PITTSFIELD, Mass. - George Whaling, the president of Whaling Properties LLC, a Pittsfield-based development company, has been named Person of the Year for 2011 by Downtown Pittsfield, Inc.
He received the honor at Downtown Pittsfield’s recent holiday party at the Colonial Theatre that was attended by more than 100 members of the organization.
The award is given annually to honor a person who has made a significant impact on downtown Pittsfield. Whaling, who owns seven key properties in the center of the city, is the largest property owner in downtown Pittsfield.
Arriving in Pittsfield in 1990, Whaling worked for SAMPCO for 10 years before he purchased the Greystone Building on the corner of North Street and Maplewood Avenue in 2001.
Within a few years he purchased three buildings across the street and carried out several significant upgrades to all of those properties. He converted one of his North Street buildings to condominiums, then sold out all of the units.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. - When Brenda Torchio moved her restaurant/catering business into the Crawford Square building seven years ago, the two-story structure on the corner of North and Depot streets needed repairs.
So four years ago, Torchio decided to renovate her spot. When she finished the project, she said: "Our space was the best-looking space in the building."
Not anymore.
"Now our space looks ratty," she said. "It's a big, big change."
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — North Street just a got a lot sexier.
This week Pittsfield Bra and Girl opened its sleek black doors to the city. So far, said co-owner April Burch, the seduction of lace, candles and business sense is working.
"The city is totally supportive," she said. "Pittsfield is coming alive. It's up to the people and the city to nurture that. It's been nothing but smooth sailing for us."
Burch attributes much of that smooth sailing to George Whaling, president of Whaling Properties, who had the 1,100-square-foot store ready to go in six weeks.
By Mark Vanhoenacker
Saturday, September 11, 2010
In western Massachusetts, three hours inland from Boston and New York, lies Berkshire County, the most beloved intersection of idyllic countryside and high culture in the US. The Berkshires – plural in reference to the region’s famously good-looking hills – have never been a secret to upper-crust urbanites. Edith Wharton welcomed guests including Henry James to The Mount, the Lenox estate that she designed. In nearby Stockbridge stands Naumkeag, the mansion of Andrew Carnegie, fin-de-siècle ambassador to the Court of St James's.
Gilded Age glitterati were drawn by the scenery and its elevation – literal and otherwise – above the crowds and steamy summers of the coastal metropolises. Today, the Berkshires are known for world-class cultural institutions such as Tanglewood, summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Clark Art Institute.
The Great Barrington store is the latest to open up shop in the resurgent Pittsfield downtown area. By Derek Gentile
Saturday, September 11, 2010
GREAT BARRINGTON -- Another South County business feels the lure of Pittsfield and is moving into a new storefront.
Bra and Girl, a lingerie and women's apparel shop, is the latest in a string of high-profile businesses to expand from Great Barrington to Pittsfield. The owners, Dan Alden and April Burch, plan to open their second location at the corner of Depot and North streets by late October.
"We want to be part of this Pittsfield resurgence," Alden said. "It's been very exciting to be up there the past few weeks. We are getting a lot of positive feedback."
Whaling Properties Hosts
General Dynamics Recruiting Team
These photographs depict General Dynamics' recent visit with Whaling Properties in their recruitment efforts. The goal between our two companies was to seek ways to integrate our efforts; for, as we strive to solve housing challenges, we also aim to work with local companies to promote the community.
Crawford Square and 344 North get a Facelift!
On November 17, a team a folks hit the both sites at 8:00 a.m. to paint, landscape, design, clean, and spruce up the buildings of Crawford Square and 344 North. Already, Whaling Properties has received commentary on the new windows at Crawford Square, only two hours after installation. The tenants at both buildings are in awe!
PITTSFIELD - Dottie's is applying for permission to have a sidewalk cafe -- the first time a business has asked for one since the city started allowing them 6 years ago.
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PITTSFIELD - Central Berkshire fans of Baba Louie's Sourdough Pizza will no longer have to drive to Great Barrington or Hudson, N. Y. for an organic pizza pie.
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PITTSFIELD -- The owner of several downtown Pittsfield properties has bought two North Street buildings, one of which he intends to renovate.
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By Tony Dobrowolski
By Nichole Dupont
Dottie's Aims to go Al Fresco
Pizza Place to Rise at Depot St.
Local Man Buys 2 North St. Buildings
Pittsfield's Word X Word Festival Takes to the Roof
Sizzling (Midweek) Nights
Action on Cinemas
Firm Gives Pittsfield Second Chance
Jae aims to add his flavor to Spice
Spice and the Beacon
Movie Cinema Now On Track
A Hangout to Savor in Downtown
Gallery Moving to Pittsfield
Living Downtown
Wireless is Adding to Allure
Condo Conversions Contribute to Downtown's Upswing
'Something Good'
Pittsfield Condos in Development