Raffles Boston Residences, the First Mixed-Use Raffles in North America, Announces Michael Gackstetter Has Joined as Director of Residences

Raffles Boston Residences, set to open this Summer, is pleased to announce Michael A. Gackstetter will lead the property as Director of Residences. In joining the first North American property for the iconic Raffles brand, Gackstetter will oversee Raffles’ 146 residential homes and 6 spectacular amenity spaces dedicated to the building’s residents.

Having managed luxury residential properties for more than 30 years, Gackstetter has opened such prestigious Boston properties as Fairmont Battery Wharf and Millennium Place, and most recently, served as General Manager at the boutique property Atelier 505, in Boston’s South End.
 
Gackstetter grew up in Westchester County, New York and attended Northeastern University where he majored in Communication and minored in Fine Art. After graduation, he moved to Los Angeles and forged a multi-year career as a fashion model, working on both local and national campaigns. Gackstetter's transition into residential real estate was serendipitous. When an opportunity presented to manage his small LA apartment building, he found that it tapped into his love for people and his natural aptitude for real estate. Upon moving to Boston, Gackstetter soon began managing both luxury and high-rise buildings around the city, all the while taking enormous pride in mentoring his employees to become leaders.   
 
“I like to joke that all roads in Boston lead to Michael; you would be hard pressed to find someone in the real estate industry who has not been either mentored by, worked alongside, or lived in a  building managed by Michael. We are incredibly fortunate to have him join the property and share his expertise, leadership, and love for people,” says Jordan Warshaw, Co-Developer of Raffles Boston and President of The Noannet Group.  
 
“I am thrilled to join Raffles Boston Residences and be part of this historical moment in time for the City of Boston and the Raffles brand as we open the first mixed-use Raffles in North America. My approach to residential management is very hands-on; I uphold the highest standard of hospitality and I place relationships at the forefront of my priorities. I genuinely want to get to know residents and provide meaningful support for their day to day,” says Gackstetter.
 
Michael lives in Brookline with his spouse and his two children. He enjoys traveling, gardening and painting in his free time. His husband, John Stefanon, is a renowned interior designer and the couple enjoys remodeling homes together.

Offering an unprecedented residential and hotel experience in the heart of the Back Bay, Raffles Boston features 146 branded residences, 147 guestrooms, and 16 distinct gathering spaces. From top to bottom, Raffles Boston will showcase and celebrate what makes the Raffles brand so special: a sense of adventure and style, gracious and intuitive hospitality, and thoughtful, locally inspired design, all while enhancing the cosmopolitan charm of the Back Bay.

The residences at Raffles Boston are true homes in the heart of the Back Bay. One- to three-bedroom condos are found on the building’s 21st-33rd floors, and seven striking penthouses with impeccable views are found on the 34th and 35th floors. In a first for Boston, the entire 15th and 16th floors are devoted to pied-a-terre homes, speaking to those who desire a smaller city refuge that offers all of the benefits of owning at Raffles Boston. Each residence is rich without pretense; subtle modern finishes in cool marbles and warm woods are coupled with thoughtful architectural details. The world renown Rockwell Group designed all residences, residential amenities, and health, fitness and spa spaces.  

Six amenity spaces, located on the 21st floor, are exclusive to residents, allowing them to find beauty and tranquility as easily as they can discover revelry and entertainment. There is The Secret Garden, a sunlit garden-like space that transports residents with a Singaporean inspired tea experience; The Residents’ Library, for lounging, reading and fireside conversation; and The Emerald Terrace for al fresco merriment enhanced by views of the city bustling below. Opportunities for play abound in The Sports Lounge, where residents can watch movies or the big game, socialize, play cards around the professional poker table, practice their swing in a dedicated golf simulator room, or play billiards on a full-size table. Culinary interests can be indulged in the Nantucket Cottage Tasting Kitchen and Wine Lounge; and the Residents’ Private Dining Room provides an intimate venue for entertaining friends and family. Raffles Boston is pet friendly, offering owners the convenience of a Pet Spa and Indoor Dog Run, found on the 20th floor.  

Additionally, residents have access to the full range of Raffles Boston hotel amenities, including a bevy of exciting food and beverage destinations. In a first for Boston, the hotel will have two restaurants helmed by nationally recognized chefs: Amar, by Michelin-starred George Mendes, and La Padrona, from two-time James Beard Award winner Jody Adams.  In addition to Mendes’ and Adams’ restaurants, Raffles Boston will also feature a signature Raffles bar and restaurant, a patisserie café, and also, in a first for Boston, a “sky speakeasy.”  Health and wellness options, designed by Rockwell Group, abound with a well-equipped Fitness Center overlooking the city, a Spa with private and couples’ treatment rooms offering the latest in hydrotherapy and mind-body rejuvenation, and a 20-Meter Indoor Pool complete with an oversized hot tub, rain showers and lounge areas.   

Sales for Raffles Boston Residences are being handled exclusively by two renowned firms, Boston-based The Collaborative Companies (TCC) and New York City-based The Marketing Directors with TCC’s Cindy Dwyer and Manuel Davis leading the team. Select homes remain for sale.

A predominantly local team, united by its members’ deep appreciation for Boston, is behind Raffles Boston. At the helm is developer Jordan Warshaw of The Noannet Group and hotelier Gary Saunders of Saunders Hotel Group, alongside their equity partner Cain International, the privately held investment firm led by CEO Jonathan Goldstein.

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