A Bay Village Rectory Is Being Converted to Condos

Meet the Marc.

By Madeline Bilis· 9/7/2017, 11:04 a.m.

Rendering courtesy of Ricardo Rodriguez/Coldwell Banker

Boston’s smallest neighborhood doesn’t squeeze in new housing very often. In fact, until recently, multiple condo buildings proposed for Bay Village over the past 10 years failed. But come late 2018, the former Marist rectory of Our Ladies of Victory Church on Isabella Street will reopen as a luxury residences.

The converted rectory—to be called the Marc—will offer just nine ultra-luxe units. The low number “maintains that intimacy, which is what’s so beautiful about Bay Village,” says Ricardo Rodriguez, the exclusive listing agent for the properties.

Rodriguez says the condos will be organized into two stacks: one with four two-bedroom homes, all ranging from 1,800 to 2,000 square feet, and the other with five three-bedroom homes, which will reach up to 2,400 square feet. Their price tags start at $2 million and top out at $3.8 million.

A basement garage will supply each condo with two parking spaces, and a central elevator will provide direct access to every unit except for the two on the first floor. Both penthouse units will have roof decks.

The French Renaissance-style building dates back to 1883. Boutique real estate development firm New Boston Ventures purchased the church and its rectory from the Marist Fathers of Boston for $11.4 million last month. Rodriguez says the rectory’s renovation, to be completed by Zephyr Architects, aims to maintain the feel of the neighborhood.

The building’s interiors will be designed by Alina Wolhardt of Wolf in Sheep Design and furnished by Roche Bobois. Master bathrooms are set to be outfitted with marble basketweave floors and Shaker-style cabinets. Each unit will have a gas fireplace, as well as the ability to control climate, lighting, and sound systems through smart home integration.

“Projects like this are always very exciting,” says Rodriguez, who marketed the converted church condos at the Lucas in the South End. “What they do is bring back a splendor to these beautiful buildings. As long as developers are mindful of what they are building, [conversion projects] are great additions to these neighborhoods.”

The Marc, 25-29 Isabella Street, Boston, themarcboston.com.