September 13, 2024
Contributing Mike Lyne, Developers Collaborative; Chris Beard, Essex Preservation
509 Forest Street in Portland, Maine, was the centerpiece of a row of six buildings, rising two stories and having a large three-story auto service block at the rear. While the first-floor housed automobile dealerships, the second floor of the main block was designed as a dance hall. As originally designed and built, the wrapping storefronts of 509 Forest were constructed of cast stone to imitate ashlar blocks, while the remaining wall surfaces were red brick.
The front of the building was altered significantly in 1963 with the addition of a new facade. Developers Collaborative commissioned exploratory demolition which revealed that the original masonry wall of the facade remained largely intact beneath the added facade. Based on what was uncovered during the exploratory demolition, it appeared that surviving fabric included all brickwork at the second floor (including the original window openings), the band of cast stone between the first and second floors, the decorative medallions along the stone band, and the stone pier at the southwest corner of the building. There were also indications that the entry surrounds remained as well.
The redevelopment plans for the front façade now call for all new metal storefront windows to match the historic openings; complete restoration and repointing of all brick work; complete restoration of all cast stonework; a new metal canopy over the front entrance; and new storefront entry doors to access first floor commercial spaces and a new lobby area for Rumery Lofts.
Rumery Lofts - Coming June of 2025!
Studio, 1BR and 2BR apartments with garage parking
12,000 sf. of first floor commercial space available immediately subject to tenant's buildout needs.
For more information, call Developers Collaborative at 207-772-7673.
For commercial space information, call The Boulos Company at 207-772-1333.
Stay tuned for more entries of Reviving History: Rumery Lofts at 509 Forest Avenue, Portland Maine
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