Biz Briefs: Sotheby's International Sets Record in Berkshire County with Highest Sale Since 2013
Charming cottage: William Pitt Sotheby's International Realty has announced the record sale of a 6,934 square-foot mansion in Lenox, Mass. – the highest sale in the region since 2013. The Federal-style home was listed and sold by Lenox agent Dan Alden for $3,575,000.
This property, "Thistlewood," was part of the famous "Berkshire Cottage" mansions, about 75 of which were built in Lenox and Stockbridge, Mass., during the Gilded Age in the late 19th century. Throughout this time, the wealthiest families in the country built these impressive mansions not only in the Berkshires, but also Newport, R.I. and Bar Harbor, Maine. The home at 151 Walker St. resides on close to 13 acres of land and was built in 1880 by architects Rotch & Tilden, a well-known Boston firm in the 1880s and 1890s.
Contemporary amenities abound in the home, which has been meticulously restored and updated for a modern lifestyle, featuring 10 bedrooms and eight and a half bathrooms. The property is within walking distance to Lenox village and Tanglewood, convenient to all Berkshire attractions, and is just two and a half hours from the New York and Boston metro areas. The grounds wrap the house with stately gardens, a pool and a pool house. Also, the original carriage house has been reinvented as a four-bedroom guest house. Other amenities include an alarm system, four fireplaces and a sun room.
One-stop shopping: Haddad Dealerships of the Berkshires is partnering with MountainOne Insurance Agency to offer onsite insurance sales, according to a joint announcement by Haddad Dealerships President George Haddad and MountainOne Insurance President Jonathan Denmark.
The strategic partnership allows MountainOne agents to sell personal insurance products within Haddad Dealership locations. Vehicle buyers will be able to work directly with MountainOne's licensed agents during a purchase in a seamless and integrated process. While obtaining vehicle insurance, buyers will also have the opportunity to review other policy needs with MountainOne’s representative, and take advantage of available multi-policy discounts. Clients will also be able to utilize the important in-house claims service at MountainOne Insurance, which provides personal assistance with the difficult and complex claims process, should the need arise.
Denmark said he will launch the partnership program with several agents onsite at Haddad's East Street locations.
Making an impact: Berkshire Bank has joined IMPACT 2030 as a collaborating partner. IMPACT 2030 is a private sector led initiative in collaboration with the United Nations and other stakeholders to leverage human capital investments through employee volunteer programs to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Launched in 2015 and signed by 193 world leaders, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals look to end hunger, poverty, improve quality education and address climate action across the globe.
IMPACT 2030 directly addresses those goals at the local, national and regional level by facilitating private sector participation through corporate volunteer programs and providing multiple opportunities for engagement and participation. Berkshire Bank joins Google, UPS, IBM, Southwest Airlines, Johnson & Johnson amongst others and is one of the only small-medium sized U.S. based enterprises currently represented in the collaborative.
In addition to joining as a collaborating partner, the bank and IMPACT 2030 also announced that Gary Levante, Berkshire's assistant vice president/community engagement, has been named the regional voice lead for the effort in New England. In his role, he will help elevate awareness of IMPACT 2030, convene stakeholders across the region and serve as a representative to the collaborative. Levante first joined Berkshire in 2010 and manages many of the company's corporate responsibility programs including its nationally acclaimed corporate volunteer program. He's recognized for his expertise in corporate employee engagement and volunteer programs and has been invited to speak throughout the United States.
