The project includes the adaptive-use of two historical buildings located at the former St. Joseph Church site on Lafayette Street in Salem, MA. The Rectory building is being restored for the use of 13 residential units. The School building restoration will provide 24 residential units.

*This project was awarded State and Federal Tax Credits for the Historic Renovation of the Rectory.

2021 Preservation Award

The Crescent Trust, Ahmed Family - William Hunt Double House (1858)

In a historic city like Salem, even with modern advances in communication and equipment, the word “Fire” sends shivers through the community. Many in Salem remember the fire at 10-12 Lynde Street several years ago. There was first a deep concern for the residents and then for the building itself, one of the few remaining grand houses of Salem’s past that exists in the downtown core.

The building was originally built in 1858 as a duplex but was converted into a 12-unit rooming house in the 1930s or 40s and was purchased by patriarch George Ahmed in the 60s. After the fire the Ahmed family decided they would take on the task of a beautiful reconstruction.  After assembling a team that included Seger Architects, Epsilon Associates and Groom Construction, they began working through issue by issue that had been created by the devastation of fire as well as the slow decay of time.  The team made decisions with the long-term stability of the building in mind. For example, rather than hide some settling and sloped floors with interior plaster and trim we raised up the half of the building whose foundation had sunk by 4”, other structural work included carefully place steel beams. Electrical, plumbing, insulation and roofing were also added and updated.  The improvements that can’t be seen are often those that will bring a building through this century and into the next.

By using the attic and basement that were previously empty, the completed project created nine 1- and 2-bedroom rental units.  The shape and volume of rooms were maintained or restored, as were historic materials. Highlights include the restoration of Marble fireplaces and the careful removal and measuring of the original, rotted and burned siding before it was re-milled to match the exact dimensions of each board and replaced.

Lynde Street has an interesting mix of building styles with 10-12 Lynde now anchoring the street as a result of the care taken in this restoration.

*This project was awarded State and Federal Historic Tax Credits

*These projects were awarded State and Federal Tax Credits for the Historic Renovation.

This project includes; a four-story residential building with a parking garage at ground level, a three-story mixed use building with commercial space on the ground floor with residential units above and a stand-alone commercial building. This development focuses on creating a cohesive typology of mixed-use buildings to act as an easily accessible extension of downtown Salem.

New construction. One level living for all 6 residential units with 2,300 s.f., 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and a studio room with fireplaces and generous decks.  Elevator access to all units. 2 garage parking spaces below the units. Rooftop deck with views over Good Harbor Beach.

Settlement House 114 Derby Street - 2017 Preservation Award

2017 Historic Salem Preservation Award Winner

Seger Architects was commissioned to adapt a former alternative school and original home for aged men on Derby Street on Salem’s historic waterfront. Purchased from the House of Seven Gables as a surplus property the Developer’s endeavored to insert 6 luxury condominiums in a tight, historic context.

The existing original 1806 structure was originally a large, handsome Federal period home which had been adapted over the years to facilitate different programs. A large two-story porch fronting Derby Street was demolished and currently a single story sensitively designed porch completed by Seger Architects in 2005 now exists in its place.  The building also took on more Italianate characteristics with all the changes implemented over the years all of which endangered its historic status. In 1985 a contemporary, wood frame, clapboard clad addition was constructed to the side and rear of the original masonry building. Considerably more modern in aesthetic, the addition and original historic main building formed a unique design challenge for Seger Architects and the Developer’s eager to create a product sensitive to the unique attributes imparted by the impact of the design from both eras.

The finished program contained a mix of townhomes and flats which addressed a wide range of demographics for both older, empty nesters looking to downsize within their community and younger couples starting out with their first home. The wood addition given its unique configuration lent itself to a single townhome in the portion along Turner Street and flats fronting Derby Street with accompanying decks with direct views of the House of Seven Gables, landscaped courtyard and seasonal water views. The townhome and flats were treated differently with color to differentiate their layout style and to break down the innate massing in this small-scale, historic neighborhood. The original building contains flats of varying sizes to address the demand for both large and small homes.

All new fenestration, systems, energy conserving measures, masonry restoration and cladding at the addition were completed as part of the adaptive use.

The completely occupied, completed project is a fresh intervention in this conservative, homogeneous neighborhood of tightly knit, low scale, wood framed, gabled homes.

The original buildings were constructed circa 1850 as a double and single family home. A one-story breezeway connects the two buildings located on two adjacent parcels. Over time, the buildings and fallen into great disrepair. Seger Architects, Inc. was hired to study the buildings for a multi-family use. The renovations included converting the buildings into 9 residential units and included extensive interior and exterior repairs. The project for the conversion of the existing multi-use building into a Residential Use for a total of 9 residential units.

The project received Historic Tax Credits for the improvements and a number of preservation awards.

Seger Architects, Inc. was selected to be the architect for the adaptive use of the former St. John the Baptist Convent on Howard Street in Salem, MA. Working with the new Owners SAI adapted the building for six market-rate flats for sale. The units are efficient and appointed with a modern aesthetic which is consistent with the building. Featuring 1 and 2 bedroom units, the layouts include a master bath, guest bath, modern appliance kitchen, and generous living spaces. Each unit has dedicated yard space at grade and/ or balconies.

2017 Historic Salem Preservation Award Winner

This project is located as infill lot behind the existing Atomic Café coffee house in the center of Beverly’s downtown