Project: 35 West Newton Street
Boston, MA

 

Architect: John Spears / Tappé Associates, Inc.

 

Project Description: 35 West Newton Street is located in Boston’s historic South End, the largest Victorian brick rowhouse district still existing in the country. It is at the center of the South End’s first street plan, laid out in 1801 by Charles Bulfinch, surrounding what are now Blackstone and Franklin Squares. Originally two single Victorian homes, 35 West Newton St. has served as a lodging house and commercial space since the 1890’s. A fire in the mid-70’s left the building scorched and vacant. It remained in this condition until it was rescued by the Boston Redevelopment Authority and Boston Aging Concerns – Young and Old United (BAC-YOU) in the 1980’s. BAC-YOU merged in 2004 with Nuestra Comunidad Development Corporation.

An SRO for low-income residents of Boston, it again will go through a much needed transformation. Nuestra will replace the deteriorating façade and restore it to its former glory as well as concert the first floor to its former commercial use, while maintaining needed affordable housing. When completed, this cornerstone building will be a tribute to the efforts of the community, the city and state, historic tax credit programs and all those who are working so hard to complete this project.

PROJECT FUNDERS:
Commonwealth of Massachusetts:
Division of Housing and Community Development

Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation

City of Boston Department of Neighborhood Development

Boston Redevelopment Authority

Charlesbank Homes

Massachusetts Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits

The Federal Historic Preservation Tax Credits

Neighborhood Housing Services of America - CDFI

The Henderson Foundation