Project Spotlight: Full Gut Renovation and Transformation of a Single-Family Home into Three Luxury Condominiums in South Boston

This exciting project began as a single-family home situated on an underutilized rear garden lot in South Boston’s historic Thomas Park neighborhood, also known as Dorchester Heights. The property sat on a pass-through lot, and through careful planning and design, we obtained an Alteration (ALT) permit, ensuring the project avoided any zoning violations—a rare and valuable opportunity to develop “as of right” in the city of Boston.

The home underwent a true full gut renovation, and as construction progressed, we uncovered significant structural issues due to extensive rot and decay. This led us to replace more of the building’s structure than originally anticipated. Additionally, the site’s ledge presented unique challenges, given its location on the downward slope of Thomas Park, but our experienced team expertly managed the terrain.

Our work lasted approximately 11 months from start to finish, with construction costs averaging $250 per square foot in 2018. Throughout the process, we had the pleasure of working with wonderful neighbors, and the end result was the transformation of the property into three distinct luxury condominium units, each with its own unique layout.

The first unit was designed as a bi-level duplex, offering spacious living areas ideal for families or those seeking extra space. The second unit featured an open floor plan with two bedrooms and a large rear deck, maximizing outdoor space for relaxation and entertainment. The third unit shared a similar layout but also included a 360-degree roof deck, offering stunning views of the Boston skyline and the South Shore—a rare and highly coveted feature in the area.

One of the project’s standout features was the creation of a new city-approved curb cut, allowing for three deeded parking spaces, a major benefit for future condo owners in the densely populated South Boston real estate market.

In addition to the beautiful design by Context Architects, which seamlessly blended with the surrounding neighborhood, we prioritized safety and compliance. A firewallwas installed between our building and neighboring properties, and we incorporated a hard-piped sprinkler system and hard-wired fire alarms. These enhancements not only ensure the safety of the new condo owners but also offer additional protection for the entire block.

This project is a great example of how we, at Abacus Builders, excel at turning historical properties into modern luxury residences while preserving the character of Boston’s iconic neighborhoods. We take pride in our ability to complete projects “as of right,” balancing innovation with community needs and safety.

Please check out our Youtube video to see this project being constructed in time lapse format. Wonderful video that shows how this is done.