A National Historic Register former electric Trolley Car barn situated at 3 Webster Street Salem, MA sat vacant for almost 10 years. Seger Architects was approached by a local developer interested in renovating and adapting the structure for housing.

Among the many challenges of converting a former shop into housing, the existing structure has no site and resides in the middle of a residential neighborhood. The fenestration was severely deteriorated and two large, former garage overhead door openings existed, partially infilled and devoid of the original character inherent in the handsome masonry structure.

Upon reviewing numerous options SAI and Developer Salem Renewal LLC opted to invert the townhome living configuration and place the living room/ kitchen/ dining space on the upper level and bedrooms on the grade/ entry level. This arrangement took advantage of views and privacy in areas where most time is spent. The high first level volume created for accepting tall vehicles crated vertical circulation challenges but opened the opportunity to design four parking spaces within the structure.

The configuration of 4 townhomes and two flats (above the garages) created an interesting mix of unit type and worked in harmony with the existing fenestration.

New windows replicating the existing, precast sills replacing rotted wood sills, extensive masonry repair, inverted dormer created to nestle unsightly mechanical units and salvaged artifacts of the original use adorning the new corridor create a stimulating synergy with the historic context and modern residential intervention.

The 3 Webster Street Apartment project has been awarded two design and restoration awards and both State and Federal Tax Credits for historic restoration.

A&B Burgers commissioned Seger Architects in 2013 to design a trendy but casual space to blend harmoniously within the historic context of the multi-award winning, National Register structure known as the Salem Jail Complex in Salem, MA. SAI Project Architect, Dan Ricciarelli, was instrumental in implementing the initial development of the vacant, historic jail complex. Key to the development and the backbone of the proposal was the Jail’s historic adaptive use as a multi-use project. In the 1880 brick rear addition, a space was carved out on the grade level and fitted for a prospective restaurant tenant.

SAI’s client A&B Burgers took over the space in 2012 from a previously failed restaurant and working with Seger Architects completely renovated the space imbuing their unique funky aesthetic and up-scale all american fare.

Natural materials together with the heavily rusticated interior masonry, former metal jail parts and stainless steel-like bar top and accents create an exciting eclectic, industrial feel to the space.

Seger Architects met the challenge of incorporating a modern intervention into a historically sensitive building and context. A&B Burgers situated in the Historic Salem Jail Complex continues to be an important icon in Salem’s rich architecture and vibrant restaurant scene.

Existing historic fabric such as fireplaces, entries, main stair and moldings were retained and add character and a sense of history. Reuse of original, wide plank, pumpkin pine wood floors and deep, wide and richly shaped casings together with a contemporary kitchen and lighting add a  sense of history coupled with a modern aesthetic.

Each unit is appointed with two bedrooms and two baths (master with en suite bath), full, modern eat-in kitchen with peninsula, large living and dining area.

The site has ample parking for the four units plus open space for communal gathering and large basement area for storage and separate media room for the first floor rear townhome.

Completed in 2014 and occupied immediately after, the Summer Street residence is another fine example of collaboration between Salem Renewal Ventures and Seger Architects Inc.

Before Conversion

Historic adaptive reuse of St. Joseph's Church in Woburn, MA to 6 residential townhouse units.  The Church was slated for demolition in 2012.  John Flaherty, the developer, hired Seger Architects to provide a feasibility study for residential use.  After numerous City approvals the final design was approved and widely accepted by the City of Woburn. Construction included the inter-floor of the sanctuary and the column structure proved to be adaptable for 6 townhouse units within the building.  Each unit has 3 floors with 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and 1,500 s.f.  The project was completed in 2017.

Project Architect: Dan Ricciarelli

The adaptive use and restoration of one of Salem, Massachusetts’ iconic but decaying structures “The Salem Jail Complex” received 5 major awards for multi-family adaptive use and historic restoration. Long abandoned and slated for demolition Dan Ricciarelli answered a RFP by the City to adapt the Jail to place it back on the tax roll and save an important structure in downtown. Dan assembled a design/ technical team including a housing developer in Boston, MA and successfully won the RFP and completed the project. The project won both State and Federal tax credits which saved the project from languishing due to the recession in housing in 2009.