pjbooks Chapter 363: The Garden of Light Opening Sales Boom, Boston Story Temporarily Concluded.
Chapter 363: The Garden of Light Opening Sales Boom, Boston Story Temporarily Concluded.
Chapter 363: The Garden of Light Opening Sales Boom – The Boston Story Comes to a Temporary End.
August 14th, Sunday evening.
The "Super Apartment" project at the Garden of Light in the Back Bay area has started its public reception and IPO.
The invited guests were surprised that a cocktail party would be held at this super apartment project that evening. But as night fell, the Charles River skyline was outlined in a hazy yet dazzling manner by gaslights and new arc lamps.
The guests arrived at the venue almost by following the lights.
Right on the banks of the Charles River in the Back Bay, the foundations of a massive complex have already been laid. However, the foundations are completely hidden by tall fencing.
Right next to the real estate project stands a huge GG sign with an artist's rendering of the seven-story Garden of Light apartment building.
The visiting guests all stopped their carriages in front of this huge sign and stopped to look at it.
This residential project, consisting of several high-rise buildings, greatly surprised the guests. They couldn't believe that such a real estate project existed in the world.
The GG sign also includes the text: "The Garden of Light, the Future Home of America! Please visit the show flat at the main entrance for specific floor plans."
The guests, half believing and half doubting, boarded the carriage and circled around to the main gate.
The main entrance is a model room with a towering spire, as tall as a typical church, with the beautiful light of arc lamps shining on the walls of this tall model room.
This is neither a traditional brownstone terraced house nor the independent estate that nobles are proud of. It is entirely constructed of light-colored sandstone with cast iron window frames, and huge glass windows reflect the light.
The entire building was brightly lit, with hundreds of Edison light bulbs lit simultaneously, as if freezing daylight into night. Against this backdrop, the apartment's novel design language greatly surprised the guests.
"Please come this way, guests!"
At the entrance of the real estate project, waiters held signs to direct traffic, and carriages belonging to Boston's high society arrived one after another. Guests dropped off at the building entrance and then drove to the designated parking lot.
The Lowell family, the Lawrence family, the Adams family, the Lodge family, and the emerging Kennedy family—these are names that are worthy of being written into the history of New England—are now stepping into this "future apartment" with a mixture of curiosity and doubt.
Inside the show flat, crystal chandeliers hang down, a champagne tower stands high, and waiters in black suits move about carrying silver platters.
The air was filled with the scent of cedarwood and French perfume. At the outermost edge of the lobby was an exquisitely constructed miniature model of the "Garden of Light" project, accurately displaying the location of the development and specific information about the property.
At this time, this method of replicating the layout of a property using a model was unprecedented. Guests could clearly see the entire project layout and unit types at a glance.
"—The building closest to the Charles River that you can see is the king of buildings!"
An Italian young man is enthusiastically hawking his wares.
"What is a 'King of Buildings'?" a VIP asked hurriedly.
"This is the most upscale building in the project. It is the king of these luxury apartments, overlooking the Charles River, and boasts the best views and location."
The young man, who had received specialized training, answered earnestly and with great enthusiasm.
On the other side of the building model, another real estate agent was pointing at the building with a thin metal strip, explaining, "Yes! This is a two-unit-per-floor design—yes, sir, we will be using the most advanced steam elevators in this building."
A guest recognized Mr. Porter, the former general manager of the Boston Securities branch, and hurried over to greet him.
"Mr. Potter, you're back from New York? Did you come all the way back?"
Mr. Potter returned the greeting with equal politeness, "Yes, Mr. Rocky. I would also like to see this new apartment building, which is said to be changing the way future housing is built."
"My God, is it really that amazing?" a guest exclaimed.
Before Mr. Potter could answer, a handsome young man walked up to the front of the show flat and said to everyone, "Ladies and gentlemen, good evening! My name is Matthew, and tonight I will have the honor of showing you the realistic show flat of the Garden of Light."
Matthew began by introducing a miniature model: "Our building closest to the Charles River is our 'King of Buildings'—the Pillar of Light! It stands eight stories high, with only three units per floor, and is the crown jewel of the entire project. At its top, I designed a viewing salon so that residents can enjoy panoramic views of the Boston skyline."
Flanking the main building are the six-story Charles Wing and Garden Wing, like loyal guardians protecting the main structure. The Charles Wing, facing the Charles River, boasts expansive viewing balconies, while the Garden Wing offers private spaces for relaxation. Each floor of both buildings houses six apartments, and the carefully designed layout ensures that every apartment enjoys sunlight and stunning views.
Facing the street is our city wing, with sophisticated shops on the ground floor and upstairs boutique residences designed for urban elites. These units are slightly smaller, but the amenities are in no way compromised, making them ideal for single professionals and newlyweds.
What I'm most proud of is our service system. The three-story service building houses the boiler room, laundry room, staff dormitories, and carriage parking area. Through a cleverly designed underground passageway, service personnel can deliver food directly to residents without passing through the residential area.
Mail is delivered to every household, allowing you to enjoy hotel-level service without leaving home.
Please look at this irregular octagonal courtyard in the center—it's the soul of the entire courtyard! I asked Mr. Sullivan to use terracotta relief to outline the patterns of vines and leaf veins, and designed a special angle of reflection so that the low-angle winter sunlight can shine through the glass dome onto the corridors of each floor.
Matthew's words drew everyone's attention. They held champagne and moved away from the model to look at him.
"Next, let's go to the model apartment to see what the actual delivered apartment will look like."
Matthew smiled and pushed open the two brass doors, instantly revealing a luxurious, sophisticated, and meticulously decorated showroom.
Matthew led everyone to the living room of the show flat, where the furnishings differed from traditional ones. Instead, they exuded a futuristic comfort and a unique kind of luxury.
The living room design no longer centers around the fireplace, but instead prioritizes functionality for both views and family comfort. Carpets, sofas, and high-backed chairs create a new type of furniture area centered around the human element.
Matthew pointed to the telephone on the table and said to everyone, "We've abandoned the brass telephone line; all calls are now made by telephone. You can connect it to the living room or the shower room, whichever is more convenient for you."
In the bathroom demonstration, Matthew turned on the tap, and clear hot water gushed out.
"It's hot water?" a female guest asked curiously.
"Yes, 20 hours of constant hot water ensures you can shower anytime. We only perform boiler and pipe maintenance between 2 PM and 6 PM. Otherwise, you can simply turn on the tap for a hot shower."
"Isn't there a fireplace here? How do we keep warm in winter?" someone asked.
"In winter, we have heating; in summer, we have automatic ventilation. For gentlemen, we can even design an additional ventilation system for a cigar room!" Matthew replied.
The bedroom design is more cozy, without the elaborate decorations of the Gilded Age, but instead offers a fully functional and livable solution.
"Attention, ladies and gentlemen! Our apartment project is primarily designed for residential use. All our floors are designed to be non-slip—carpets run from the living room to under the bed, leaving no easy places to trip—this is especially beneficial for the elderly!"
Matthew continued his explanation.
"Oh, they're all products from Davenport and Sloan!" A guest with a keen eye immediately recognized these two home furnishing service providers in New York that specialize in designing homes for the wealthy elite.
Larry stood on the stage, waiting for everyone to emerge from the model apartment. Today's event was specifically for Boston's wealthy residents, so the number of attendees was relatively limited.
The guests' enthusiasm clearly exceeded expectations. Larry waited on stage for a full fifteen minutes before seeing the group of wealthy guests, still reluctant to leave, exit the show flat under Matthew's guidance.
"Please, everyone, take your seats and rest!" Larry said to everyone with a smile.
In the stands, everyone's eyes lit up at the sight of a handsome young man with blond hair, dressed in an expensive evening suit.
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"My name is Larry Livingston, and I'm the project manager. For a long time, I've been committed to giving my fellow Bostonians a vision of the future—and if you're sitting here, you can hear my story."
After all the guests were seated, Larry smiled and said, "You might be wondering why I would book an apartment like this when I already own a house? But what I want you to enjoy is: hotel-level service without leaving home!"
Next, Larry began to list the drawbacks of traditional housing: "Gentlemen, as you know, the most expensive thing in Boston right now isn't the houses, but the cost of maintaining them—"
As he spoke, Larry pointed to a corner of the showroom, where a simple set simulated a typical house, with an old servant clumsily adding firewood to the fireplace.
"—Look at this gentleman, he spends three hours every day burning charcoal, starting fires, and cleaning up ashes. And he serves an estate that requires ten servants to manage—"
This old man was a 19th-century version of "PowerPoint" that Larry had specially arranged.
At this point, Larry turned to look at everyone, his face filled with regret.
"Your mansion is a cage where servants confine you. In winter, the fireplace burns red-hot, but the bathroom water is still ice-cold. You have to wait an hour in front of the fire for a hot bath—"
At this point, Larry strode into the bathroom of the demonstration room, opened the window, and turned on the tap.
"And here—" Larry raised his voice as hot water gushed out, continuing, "20 hours of constant hot water, you just need to turn it on, and it'll be ready for you—"
Larry returned to the presentation table, turned to look at everyone, and continued, "Before, your servants played the roles of butler, driver, cook, cleaner—which made your mansion seem more welcoming. But they also greatly encroached on your privacy. But here—"
Larry pointed to the demonstration room and said with a smile, "You can enjoy your life as it is. If you need any services, just press a button. Whether it's housekeeping, food delivery, laundry, or gardening, we'll take care of it all for you."
After he finished speaking, a low murmur of discussion arose from the audience.
Larry employed a presentation style reminiscent of Steve Jobs, first listing the shortcomings of traditional housing and then demonstrating the conveniences of the new lifestyle.
While the guests found the display method somewhat unconventional, they also appreciated its novelty. The display itself, in particular, was very intuitive and left a lasting impression.
Larry smiled and waited for the murmurs to subside before continuing, "We're not selling apartments, we're selling a lifestyle. A more convenient and comfortable lifestyle."
In your new apartment, you don't need to be reserved or constantly maintain a respectable image in the eyes of others; you can simply enjoy life quietly.
Others will only get involved in your life when you need them.
Your manor needs to be overgrown with weeds, waiting for the wind and snow. But here, you only need to open the window—”
Larry slowly pushed open the glass window facing the Charles River. Once the window was open, the lights, the moonlight, and the river unfolded before the guests—
"—The river, the moonlight, the city lights, all are right before your eyes!"
After Larry finished speaking, whispers rippled through the room once again.
Larry suddenly raised his voice, "Boston in 1892 was still living the way of the 18th century. The Garden of Light, on the other hand, was a home in 1900."
We illuminate every corner with Edison's light bulbs, and warm every bathroom with constant-temperature hot water. When it's cold, we have central heating! When it's hot, we have the latest electric fans.
Whenever you need any service, whether it's the apartment staff or your personal maid, they'll be at your doorstep within a phone call. That's why I say this isn't just a new house, it's a new life you've never imagined.”
The crowd murmured again; clearly, Larry's story struck a nerve. These people, surrounded by servants and attendants, sometimes turned life into a ritual.
Even if someone truly enjoys being surrounded by admirers, sometimes they can't help but feel tired of putting on airs.
No one would refuse a more comfortable and private space.
These wealthy individuals found resonance in Larry's story.
Larry stepped forward and continued addressing the crowd, "Ladies and gentlemen, today I want to ask you a question: Do you want to continue being the masters of the plantation, or do you want to be the masters of your lives?"
The entire room fell silent as people carefully considered the question.
Larry didn't wait for a reply, but instead smiled and continued, "The Garden of Light, it's more than just an apartment. It's the future, and the future doesn't need to wait."
He walked to the door of the model apartment, tapped on the door with his finger, and continued with a smile, "Right now, right here."
Now! Right here.
Now! Right here!
The same words were repeated three times. The overlapping emphasis of the three times created a captivating power in the speech.
The guests, who were moved by the gesture, burst into thunderous applause.
"Great! I think this is something I can consider. I need a place to relax in the city."
"I need a quiet place to read."
"There are two days every month when I want to be alone for a while."
"I've been missing a card and chess room for a long time. If it's this convenient and comfortable, I wouldn't mind getting one."
The crowd was buzzing with discussion.
At this point, Mr. Potter stood up again and asked another question on everyone's behalf, "But the house isn't finished yet, is it?"
"You've hit the nail on the head! I admit, it's an off-plan property, an apartment that will be built later." Larry smiled and gestured for the other person to sit down before continuing, "But it also offers convenience in terms of subscription. You only need to pay a reservation deposit to place your order. When the apartment is actually handed over, you pay the remaining amount. This way, it will be much easier for VIPs to raise funds in the end—"
Amidst the lively discussion, Larry seized the opportunity to explain the Garden of Light's investment plan to everyone.
"Ladies and gentlemen, today's subscribers enjoy the privileges of founding shareholders—two years of free property management fees and priority in choosing their floors."
At this moment, Mr. Wallace suddenly stood up and asked, "—Is this the same equity investment model as the Darkta Apartments?"
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“Yes, sir!” Larry nodded. “The residents are nominally shareholders, but in reality, they own the permanent right to use their apartments. This way, you avoid a significant amount of property taxes, while the apartment company is required to provide services. Service fees and other miscellaneous charges are much cheaper than property taxes —”
A man stood up from among the distinguished guests, and everyone couldn't help but look at him. It was Patrick Kennedy, a senator from Massachusetts and a rising star in Boston.
"I'll buy them! Just these two on the top floor. What do you guys call this? The king of the building, right? I've been wanting a place to stay in the city for a long time."
After he finished speaking, all the wealthy people were eager to try their luck.
The first batch of apartments at Courtyard of Light were quickly snapped up by Boston's wealthy residents.
The following days will focus on selling ordinary properties to senior white-collar workers and academics.
Since Boston's wealthy had already snapped up a batch of exclusive apartments, these white-collar workers and academics also took the opportunity to snap up other apartments.
People were attracted not only to the lifestyle Larry described, but also to the conveniences they had never experienced before.
Larry's previous assessment of modern millionaires was correct; people's lives may seem luxurious now, but they really are living in the 18th century.
People worth tens of millions of dollars may still need to warm themselves around a fireplace in winter.
In the manor, having access to hot water at any time is a luxury.
Then you bring them a home from the next century—"ups and downstairs, electric lights and telephones," or "a home with 20 hours of hot water —"
Even the rich would go crazy for it!
For white-collar workers and academics, being able to live in the same community as these wealthy individuals is something to be proud of.
"Light Garden Real Estate Development Company" was officially established, and every prepayment for a house became a prepayment equity investment in the real estate company.
After a week-long sales period, Larry's property had already sold 80% of its units. The payments were all pre-sale deposits, totaling just over $60, but the credit behind them was enough to leverage one side of the investment.
Larry then mortgaged the project to First National Bank of Boston.
The bank had been paying close attention to this highly anticipated property development for some time. Although they were quite surprised to hear Larry's mortgage loan proposal, they quickly seized this new type of real estate loan opportunity.
Based on the property project and the funds already raised for the project, the bank approved a credit line of US$260 million.
Larry specifically stipulated that the loan would be injected into the project in four installments, every six months. This way, the overall loan interest rate could be lowered as much as possible during the period of declining loan interest rates next year.
In short, apart from the initial $20,000 investment and the subsequent injection of $60,000 in legal gambling profits, Larry didn't put in much more money into this project.
Everything was paid for by the residents and the bank.
The subsequent construction phase of the project was mainly managed by Mr. K and Van der Lip. However, project management required someone who was both conscientious and skilled in management.
This person cannot be Mr. K or Matthew; it would be best to have a diligent third party.
However, Larry already had someone in mind.
At the end of August, Larry gained a younger sister. After returning to Holliston to visit his parents, Larry made a special trip to visit the Duncan family's old butler.
The old butler also took Duncan as his surname, the same as his former master's. His name was Kerry Duncan.
Mr. Duncan was extremely surprised when he heard that Larry had invited him to be the general manager of the real estate company.
"—Why do you need someone like me so much? I'm just an ordinary estate manager—now just an ordinary farmer."
Mr. Duncan thought for a long time, then added, "In fact, I spent less than a week in Boston in total. Mr. Livingston, I'm just a farmer—"
Larry laughed and said, "Mr. Duncan! Real estate isn't as complicated as you think. Just like when you were a housekeeper, you just need to keep an eye on the projects."
"But why me?" Duncan asked again.
"Because of your noble character, sir. Your loyalty to your former master has deeply moved me." Larry made no attempt to hide his thoughts.
Ultimately, Duncan accepted the offer.
Larry went out the door, turned around, and mounted his horse.
Dunbar, who was on horseback nearby, asked.
"Larry, everything's over here—where are you going next? Yale in New Haven?"
Larry thought for a moment, glanced westward, and said with a smile, "There's one more thing to finish—the spring wheat is ready for harvest! There's still a battle to fight in the wheat futures market."
"To Chicago?" Dunbar asked.
"Yes! Let's call Matthew and go together!" Larry said with a smile.
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