69 Church Street

Embracing the challenge of respecting the Bay Village Historic District while also recognizing Boston as a vibrant, continuously evolving city, the design approach celebrates the fragments of history collected within the site. Archival research contributed to the spirit of the redesign and development. The building at 67-69 Church St has historically featured two conjoined structures: an upper-warehouse for film equipment and a street-level bar. More recently, a restaurant occupied the street-level space. Staying true to the original intention of the building, the materials and style applied for this project are complementing the original structure while adding a modern touch. The base of the building will be restored as a commercial space, and two new stories will accommodate five residential units. The cornice line on the second floor is being restored, while new façades pick up on built rhythms of Bay Village. Civil engineers and geotechnical engineers helped to provide an understanding of the layer of urban fill underneath the site. The design allows for comfortable contemporary life to unfold within a rich field of historic fragments and cultural conditions, while tying the project to neighboring redevelopments.