About Crescent Realty Company · Boston
Crescent Realty Company Inc. is a privately held, full-service real estate brokerage and property management firm headquartered in Boston's historic Beacon Hill neighborhood at 85 Charles Street. Founded in 1972, the company owns and manages dozens of apartment buildings throughout Beacon Hill and the surrounding Boston area, offering a large rotating inventory of rentals and a selection of Beacon Hill condominiums for sale. The firm is led by owner Ladd M. Martin Jr., with John F. Meskell III as Managing Broker, and serves both tenants and condo buyers with a tenant-first approach.
Crescent Realty Company Inc. has operated as a Beacon Hill institution for more than five decades, since its founding in 1972. Headquartered in the heart of Beacon Hill at 85 Charles Street, the firm owns and manages dozens of apartment buildings throughout Boston, giving it one of the largest centralized inventories of Beacon Hill rentals in the city. Its rental portfolio spans studios, one-bedrooms, and larger units on streets like Charles, Myrtle, Irving, Cambridge, and Derne, with rents ranging from around $1,950 to $3,000+ per month; most include heat and hot water, and the company offers a mix of half-broker-fee and no-fee apartments. In addition to rentals, Crescent Realty represents Beacon Hill condos and investment properties for sale, including units such as 286 Cambridge Street and 32 Derne Street (a.k.a. 'The Whitwell'). The team is led by owner Ladd M. Martin Jr., with John F. Meskell III serving as Managing Broker, Jeff Meskell overseeing daily property maintenance, and rental/sales agents Tyler Benner and Jackson Hines. The firm emphasizes a tenant-focused philosophy, fast maintenance response, and direct deal-making for condo buyers. Annual revenue is reported around $35 million.
- In business
- Since 1972 (over 50 years)
- Owner
- Ladd M. Martin Jr (Owner); John F. Meskell III (Managing Broker)
- Serves
- Boston's Beacon Hill neighborhood and greater Boston, Massachusetts — including Charles Street, Myrtle Street, Irving Street, Cambridge Street, and Derne Street corridors
- Rating
- Approximately 3.2/5 on Yelp (6 reviews) per Unilocal; 4.1/5 on Trustburn (7 reviews); 9 reviews on Yelp referenced by hoursfinder
About Crescent Realty
Crescent Realty Company Inc. is a privately held Beacon Hill real estate brokerage and property management firm founded in 1972. The agency is headquartered at 85 Charles Street in the heart of Beacon Hill and specializes in owning and managing a large portfolio of apartment buildings throughout the neighborhood and surrounding parts of Boston. With daily-changing inventory, the company aims to be a one-stop shop for renters and condo buyers seeking property in one of Boston's most historic districts.
- Founded 1972
- Privately held
- Reported annual revenue ~$35 million
- Specializes in Beacon Hill apartment rentals and condo sales
Beacon Hill Apartments for Rent
Crescent Realty maintains one of the largest centralized inventories of Beacon Hill apartments for rent in Boston. Its owned and managed buildings supply much of the rental inventory, which changes daily. The portfolio includes studios and one-bedrooms on iconic streets like Charles, Myrtle, Irving, Cambridge, and Derne, with rents typically starting around $1,950 per month. Most units include heat and hot water, and tenants are responsible only for electricity and cable/internet.
- 98 Charles Street Unit #4 (studio)
- 82 Charles Street Unit #2F
- 12 Irving Street
- 99 Myrtle Street Unit #6
- 26 Myrtle Street Unit #15
Broker Fees and Rental Policies
Crescent Realty offers both no-fee apartments and standard half-broker-fee rentals. According to the company's FAQ, the typical broker fee is one-half month's rent, and tenants are responsible only for electric and cable/internet — heat and hot water are generally included. These policies make the firm competitive for tenants searching in a high-rent Boston market.
- Broker fee typically one-half month's rent
- Many no-fee apartments available
- Heat and hot water usually included
- Tenant pays electric and cable/internet
Beacon Hill Property for Sale (Condos & Investments)
Beyond rentals, Crescent Realty actively lists Beacon Hill condominiums and investment properties for sale through its Boston MLS service. Listings have ranged from around $499,500 for entry-level units such as 286 Cambridge Street #3 up to $3,599,000 for premier properties like 32 Derne Street #2C at 'The Whitwell' across from Mass General Hospital. The brokerage assists clients with all aspects of a condo purchase.
- 286 Cambridge Street #3 — listed at $499,500
- 32 Derne Street #2C ('The Whitwell') — listed at $3,599,000
- Investment property opportunities in Beacon Hill
- Full condo purchase assistance from licensed brokers
The Crescent Realty Team
Crescent Realty's leadership combines long-tenured ownership with active day-to-day brokerage and maintenance staff. Owner Ladd M. Martin Jr oversees the company, John F. Meskell III serves as Managing Broker running the Charles Street brokerage, and Jeff Meskell handles daily operations and property maintenance. Rental and sales agents Tyler Benner and Jackson Hines work directly with prospective tenants and buyers from the 85 Charles Street office.
- Ladd M. Martin Jr — Owner
- John F. Meskell III — Managing Broker
- Jeff Meskell — Property Manager / daily operations & maintenance
- Tyler Benner — Rental and Sales Agent
- Jackson Hines — Rental and Sales Agent (based at 85 Charles Street)
Office Location & Hours
The Crescent Realty office is located in the heart of Beacon Hill at 85 Charles Street, Suite 1, Boston, MA 02114 — easily accessible to residents searching for apartments throughout the neighborhood. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, and weekend showings are available by appointment.
- Address: 85 Charles Street, Suite 1, Boston, MA 02114
- Phone: 617-723-1900
- Email: [email protected]
- Hours: Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm; Sat-Sun by appointment
Tenant Experience & Reviews
Reviews of Crescent Realty on third-party sites such as Yelp and Trustburn are mixed, reflecting the typical range of experiences with large urban landlords. Some long-term tenants praise the firm for responsive maintenance and respectful relationships, while other reviewers cite slow responses to heating and common-area issues. Agents mentioned positively by name in reviews include Joe (Stinson) for honest, low-pressure apartment search help.
- Yelp rating ~3.2/5 (6 reviews via Unilocal)
- Trustburn rating 4.1/5 (7 reviews)
- Long-term tenant reviews highlight responsive maintenance
- Some reviewers mention slow heat turnaround and limited proactive communication
Frequently Asked Questions
Crescent Realty publishes FAQ answers directly on its website addressing common renter questions about fees, included utilities, and condo buying help. The firm confirms that yes, they can help with all aspects of a Beacon Hill condo purchase, and they generally handle most costs other than electric and cable/internet for their rentals.
- Do you have a rental fee? — Typically one-half month's rent; many no-fee apartments available.
- Are there extra fees besides the agency fee when renting? — Most costs are covered; tenants pay electric and cable/internet.
- Can you help us buy a condo in Beacon Hill? — Yes, as licensed brokers they assist with all aspects of a condo purchase.