Business

Watertown Real Estate Agent Has New Home

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Chris Raveis, managing partner of William Raveis Massachusetts, is thrilled to announce the addition of Bob Airasian as Broker. In his new role, Mr. Airasian will be responsible for providing outstanding customer service and helping to further build William Raveis’ presence in Watertown and the surrounding communities. Airasian comes to William Raveis with deep industry knowledge, having been a lifelong Watertown resident and a seasoned agent in the area for the past eight years. “On behalf of the entire William Raveis family, I would like to extend my sincerest congratulations to Bob as he joins our William Raveis’ Newton Centre office,” said Raveis. “Bob and our company share many of the same values, including a focus on customer satisfaction.

Development

Town’s Design Guidelines and Standards Revealed by Consultant

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A draft of the set of requirements that guide and limit developers who build new projects in Watertown was revealed by the urban design consultants hired by the town. Last week, David Gamble of Gamble Associates discussed the proposed design guidelines and design standards that will shape how development will be done in Watertown in the future. They were presented at the third public workshop held in the past four months held during the making of the guidelines and standards. The Town Council voted to hire the consultant to address what they and many residents believed had become out of control development in Watertown. The changes were broken into nine categories: public realm interface, building massing, facade treatment, parking & access, building height, material selection, sustainable design, building setbacks and signage.

Development

CVS Project Coming Back to Zoning Board This Week

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The proposed CVS in East Watertown will come back in front of the Zoning Board of Appeals for the second time on Wednesday, Jan. 28. The last time it came before the ZBA, the meeting ran about five hours and many residents spoke against having the 13,300 square foot pharmacy at the corner of Mt. Auburn and Arlington streets. Many say it is too big for the Coolidge Square area.

Real Estate

Watertown Has Some Open Houses This Weekend

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Check out the open houses around Watertown this weekend. $579,000 – 40 Royal Unit 40, 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom townhouse, Open House: Sunday 12-1:30 p.m.

Sponsored by:

$925,000 – 75 Summer St. Unit 75, 3 bedroom, 3 full 2 half bath townhouse, Open House: Sunday 2-3:30 p.m.

Development

East End Residents Against Proposed Elm Street Hotel

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Developers of the proposed Elm Street hotel met stiff resistance to their plan from East Watertown residents who are frustrated by the increase in development in their neighborhood. The 102-room, five story hotel would be one of several projects proposed or even approved on the East End of town. The “upper, mid-range” hotel would be aimed at business travelers and would go on the former Atlantic Battery Company facility at 80 Elm St., behind Target at the Watertown Mall. Developer Cherag Patel of Elm Hospitality LLC said the hotel would not be a Red Roof Inn, as had been rumored, but he could not say which brand it would be due to a confidentiality agreement. It would be similar to a Hampton Inn or Hyatt House, and would have a pool for guests, but not restaurant or meeting space.

Business

Watertown Has a New Luxury Transportation Option

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Looking for a car to the airport or to take a group of friends to the casinos, you have a new local choice in luxury transportation. Watertown’s Darren Cummings, who has run Express Tires for 15 years, recently launched Madison Limousine Services. “I think there is a need in the area,” Cummings said. “There are not a lot of competition in Waltham, Belmont and Newton.” He looked to his family for inspiration for the name.

Business

Join the Chamber of Commerce for a Party and Networking

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Get into the spirit of the season and do some networking at the Watertown Belmont Chamber of Commerce’s Holiday Party. The party will be held on Thursday, Jan. 22 from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Plumbing Museum, 80 Rosedale Road in Watertown. Enjoy some great food and complimentary wine and beer. Tickets cost $25 for Chamber Members and $35 for non-members.