Development Team

DEVELOPER: EK Associates LLC

EK Associates LLC is the company formed by Albert Ellis and Rick Katz for the development and construction of Finback. Albert and Rick first met at Dartmouth College where Albert graduated in 1980 and Rick in 1979. They became reacquainted when Rick returned to the Boston area in 1995 and have worked jointly on a number of residential developments and homes in Nantucket, the North Shore of Boston, the Metro West area of Boston and Cape Cod. Albert and Rick and their other partners are owners and developers of Southport on Cape Cod, a 750 home over-55 community located in Mashpee, MA. Since purchasing Southport in 2010, the community has won three national awards from the National Association of Home Builders: the 2011 Silver Awards for Best Website Design and Best Model Merchandising and the 2013 Gold Award for Best Home Design in America over 1800 square feet. Besides Finback and Southport, Albert and Rick are involved in projects in Hamilton, Peabody, Manchester-by-the Sea and Gloucester. In addition, they were recently hired to build homes on Nantucket for another developer, testimony to the quality of their work.

ARCHITECT: Meerbergen Designs – Nantucket, MA

Brook Meerbergen opened Meerbergen Designs in 2001 after seven years with Rowland and Associates, one of the island's more established and recognized residential design firms. His experience in construction, decorating and design extends beyond this realm however, having secured a good practical base prior to his time at Rowland and Associates. Brook believes this practical experience gave him the wisdom to create useful and realistic plans that also embrace Nantucket's architectural language and character. This language is readily visible at Finback.

“The Finback homes take their architectural inspiration from one of my favorite streets, Front Street in Sconset. Walking between the Front Street cottages, the sense of intimacy and nostalgia seems to seep from the weathered shingles and charming doorways. The drawn out eaves, playful rooflines and projecting rakes creates a texture that evokes a simpler time. My goal was to use the inviting and informal cottage language found on Front Street to create a similar building scale with the same sensibilities while at the same time recognizing how people live today,” Brook remarked.

Marketing Consultant: Carlson Communications

Rich Carlson is no stranger to Nantucket, having vacationed on the island for more than 40 years. As president of Carlson Communications, a national, award-winning agency that has been widely recognized for their expertise in marketing exclusive residential properties, Rich has worked with developers and builders from Maine to Texas since 1978. Located in Northborough, Massachusetts, his firm represents local, regional and national builders and developers. Past clients include The Residences at Black Rock in Hingham, Highland Meadows in Weston, New Seabury in Mashpee and Carnegie Abbey in Portsmouth, RI. Carlson Communications has won national awards for clients’ websites, collateral materials, direct mail and print and broadcast advertising. In addition, four of his active adult communities in New England have received Platinum, Gold or Silver Awards from the National Association of Home Builders for “Best Active Adult Communities in the United States.”

Photography

Finback is proud to incorporate the professional photography of Nantucket photographers Greg Hinson, Cary Hazlegrove and Kit Noble (all from Nantucketstock.com) and Jeff Allen of Jeffrey Allen Photography in their marketing materials and on the community’s website.