If the price is right, buyers will come
That's one lesson from the turnaround over at the Nouvelle.
The once-scorned condo tower - literally attached to the revamped Natick mall - has now sold 70 percent of its units.
I took my share of jabs at the idea of a Boston-style condo tower overlooking a suburban mall.
But I did a little more digging for a recent Globe West story on an upsurge in sales at the Nouvelle and came back with a different opinion of the project.
Maybe it wasn't the concept that was wrong - OK, I still don't want to next door to any mall, even as one as nice as the new Natick Collection - but the prices.
An auction last fall that moved dozens of units at big markdowns proved to be a catalyst, with 152 of the Nouvelle's 215 units now sold.
Two penthouses that had been on the market for $1.2 million to $1.6 million ended up trading at huge discounts, $544,000 and $545,000 respectively.
But even with the price reductions, these newly minted Nouvelle residents made clear that they liked the concept - not necessarily of living at the mall, which they are not, but of an urban oasis amid suburbia.
Sure, some actually find it fun too be within a short walk of a shoppers' paradise, but you can live at the Nouvelle and pretty much ignore the mall if you choose.
The penthouses have some pretty nice views of the greater Natick, with lots of hills, woods and trees. Yes you can see the mall, but a lot more than that as well.
That said, it is definitely not the place to move to with kids - this is all about empty nesters and couples without kids.
Condo fees are also steep - from well over $400 to more than $1,700 per month.
It's not everyone's cup of tea, but for some, the price - and lifestyle - are just right.
