Suffolk Construction Company | China Trade Center
Grand Circle Travel | 155 4th Street | Building 34
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Project
The adaptive reuse of an early 19th century storage building in the historic Charlestown Navy Yard into first class office and retail space with two wings of new construction

Client
Kenney Development Corporation
Charlestown, Massachusetts

Budget
$4,000,000

Design Challenge
To add two new wings to an historically significant early 19th century building in a manner compatible with the appearance of the original, yet interpretive and clearly distinguishable as a contemporary building

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Awards Received:

  • Remodeling Magazine
    Honorable Mention, Adaptive Reuse Award

Building 34 is an historic building located within the Charlestown Navy Yard, in Charlestown, Massachusetts. This structure was originally conceived as part of a larger master plan which envisioned the eventual addition of new wings.

This rehabilitation completed the vision of the original plan adding two wings in cast stone to match the shape and detailing of the original gray ashlar granite in a distinct but compatible buff color. With the interpretive detailing of its new arched openings, the wings are a seamless, yet clearly contemporary addition to the original 19th century structure.

A new entry lobby was created by taking advantage of an existing arched passageway originally used to allow light gauge trains to pass under an interior hoist-way. The archway is enclosed with a new butt-glazed glass wall, transforming it into interior lobby space, without losing the sense of the former passageway. The original steel rails within the floor remain intact as a reminder of the 19th century building's former use and historical significance.

Photos by Bruce T. Martin