As Boston Common celebrates 15 amazing years, we asked some of the biggest and most important voices in the city to reflect on changes, triumphs and people. And, naturally, many of these superstars offer thoughts about their favorite magazine.
LINDA HOLLIDAY
President, Bill Belichick Foundation, billbelichickfoundation.org
“What is there not to love about Boston? I grew up in Nashville and love my country music hometown roots, but Boston is alive with community! As president of the Bill Belichick Foundation, I’m so grateful to our Boston faithful and their love and generosity of our annual Huddle event and our programming initiatives throughout the year—we’ve distributed more than $2 million in grants and scholarships over the years to deserving organizations and student athletes. In the 15 years that I’ve lived in Boston, I’ve seen the community join together and recover after the Boston Marathon bombing and, more recently, Bostonians singing on the streets of our beloved city during a pandemic. I love Boston Common... for 15 years, it has stayed local and fresh. And, of course, we’re all excited to see who makes The List!”
TODD LAMOTHE
Field Marketing Director, Northeast, Coldwell Banker Realty, coldwellbankerhomes.com
What do you love about Boston?
You can walk the entire city, yet people are still tied to their local neighborhoods, each with their own unique character and charm that shine—from the restaurants to the distinct architecture that identifies them.
What are the big changes you’ve seen in your industry in the past 15 years?
The ability for our great agents to use video, stunning lifestyle photography and social media has really allowed them to tell the story of home in a way that was not possible years ago.
What about big changes in Boston?
The changes in the landscape for neighborhoods like Fenway and the Seaport have been fascinating to watch, as they truly change the skyline from afar.
Favorite Boston Common memories?
Seeing how Boston Common has become part of the fabric of the city over the past 15 years has been amazing to watch, along with the extraordinary effort they’ve made recently to assist in so many of the city’s great charities.
MICHAEL CARUCCI
Executive Vice President, Gibson Sotheby's International Realty, caruccigroup.com
“Boston is the most European city in the United States and is graced by its notable architecture. I love the real estate industry because the core of our business is based on human interaction. The biggest changes in the past 15 year in our industry... first, the rise of discount brokerages. As agent splits have increased, the real estate industry has fallen into two models: either very small boutique or very large franchised operations. Also, the internet has drastically changed the way consumers purchase and sell homes. Boston has become a global destination for high- net-worth buyers. We’ve also seen record price increases and significant new developments in areas outside of Back Bay, Beacon Hill and the South End. The city has transformed into a hub of accessibility, offering the best of the live-work-play models that we strive to adopt in our daily lives. Boston Common’s content is unmatched, and they’ve built a fine reputation as a reliable source... dedicated to narrating Boston’s story.”
Photography by: Sahaj Bedi/Unsplash
