Meet a Back Bay Couple: Warren & Ilana

Warren and Ilana first moved to Back Bay in 2007 from Cambridge where they had lived for many years. Warren admits to always having fantasized about living in Back Bay when he occasionally wandered across the river. As he wryly observed. "Fortune favors the foolish." Upon first viewing the single family residence they now call home, they instantly decided to make the move. 

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Now that they have placed their roots down firmly, they can't imagine living anywhere else. While Back Bay is clearly the center of a large city, Ilana has gotten in touch with its intimate side. "For those who don't live in Back Bay, they may be surprised to know that for its residents, it actually has a small town feel. You walk out your front door and the park is right there. The greenspace, the people and the pets are what make it special." Ilana speaks as the proud parent of the couple's two cats, Luther and Lois.

For Warren, it is the architectural significance that holds particular appeal. "Back Bay is an architectural masterpiece. An unusual confluence of events between 1860 and 1900 allowed for this distinctive and architecturally consistent neighborhood to be constructed", Warren commented, He was referring, of course, to the public works project that brought about the filling in of what had been marshland until the middle of the 19th century, just at the time when the demand for luxury housing in Boston greatly exceeded the supply. "A walk through this neighborhood is like touring a living museum of one beautiful architectural gem after another." he continued.

One thing that both Warren and Ilana agree upon is the appeal of the neighborhood's restaurants. Their favorites include Ramsey's Kitchen, and the new Mediterranean restaurant, Krasi. The classics they frequent the most are Abe and Louie's and Atlantic Fish Company. "A real neighborhood jewel for us at the moment is Select Oyster, which we very much enjoy", said Warren.

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Warren and Ilana are as interesting individually as they find their neighborhood to be. Ilana occupies a fascinating niche as an Appilachian blues singer. She is an accomplished fiddler and plays regularly on the streets of the city and in the subway. She is also a novelist, screenwriter and visual artist. "Warren is an investor and mentor to start-up companies in the aerospace sector in which he has a great deal of experience. "The start-up community in Boston is very vibrant.", said Warren. "It feels good to give back." If you encounter Warren or Ilana walking about the neighborhood or possibly play the blues in the subway, please make a point to say hello.