BDG 27th Edition 2024

After decades of creating dream homes for clients near
and far, Marc Kaplan teams up with Marcus Gleysteen
to carve out a custom-crafted enclave of his own in the
heart of Back Bay.
BUILDER’S
DREAM
It’s not everyday that a builder gets to be his own client.
For Marc Kaplan, Owner and President of Sanford Custom
Builders, the search for a new venture in Boston led to a
remarkable discovery on a coveted corner of Back Bay.
A departure from his previous suburban townhouse, the
urban locale—though serenely surrounded by trees and
greenery—signaled a new chapter of vibrant city life. As
he delved into the floor plan, he quickly realized the sunsoaked
condo was a builder’s paradise—but this time, one
he could envision calling his own.
After completing a recent project with Marcus Gleysteen
Architects (MGa), Kaplan knew Marcus Gleysteen would
be a great choice for his vision for a sleek modern space.
As the team of experienced visionaries combined forces,
a plan emerged in which Gleysteen proposed a design
concept that would maximize the space and incorporate
clever space-saving elements. “We had the ability to
reimagine everything,” Kaplan says, referencing the first
floor unit’s unique access to basement utilities, which
allowed for a floor plan unlike any other in the building.
Donning the hats of both contractor and client this time
around, Kaplan was afforded double the input he might
normally have had.
The emerging floor plan combined the kitchen, dining
room, and living room into one open area, which required
a smart design approach to grant each space its own
identity. “When you walk in, you get a sense of its dramatic
size and generosity of dimension,” notes Gleysteen. At
the same time, Gleysteen recalls, each space needed to
feel intentional, cozy, and well-defined. Like “a really good
table at a restaurant” it was all about strategic placement,
with architectural elements that could serve as “navigating
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