Congratulations to The Commons on The Green: Now an LEED Gold Certified Apartment Community!

We are excited to announce that another community within the Corcoran family has been recognized as a leader in environmental-efficiency by the United States Green Building Council! The Commons on The Green, the sister property to 2013 LEED Silver recognized community The Commons at SouthField Highlands, has been honored with being a LEED Gold building! Throughout the planning and construction process Corcoran worked with the architects, engineers, landscape designers, and general contractors in assuring The Commons on The Green would be built to the highest environmental standards. Parkside Commons, consisting of 238-apartments in Chelsea, was the first large scale multifamily community in New England to be recognized as LEED certified back in 2009. So what makes The Commons on The Green stand out amongst the rest?

• Sustainable site design and planning to support the surrounding habitat
• Close proximity to public transportation, cutting down on automobile emissions
• Drought tolerant plantings and drip irrigation were incorporate in the outdoor landscaping to save water usage
• Within the homes, dual flush toilets, low flow devices, and water filtration were major factors in successful water usage
• Recycling programs and green cleaning practices
• Eco-friendly and energy efficient construction materials
• All appliances and lights are Energy Star rated
• Adhesives, cleaning materials, low V.O.C. paints, and carpeting were all selected with care and conservation in mind
• 100% smoke free throughout interiors and everywhere on the grounds

photo via www.hscbuilders.com

It's an honor to be recognized once again as a leader in promoting, developing, and achieving LEED certifications at new communities that Corcoran Management develops. Aside from the environmental benefits, The Commons on The Green also features luxurious features and amenities with ultimate convenience being located next to the South Weymouth MBTA Commuter Rail! 

Staying Safe During the Blizzard of 2015

image via: www.theconservativetreehouse.com

Like Cape Cod in the summer, and apple picking in the fall, a blizzard-esque storm in New England is a yearly tradition. This year is no joke either, the so-called “Blizzard of 2015” is expected to begin tonight at roughly 7:00PM and continue until 1:00AM on Wednesday. Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency is calling for all drivers to be off the road tonight and considering overnight driving as “life threatening”. Counties throughout Eastern Massachusetts can expect anywhere from 20 – 30” and possibly even more in total accumulation. South Shore and Cape Cod residents will also have to deal with extremely high and dangerous winds that could see gusts up to 65 MPH. We wanted to provide a simple checklist for how you can be prepared for the storm this year. Below are some of the suggestions from the American Red Cross on how you and your family can prepare for a storm that could last for a couple days:

Water: provide yourself with at least a 3-day supply of drinking water. One gallon per person per day

Food: at least a 3-day supply. Non-perishable, easy to prepare foods

Flashlight: A must need in case the power goes out. Also be sure to prepare with extra….

Batteries: aside from a flashlight, batteries serve a number of simple household uses

First Aid Kit: walking outside could be slippery and dangerous, it never hurts to have anti-biotics on standby

Fully-Charged Cell Phones: If the power goes out, the only source you will have left is your cell phone, which die quite frequently

Full Tank of Gas: A very underrated part of preparation. Depending on a certain storm it could serve a benefit to have a full tank in case you have to evacuate or head to a safer location at a later point

Extra Cash: Cash is king, especially in a storm. While ATMs may go down and credit card machines won’t be able to process, it never hurts to have the most simple form of currency

Warm Clothing & Gloves/Hats: Even if your heat is top-notch power outages may not allow you to use the heat. Keep warm with extra layers, a pair of gloves, and a winter hat. 

Your All-In-One Skiing Guide to New England

(image via Boston.com)

Just like lobster in the summer, pumpkin in the fall, and the start of baseball season in the spring, winter is a season that has a tradition that draws interest from many throughout the New England region. Each year, hundreds of thousands of folks hit the slopes at the many mountains throughout Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. While there are some good local skiing options nearby such as Ski Bradford and Mount Wachusett, the purest and most majestic skiing and snowboarding is done up north. We’ve put together a guide of some of the region’s favorite and go-to choices for a get-a-way weekend.

New Hampshire

Wildcat Mountain: When standing atop the 4,062-foot summit of Wildcat you might forget that you’re actually there to ski rather than sight see. Panoramas of the White Mountains and Mount Washington serve as a breathtaking backdrop for one of their 49 trails. It’s a perfect combination of beginner, intermediate, and expert trails. Also be sure to enjoy some of their warm food and cold beverages in their slope-side lounge.

Wildcat Mountain, Route 16, Pinkham Notch, NH 888-Ski-Wild

Cannon Mountain: Set right off of I-93 in Franconia, NH, Cannon Mountain is an easy-to-access yet challenging mountain that is always a great time. Relax on your way up the mountain in their tram which takes you all the way to the summit for majestic views and some of the best powder in the White Mountains. Cannon also runs a number of deals throughout the weekday for discounted lift tickets.

Cannon Mountain, 260 Tramway Drive, Franconia, NH 03580 603-823-8800

Vermont

Mount Snow: Home to one of the largest skiing landscapes in New England, Mount Snow is large enough to satisfy the most seasoned veteran and to teach a rookie the basics of going down the mountain. On the outskirts of Green Mountain National Forest and near the New York border, Mount Snow offers one of the best all-around skiing and lodging experiences. With about 100 trails and plenty of lodging it’s the perfect place to escape for the weekend.

Mount Snow, 39 Mount Snow Road, West Dover, VT 05356

Stowe Mountain Resort: For those looking for the ultimate experience that blends skiing, shopping, fine dining, spa treatments, and luxury lodging, Stowe Mountain and the town of Stowe are perfect for you. There are over 45 restaurants both on the mountain and in the town. Consistently honored nationwide as a top winter destination, you would be hard pressed to be disappointed in Stowe.

Stowe Mountain Resort, 5781 Mountain Road, Stowe, VT 05672

Maine:

Sugarloaf: Home to some of the most extreme terrain in the region, Sugarloaf offers the only lift-serviced, above-tree line skiing in the East. Designed similar to resorts in the western part of the United States, Sugarloaf offers an open-style skiing experience with wider and larger trails. Sugarloaf also presents the most unmatched back country skiing in the area.

Sugarloaf Resort, 5092 Access Road, Carrabassett Valley, ME, 04947

Sunday River: Maybe the most notable, recognized, and publicized of any mountain resort in New England, Sunday River simply has it all. Featuring 16 lifts, and 135 trails, Sunday River has enough various terrain to challenge riders of any difficulty. Also home to one of the region’s best golf courses, Sunday River offers a great variety of stay-and-ski packages for individuals and families. Plan ahead however, it’s between a 3 and 4 hour drive to get up to Sunday River.

Sunday River, 97 Summit Road, Newry, ME 04261