I attended the South End Landmarks Commission, last evening.

It was very educational. And entertaining, too.

There was lively discussion, plus a few heated exchanges, a few raised voices (not all by me, surprisingly).

The big news of the night?

The Waltham Tavern will be no more.

(Well, it's already been closed a year, so no news, there.)

The property was sold last week, for $1.75 million, to local developer Geno Ranaldi.

He plans on completely renovating the building, turning it into six condominiums. Preliminary sketches were approved, last evening.

Ranaldi has already begun demolition work, and hopes to be done by late 1st-quarter, 2008.

Prices will run from the low-$400's to over $1 million.

The commercial space on the ground floor will be turned into a 500-square foot studio; it will no longer be commercial space.

Who, the board asked, would want to live in such a small space?

Mr Ranaldi responded, "My real estate agent says that it'll probably be some young bachelor."

Ladies welcome, indeed.