It Takes a Community

beautiful views. I enjoy seeing the people who walk their dogs, and there is just a sense of community. I didn’t just want to work at the hotel, but to know the barber, grocery stores, and other businesses,” he said. “I knew in about a month in that I liked it better than New York City, and that’s a big deal, plus my mother liked it when she visited from Brazil!”

By Carol Masshardt

Not every Boston neighborhood has a hotel and not every hotel has a Claudio Pereira as General Manager. The Cambria Hotel, across from Broadway Station has sweeping rooftop views of the city, restaurants, event space, and this inspired manager who has made South Boston home.

“I like how friendly everyone is in South Boston, and there is a beach with volleyball and

Getting to know new places is familiar to Claudio Pereira,37, who early in life wanted to study many things and to apply his obvious curiosity with a wish to travel. Speaking four languages, he graduated with a degree in Hotel Management and an MBA in Brazil, and then went to Italy, back to Brazil, and then to Stamford, Ct. to explore boutique hotels and then to New York City where he remained working in luxury hotels until coming to Boston in September 2022. Through interesting and successful work and travel, he is clear about the important

Please Join Us Jimmy Flaherty Kickoff Breakfast

Saturday, March 4th

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Hosted by:

The South Boston Citizens’ Association

“The Nation’s Oldest Neighborhood Civic Organization”

Thomas McGrath, President

State Representative, David Biele, Honorary Chairman

Suggested Donation $15.00

Contact Tom McGrath for more information: 857-204-5825

Seapoint Restaurant

367 East 8th Street - South Boston influences. “It is my parents,” he said. “I owe them everything.”

He knows better than to think that you step into management without knowing and honoring all the hotel positions that contribute to the reputation of a hotel. “I started working on the front desk at a hotel for five years, and thought I am good at something! There are people who make their life’s work mastering one part of the hotel business and doing it with pride. People remember the staff they deal with and rarely with the general manager. The goal is excellence at every level, and we try never to say “no,” he said. “Guests know when the hospitality is authentic.”

“The days of a yearly evaluation are over. It is about steady feedback and consistent quality and working closely with all levels to provide a high norm,” he said. In fact, he chose Cambria because he thought that “no one is just a number. It’s small enough to have impact and make people proud to be part of it.”

There is a polite vigor to Claudio Pereira, who manages with a sharp mind, an eye on all aspects of the hotel, and a warm interpersonal style. In just six months, he has partnered with

Artists for Humanity and other organizations to serve guests following events and has become familiar and appreciative of many local haunts in South Boston.

Following years of pandemic and slowed hotel business, the right man has come on the scene and his seriousness, sophistication and congeniality are sure to promote this cornerstone hotel uniquely connecting South Boston, Downtown, the South End and Seaport.

“There is room for events, and I will work with community groups,” he said. “In addition, the gym is so nicely designed and there could be space for personal trainers to offer classes,” he offered. His expertise and interest in collaborations seems unlike other hotels and his personal touch more than marketing.

Despite familiar challenges of hiring and retaining motivated staff and dealing with high costs in Boston, Claudio Pereira is undaunted.

“This feels like the right place,” he said and as someone who could be anywhere nationally or internationally, that is quite a compliment.

(Carol Masshardt can be reached at carolhardt@comcast.net)

Beckler Avenue is not a Driveway!

Apetition in opposition of the proposed 6 parking spaces in the rear of the East 5th street home on Beckler Ave is underway. The proposed parking spaces only entryway would be through Beckler Avenue a (dead end street). If the Board of Appeals granted this request to allow 6 parking spaces it would hold an extreme negative impact on the residents of Beckler Avenue. This proposal would adversely affect the safety of the occupants of Number 1 through 16 Beckler Avenue, including a significant number of children/elderly and disabled. it would also have a negative impact on the Beckler Avenue Rowhouse cul-de-sac, a historical district designated by the Boston Landmark Commission for its “community planning” and “architectural” significance

(National Register ID: BOS.AAU).

Not only would this impact the residents. It could affect a South Boston Community Halloween tradition that has been held on Beckler Avenue for over 30 years.

The Beckler Avenue Rowhouse district has provided a wonderful place to raise a family for more than 150 years. The cul-desac has been the central square for many generations. It was never designed to be a driveway.

The appeal hearing with the zoning board for this proposal is Tuesday March 14th.

On behalf of the current and future residents of Beckler Avenue, and out of respect for the 150 years of community building they have provided the City of Boston please go to (Change.org Beckler Ave is not a Driveway) and sign this petition in opposition of this proposed 6 parking spaces via Beckler avenue.