The Merchant - 2016 Preservation Award
2016 Historic Salem Preservation Award Winner
Seger Architects Inc. (SAI) was commissioned to design the historic adaptive use of the Joshua Ward House in downtown Salem, MA. The house was built ca. 1784 and is on the National and State Register of Historic Places. The Joshua Ward house is rich in history. George Washington stayed there in 1789 on a visit to Salem and wrote about his stay in his diary on display in the Smithsonian Museum.
Seger Architects was challenged with adapting the former, house/ real estate agency and bookstore to a luxury 11 room inn with parlor and support spaces. As part of the adaptive use project SAI and the Owner zXe LLC committed to restoring the structure to its original grandeur. Working with the National Park Service, Mass Historic Commission and Salem Historic Commission a program of restoration was put in place and implemented. This included new true divided, dual glazed wood windows, masonry repair, widow’s walk balustrade, faux slate roofing, a brick paver drive and parking lot, rear deck with matching balustrade and restored interior.
The interior was subdivided into 10 rooms whose volumes matched the original room configuration. Existing closets were removed between the rooms and replaced with contemporary bathrooms. The bathrooms feature walk-in tile and glass enclosed showers.
Slated to open in November 2015 The Merchant (Joshua Ward House) is an exciting addition to Salem’s present, vibrant downtown and rich inventory of historic structures.
*This project was awarded State and Federal Tax credits.
