Historic Boston Takes Ownership of Alvah Kittredge House

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H Bricks&Mortar 1 9 6 0 News from Historic Boston Incorporated • Winter 2011

Hayden low-rise commercial building in 1992. At that time, HBI Historic Boston Building repaired the Hayden Build- ing’s serious structural prob- takes ownership of to be lems and restored its exterior, preserving the only remaining Redeveloped commercial building in Bos- Alvah Kittredge House ton designed by famed 19th for century American architect Henry Hobson Richardson. Housing The second building became the popular Penang Malaysian istoric Boston Inc. will restaurant. Hcreate four new residential units in the 1875 Hayden In order to finance construc- Building in Chinatown this tion of the housing units, His- year. toric Boston plans to sell the attached Penang building, a The landmark Hayden Build- more modern structure. ing, which sits in the heart of what was once known as “HBI believes its mission isn’t Boston’s combat zone, was complete until an historic purchased with an adjacent building is preserved and continues on page 3

Neighbors gather at the Kittredge House to celebrate Preservation Month.

The long-vacant Alvah Kittredge House faces better prospects in 2011 after the Boston Redevelopment Authority claimed the house following a determination that requirements of a preservation easement on the 175-year-old property were not being met. The BRA has signed the house over to Historic Boston for immediate structural stabilization and redevelopment of the historic house for new uses.

“We have worked with previous owners on stop-gap measures to prevent further deterioration,” said Matthew Kiefer, Presi- dent of HBI’s Board of Directors. “But the building is so important to the character and vitality of the Fort Hill neighborhood, Chinatown’s Hayden Building today. continues on page 2 1 Historic Boston Incorporated Board Historic Boston of Directors takes ownership of Historic Boston is in the process of Matthew J. Kiefer, President stabilizing the building for the winter Director, Goulston & Storrs and assessing feasible redevelopment Henry Moss, Vice President Alvah Kittredge Principal, Bruner/Cott & Associates, Inc. options for the building’s rehabilitation continued from page 1 W. Tod McGrath, Treasurer House and re-use. President, advisoRE, LLC and the condition so blighted, that it “There is strong neighborhood sup- Carolyn M. Osteen, Clerk Partner, Ropes & Gray required more assertive action.” port for protecting the building,” said Chris McCarthy of the Friends of Al- Paul F. McDonough, Jr., President Emeritus Vacant since neighborhood group Rox- Attorney, Goulston & Storrs vah Kittredge Park. “For many years, bury Action Program closed it in 1991, Emily H. Axelrod neighbors have expressed great the Kittredge House is an unusual ex- Former Director of the Rudy Bruner Award interest in seeing this home saved for Urban Excellence ample of Greek Revival architecture and brought back into the life of the Celia Grant in Boston with monolithic two-story community.” Director Marketing & Creative, columns and an octagonal cupola. Associated Industries of Massachusetts The house once stood alone on a vast Chrystal Kornegay In 2002, HBI completed the rehabilita- Chief Executive Officer, Urban Edge rural estate in this neighborhood, but tion of the 1875 Alvah Kittredge Park Alex Krieger was later moved and surrounded by Row Houses opposite the Kittredge Principal, Chan Krieger Sieniewicz multifamily homes as Roxbury urban- House. Kittredge Park, which lies Drew Leff ized in the early 20th century. The between the row houses and the Principal, GLC Development Resources LLC house has experienced serious water Alvah Kittredge House has been the Susan Silberberg-Robinson damage and two of its six columns are subject of considerable neighborhood Lecturer, MIT Department of Urban Studies and Planning missing. Historic Boston set up staging mobilization and fundraising and will to support an unstable portico several Jay Wickersham soon undergo redesign as a passive Partner, Noble & Wickersham LLP years ago in conjunction with Roxbury recreational park. Action Program. HBI Council of Advisors Edward P. Lawrence, Esq., Chairman Partner, Ropes & Gray The Alvah Kittredge House Over Time Nancy R. Coolidge International Tourism Andrea Gilmore 1798-1876 1836 Regional Director, Building Alvah Kittredge Constructed on the site of the Conservation Associates, Inc. was a prominent local Revolutionary Roxbury businessman, a deacon Lower Fort, the Kittredge Charles J. Grigsby in Roxbury’s First House is a high style example Former Senior Vice President, Parish Church, one of the Greek Revival period of Mass Capital Resource Company of Roxbury’s five architecture in Boston. The house Theodore C. Landsmark elected aldermen, and was one of the largest of several President, Boston Architectural Center incorporator of Forest built around that time as wealthy David Rockwell Hills Cemetery. families from Roxbury and Boston Director of Lending, Massachusetts moved into the “Highlands,” an Housing Partnership early suburban settlement. Lynne M. Spencer Principal, Menders, Torrey & Spencer, Inc. 1800 1820 1840 1860 1880 1900 1920 1940 1960 1980 2000 Ranne P. Warner President, Blackstone Exchange LLC 1840s In the 1840s, Historic Boston Incorporated Kittredge and others 1866-1896 3 School Street • Boston, MA 02108 began to subdivide Prominent Boston architect

617-227- 4679 their estates and Nathaniel J. Bradlee Roxbury Highlands 617-742-7431 (fax) purchased the house in began to take on email: [email protected] 1866 and proceeded to its dense residential www.historicboston.org remodel and expand it. He character. www.historicbostonblog.org is thought to be responsible for interior wall paintings and decoration.

2 Hayden Building fully activated for current uses,” said Kathy Kottaridis, Historic Boston executive director. “Our plan makes this cornerstone to be Redeveloped building a full contributor to Chinatown’s vitality and an anchor continued from page 1 in lower Washington Street’s growth.” Richardson, the renowned 19th century American architect of Trinity Church in Cop- ley Square, designed the small structure in 1875 for his father-in-law. The five- story brownstone building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. The Hayden building is in need of an extensive inter- nal renovation that includes installing new systems and “Our plan secondary egress. The end makes this cornerstone result will be four new rental building a full contributor living spaces. to Chinatown’s vitality Background: Interior floor and an anchor in lower of Hayden Building Washington Street’s growth.” Right: Hayden Building, 1993 The Alvah Kittredge House Over Time

1971–1991 The Roxbury Action Program was deeded the house in 1971. It was RAP’s 1973 headquarters until around 1991. Kittredge House listed on 2007 the National Kittredge Register of House Historic Places. sold to the Linwood Trust. 1800 1820 1840 1860 1880 1900 1920 1940 1960 1980 2000

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I 1976-2014 D Highland Street, Boston Redevelopment H its side wings were Authority assumes a 1 9 6 0 demolished when 38-year historic preservation it was moved easement on the Kittredge 2010 and reoriented to House in exchange for a HBI takes ownership Linwood Street grant to RAP for the house’s of Kittredge House. in the late improvement. 19 th century.

3 Construction “This has not been a simple project, but that is part of why we took it on,” said Progress at Kathy Kottaridis, executive director of Historic Boston Inc. “HBI has the expe- New Roxbury rience and capacity to complete difficult preservations projects that will have a sig- Headquarters nificant impact on their neighborhoods.” Despite many unforeseen challenges in HBI is also pleased to announce that transforming Roxbury’s Eustis Street the Timothy Smith Technology Net- Fire House into new headquarters for work, a technology initiative named for Historic Boston Inc., construction began a 19th century Dudley Square merchant in November and will be complete mid- and focused on Roxbury youth, will Spring 2011. locate its headquarters on the first floor of the fire house next year. With the help of the Bos- ton Redevelopment Au- thority, HBI secured an Workers from Lee Kennedy Co. prepare the foundation easement over adjacent of an addition at the rear of the firehouse. private land for secondary egress to the property The fire house has been shuttered for de- after many unanticipat- cades and the adjacent burying ground is ed months of negotia- open only by appointment. HBI hopes tions with neighboring to bring more community attention to property owners. HBI both of these significant historical sites also paused to redesign after its move to Dudley Square in 2011. the foundation of the building’s addition so as Built in 1859 by the Town of Roxbury, not to disturb remains in the Eustis Street Fire House is Boston’s the adjacent 1630 Eliot oldest fire house building. Burying Ground. New Lighting Highlights Fields Corner Buildings HBI will soon install new exterior lighting at three prominent historic buildings in Dorchester’s Fields Corner in order to draw attention to their well-preserved facades and enhance night time safety in the business district. • The Lenane Building, built in 1906 and owned by Dorchester House, is not only architecturally beautiful, but is home to several important Fields Corner non-profit organizations. • The former Municipal Building, built about 1875, is the only one in the district listed on the National Register Fields Corner Municipal Building,1875 of Historic Places and is now the headquarters of the Fields Corner Community Development Corporation. • Lighting at the former Dorchester Theater (1915) will be installed at the prominent corner entry arch, which used to contain the theater lobby, and will highlight building owner H. Levenbaum Realty’s playful, recently refreshed exterior paint scheme. “This building lighting project will highlight some of the historic architecture in this neighborhood that is important to the community and already well maintained,” said Ev- elyn Darling, director of Fields Corner Main Street. “It is Former Dorchester Theater an opportunity to celebrate excellent preservation work that has been taken on by enlightened property owners in the community.” The Lenane Building,1906 4 BRA Designates HBI and Roslindale Village Main Streets for Empty Substation The Boston Redevelopment Authority has designated the partnership of Historic Boston Inc. and Roslindale Village Main Street to determine how the 1911 Roslindale MBTA Substation can be used and to assemble a feasible development plan.

Built in 1911, the ornate structure was used to house electrical equipment for trolley cars. It was one of six similar structures designed for the metropolitan transit system by the Stone and Webster Engineering Corp. in consultation with Boston architect Robert S. Peabody. The substation was closed in 1970 and has been empty since then. The substation has proven to be a challenge for redevelopment because of its size. Although there is a soaring 35-foot ceiling, the foot print is just 50 feet by 80 feet. A 2002 feasibility study by Historic Boston indicated that commercial uses would be most economically feasible for the property, contributing to the vitality of the commercial district in which it sits. “This is a complicated project given the layout of the building,” said Michael Tilford, Historic Boston senior acquisition and development manager. “But, it is structurally sound, the façade is in good condition and this is in an important Roslindale Substation today location for Roslindale.” As the building’s owner, the BRA granted the two non-profits a one-year interim designation to propose a development plan, after rejecting three commercial proposals, none of which were economically feasible. The BRA then urged Historic Boston and Roslindale Main Streets to take up the project. “This is the sort of project for which Historic Boston can be especially effective,” Tilford said. “As a non-profit developer with knowledge of this particular site and expertise in this area, we have additional resources that we can bring to the table.” The building is considered to be a missing link in the overall renewal of Roslindale Village and is identified in HBI’s 2010 Commercial Casebook as a priority preservation project. The ultimate goal for the partnership’s project is to preserve the historic structure with a self-supporting use that will attract more people into the area. “It’s one of the most beautiful buildings in the neighborhood and it’s essentially been invisible,” said Carter Wilkie, president of the Roslindale Village Main Street. “Being able to restore it and draw foot traffic there expands our whole commercial district.”

Roslindale Substation shortly after construction

5 Fields Corner Hyde Park Theater Sign Rehabilitation andO LobbyN to be RestoredIN Project TThe Edward Ingersoll Browne Fund has granted $30,000 to HBI and Hyde Park Main Streets to C Underway S recreate the historic sign that once hung above the entry to the Everett Square Theater. O onstruction is underway on the The sign will help draw attention to the rehab and re- Crestoration of the Golden Build- O opening of the theater’s foyer, which will be used as a ing at 1510-1514 Dorchester Avenue, community space for events such as art shows. The sign the start of a remarkable transforma- and newly activated foyer space are intended to jump start R tion of the 1890’s commercial struc- further renovations of the historic theater. ture. B “While feasibility work for the full rehabilitation of the Historic Boston Inc. partnered with theatre goes on, making some near-term enhancements to building owner Stephen Golden and the theatre’s street presence could stimulate interest in and P Fields Corner Main Street to develop support for the larger project,” said Scott Batey, President a rehabilitation plan for the building of Hyde Park Main Streets. “We hope that this interim step will prove to be a creative way to help jump-start an that takes advantage of a significantC O grant from the City of Boston’s Restore important preservation project.” program and includes favorable financI- HBI will assist building owner Pat Tierney with managing ing from HBI. the fabrication and installation of the sign this spring. “This is the sort of opportunity we

hoped that Historic Neighborhood R

Centers would create,” said HBI seniorR Students Begin Rehabilitation of the program manager Jeffrey Gonyeau. “It

is a more comprehensive and practical Anna Clapp Harris Smith House approach to preservation that combines Before the start of rehabilitation work A

sensitive and high-quality rehab work on the house at 65 Pleasant Street, the long

with creative financing and hands-onO neglected floor in the front corner sloped so

project management assistance for the badly that built in cupboard doors in the wall

owner.” couldn’t be closed. The aging foundation un- T

T derneath bulged into the dirt basement. Two

chimneys leaned precariously over a structur-

ally compromised roof. E

ThereS were few indications of the historical

significanceI of the house that sits on one of the oldest foundations in Boston and was D

once the home Animal Rescue League Founder Anna Clapp Harris Smith. H Students from the North Bennet Street School have The building is now on its way to once again made visible enhancements on the Anna Clapp Harris Smith being a home and a source of pride for its along with structural improvements. neighborhood through Handmade Homes, “This is a complex project, but is a significant a collaboration between Historic Boston and opportunity for students to learn preservation A crew from K&B Construction of Dorchester The North Bennet Street School. techniques,” said Michael Tilford, HBI senior dismantles a storefront as part of a major facade acquisition and development manager. “The overhaul. HBI has spent the past several months restor- students have taken a lot of pride in being ing the bulging foundation, rebuilding two able to contribute to such a visible project.” Work on the commercial building chimneys, and stabilizing the roof. Preserva1- will proceed from north to south. The tion carpentry students from North Bennet The9 foundation6 of the house0 was built in 1638. plan includes replacing all storefront Street have been using the same tools and tech- The original house burned down around systems (including the sign band and niques that were used to build the house to el- 1804 and another was built in its place. In lighting) as well as replacing the second evate it and completely replace rotting sills and recent years, it had been divided into four floor windows and siding all the way prop up a sagging rear ell. Students have also apartments. HBI and North Bennet Street up to the building’s elaborate 1890s removed all the 20th century shingles to reveal have not yet decided how many units will be cornice, which will be restored. original clapboards on the house’s facade. built in the completed renovation.

6 Neighborhood ON I Letter from the Preservation T N Partnership Update C For the past two years, HBI and the Executive Director Boston Preservation Alliance S have worked with eight neighbor- DearO Friends, hoods in the City of Boston to iden- tify pivotal historic buildings whose O It is a good sign that, at age 50, empty upper stories are being fit out preservation will contribute to their neighborhood’s character and future HBI’s preservation mission is still R for housing. With Roslindale Village economic growth. in demand and our project pipeline Main Street, HBI will present a plan Through workshops, walking tours B full of exciting and catalytic projects for redevelopment of the Roslindale and planning sessions, HBI and the across the city. P Substation to the BRA that we hope BPA have built stronger relationships will activate this dormant building. with neighborhood representatives Work is progressing on our new And in Roxbury, we are moving and property owners, giving them headquarters at the Eustis Street links to historic preservation informa- immediately to stabilize the 1836 tion and resources should they wish O C Fire House in Roxbury. HBI has Alvah Kittredge House in Roxbury’s to pursue a redevelopment project or encountered every imaginable hurdle I Fort Hill neighborhood while we need technical support. in preparing this dilapidated empty assemble the capital necessary to At HBI, this work provides a valu- building for development, but our fully restore it. able compendium of information and

preservation strategies for more than time and money has R been well spent on a beautiful structure that is a Work on at-risk historic buildings is 100 historic commercial buildings in R Boston’s neighborhood commercial source of pride for those who live very costly. We are very fortunate to centers, which will be a useful tool for

and work nearby. have the help of generous supporters future project selection and will help A and the proceeds from earlier HBI support policy makers, property own-

By March, work should be complete project investments that have suc- ers, local organizations and city-wide

O preservation leaders.

on the 1890s commercial building cessfully “revolved.” But to reach

at 1510 Dorchester Avenue in Fields “We look at things from a couple of T our goals and meet current and

perspectives.” said East Boston Main Corner. Five businesses will have future needs in this historic city, we

T Street director Clark Moulaison. “Not

transformed storefronts and the need more. HBI is exploring a 2011 only do we want to preserve our his-

Dorchester YouthE Collaborative will campaign to expand HBI’s available tory and revitalize older buildings to have better second-story space in be more attractive, but we also look

S financing pool to $4 million and to at how this kind of revitalization can which to host teen-centered pro- ready the organization for the future. I support local business activity and

gramming.D new jobs in our community.” Research

We invite you to join with us in this material and planning strategies col- The 1804 home of Animal Rescue effort and to help lay the path for lected for historic buildings across H League Founder Anna Clapp Harris HBI’s next 50 years of preserving these neighborhoods can be found at Smith is this year’s sleeper project. places that will help our neighbor- http://historicboston.org/info/ services/index.html Through our partnership with North hoods thrive. Bennet Street School and the 1772 In 2011, HBI will work with the Foundation, we are not only rehabili- Best Regards, Main Street districts of Mission Hill, Jamaica Plain Centre/South, Hyde/ tating the building for new housing, Jackson Squares in Jamaica Plain and but also providing hands-on training Kathy Kottaridis Grove Hall in Roxbury. 1 for the next generation of preserva- Executive Director The Neighborhood Preservation 9 Partnership is supported in part by a 0 tion carpenters. 6 Historic Boston Incorprated grant from the National Trust for And there’s more on deck for 2011. Historic Preservation Partners We are revisiting our own asset, the in the Field program. 1875 Richardson-designed Hayden Building in Chinatown whose long-

7 Celia Grant Joins HBI The $6 Million Tour Board of Directors HBI Partners Visit Five Projects Underway in Three Neighborhoods Historic Boston Incorporated is pleased to Historic Boston recently arranged a bus tour for 45 partners and friends of five announce the appointment of Celia Grant to its Board of Directors. preservation projects being led by HBI in Boston neighborhoods. Ms. Grant is director of The tour kicked off at the Hayden Building with a look at the upper floors and marketing and creative overview of development plans there. Participants also visited the Eustis Street Fire at Associated Industries House construction site, the ailing Alvah Kittredge House, the Anna Clapp Harris of Massachusetts and resides in Roxbury. She Smith House in Dorchester with North Bennet Street School, and the Golden Building shares a special connec- in Fields Corner, just underway. tion with HBI: six years ago she purchased one “We choose our projects carefully: We only do the ones no one else will do,” said of the Alvah Kittredge Historic Boston Board Chairman Matthew J. Kiefer. “But, we look for ones that will Park row houses in the achieve more than just preservation. For us, preservation is an important tool to Highland Park neigh- strengthen neighborhoods.” borhood that HBI was instrumental in rehabilitating in 2002. Historic Boston is busier “I have learned a lot about historic home than ever as it celebrates ownership with HBI and believe in its mis- its 50th anniversary. The sion of revitalizing neighborhoods through tour was an opportunity to historic preservation,” said Grant, whose professional experience also includes work highlight a growing pipe- with Madison Park CDC on the rehabili- line of projects and thank tation of Hibernian Hall in Dudley Square. project partners and “Celia is a talented marketing professional neighborhood supporters who brings considerable community knowl- supporters for their help in edge to HBI’s board,” said Emily Axelrod, launching these efforts. chair of HBI’s nominating committee. “She also brings something unique to our Tour stop at the Anna Clapp board: she is a direct partner in HBI’s reha- Harris Smith House. bilitation of a significant historic property.”

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