On The Market: Ritz Carlton condo with designer upgrades for $655K
After purchasing their unit in May 2013, the only work the owners needed to do was cosmetic. They installed custom closets, designer glass door panels and lighting and had designer wallpaper hung.
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Brett Mateo and his wife Kristina wanted to downsize from their home in Chestnut Hill without compromising their city lifestyle. A condo in the Residences at the Ritz Carlton on South Penn Square offered city amenities and a closer commute for Brett.
"We are at the center of it all and the view is awesome," he said. "It is two and a half blocks to my office – a 3-minute walk in lieu of a 30-50 minute drive."
Their one-bedroom unit includes an en-suite master with soaking tub, a gourmet kitchen with Viking, Miele and Sub-Zero appliances and motorized window shades.
Plus, there are the Residence-level amenities.
"The Residences at the Ritz Carlton are like living in a five-star hotel," Mateo said.
Association fees at the unit include access to 24-hour concierge service and a residents-only terrace as well as the gym and pool. Chauffeur service via Bentley and Escalade is also included.
"We go to breakfast or a show and dinner, walk the streets, sit in the park, take the car to the Art Museum," Mateo said. "But with a convenience the suburbs just cannot provide."
After purchasing their unit in May 2013, the only work the Mateos needed to do was cosmetic. They installed custom closets, designer glass door panels and lighting and had designer wallpaper hung.
Mateo said their life in the Residences has helped connect them to the city.
"As long-time Philly residents, we are thrilled to see the vibrancy of the city and even contribute to it," he said. "We feel like we are living life – participating – and the condo provides the platform for all that exploration."
And while the couple has enjoyed their views of City Hall, Mateo said the time has come to consider moving again. As he is working increasingly from the couple's shore home, he said it's time to relocate to the state where he and his wife were raised.
"In short, we are moving 'home,'" he said.
But the decision is still not an easy one.
"Hour by hour we alternate between thinking we should hold onto the unit forever and thinking it is just time to focus on our beach house."
The home is listed by Andy Oei for $655,000.