refinished BOSTON.BuilDERARChiTECT.COM Builder+Architect Greater boston | 25