When the Stuarts purchased the 1853 Emery S. Johnson house in 2019 it was clearly going to be a project, and that is exactly what they were looking for.  The home had been owned for the previous 90 years by one family and most the first floor had been used as a dermatologist’s office including rooms for exams, changing, x-ray and pharmacy.  When converting the home back to a single family use those rooms were returned to use as kitchen with butler’s pantry and dining room.  The exterior restoration included removal of non-original shutters, and restoration of original wood windows, flushboard siding, clapboards, corner quoins and even the property’s decorative iron fence. This work was highlighted by an elegant paint color scheme of deep purple-gray. Not as visible is the work to integrate rear balconies and restore the captains walk on the roof. One of the few in Salem.

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

The development team purchased a large lot with an existing historic house.  We were able to subdivide the lot for 4 more single family homes.  Each home was designed to be in keeping with the neighborhood in terms of style and volume.

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

21 Washington Square is a large, Greek Revival style single family home situated in Salem, MA directly across from the historic Salem Common. The home was constructed in 1837 and is on the MA State Register of Historic Places.

When purchased the home was dated and in disrepair on both the interior and exterior. It was clad in asbestos shingle siding and most of the trim had perceptible rot or missing portions.

Salem Renewal Ventures purchased the home in 2018 and adapted it for two 2,100 and 2,300 s.f. townhome residential units. The asbestos siding was removed revealing pristine flat board siding on the Washington Square façade and intact clapboard siding on the remaining elevations. All the cladding were readily restorable and the replicated and refurbished watertables, trimboards and soffits all came together as a beautiful restoration project. A large wrought-iron snow fence was removed and refurbished with some replicated pieces added. A former porch over the first floor mudroom/ pantry received a new period-detailed  balustrade and decking.

The interior main stairs were retained, restored and extended to the upper level. Existing Period detailing was retained restored and/ or replicated in the main living areas.  The site was upgraded with brick paths, landscaping, stone patios and wrought iron fence and gate along Washington Square.