30 East Rd, Alford. Image courtesy of Berkshire Multi-Detail Services and Stone Home Properties.
An $8,000,000 property is the most expensive property for sale in the Berkshire MLS.
Alford– Perched on Alford Hill sits a fairytale home straight out of the Cotswolds or Tudor England. The Magical Handmade House It was built in 2011 by John W. Littlechild and his wife, A. Ruth Littlechild, with a stone-clad English guest house, garage and the quintessential red barn.
The property was recently acquired by Kenneth A. Rosen and Lisa A. Rosen of Boca Raton, Fla. Purchased for $8,000,000. This is believed to be the most expensive property ever sold by the multiple listing service in the Berkshires. Realtor Nikki Carchedi at Stone House Properties was both the listing agent and the selling agent.
Mr. Rosen is the founder and CEO of Boca Raton’s Infinity Sales Group, a telecom and broadband services company. However, the Rosens are no strangers to buying and selling real estate. According to The Wall Street Journal, they built a waterfront mansion in Miami Beach that went on the market in 2017 for $22.5 million. And according to Mansion Global, their Mediterranean-style home in Boca Raton, Florida is listed for $14.8 million in July 2021. In July 2021.
When asked by The Berkshire Edge what drew him to the Berkshires, Mr. Rosen replied that he knows the Berkshires well. A former New York native, he discovered western Massachusetts when he came to Springfield to attend American International College. He and his wife have many friends in the Rhinebeck family and area. They look forward to learning more about the area and enjoying what it has to offer.
The property in Alford is amazing. The main house is shaded by trees and has a mile-long driveway with sweeping views of the surrounding hills. The 16-room home totals 9,280 square feet and sits on 71.59 acres.
The guesthouse has an additional 2 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. A pool house complete with spa and wood-burning fireplace sits next to a Gunite infinity pool with spectacular views. Traditional English gardens and raised beds enhance the property which connects the enclosed grounds with footpaths and walkways.
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Berkshire Money Management announces new hires and promotions
Dalton– Berkshire Money Management, a boutique advisory firm with offices in Dalton and Great Barrington, welcomes Brenda Bailey and Tina Archambault as client care specialists. The two new hires expand the customer care team led by Chelsea Smith, recently promoted to lead customer specialist. All three employees play a critical role in providing focused, personalized service to Berkshire Money Management clients.
As part of the client care team, both Arkhamgalt and Bailey assist with client onboarding, scheduling, opening and servicing accounts, facilitating account transactions, building strong relationships and assisting clients with their day-to-day service needs.
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Berkshire Area Action Group to launch expanded Berkshire Green Drinks
Pittsfield– After hosting the monthly Pittsfield Green Drinks event for 15 years, the Berkshire Environmental Action Group (Beat) is expanding its Green Drinks event from Pittsfield to the county and making it ‘Berkshire Green Drinks’. Before the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, Pittsfield green drinks were only available at a restaurant or bar in Pittsfield. Beginning in 2023, BEAT will begin moving its in-person meetings to different cities in Berkshire County each month. They are also changing monthly events to the second Wednesday of each month instead of the third Tuesday.
The first Berkshire Green Drinks will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 11, at 6 p.m. Williamstown Rural Lands Executive Director Robin Sears will talk about the local land trust’s mission, operations and activities. She describes the ways in which our natural environment and local demographics are changing and considers management options for land managers to respond to and anticipate the needs of ecological resilience. Pre-registration is required to participate in the virtual presentation.
Register at tinyurl.com/Jan2023-Berk-Green-Drinks
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Strong Little Souls will receive a donation from Talking Rain Beverage Company.
Pittsfield– Talking Rain Beverages Company, maker of Sparkling Ice® beverages, announced the three winning charities of its second annual holiday giving initiative, Cheers to Giving, nonprofit organizations making a difference in their communities. This fall, the brand asked Sparkling Ice fans to vote for their favorite 501c3 nonprofit organization to be selected as one of three recipients of a $50,000 donation from Sparkling Ice. After receiving many nominations, Talking Rain is honored to award Strong Little Souls, Beautiful Spirited Women, and Us as program winners to support the continued inspiring work of these organizations.
Each serving a vital and valuable purpose for families, children and women across the country, the three organizations are collectively recognized for their impact and commitment to giving back to their communities. Strong Little Soul helps families with critical expenses to brighten up children’s battles with cancer through care packages.
Learn more about Pittsfield-based Tough Little Insects.
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New short-term rental property registration requirements for Great Barrington
Great Barrington— Great Barrington will begin contacting short-term rental (STR) property owners who must comply with new STR registration requirements in early 2023.
The registration process is expected to begin Jan. 1, but City Manager Mark Pruhensky said it will take some time to set up online registration. Pruhensky said property owners who are registered will be contacted by mail with the city.
A registration fee schedule will also be developed by the city.
A new city ordinance passed this year places restrictions on short-term rental businesses in the city. The city has contracted with an outside company called GovOS to register properties that fall under the new regulations. Those assets are now identified using technology provided by GovOS. The City’s Short Term Rental (STR) Bylaw is available here. City contact for STR matters will be City Health Supervisor Stephen Browning.
