It's Gotta Get Worse Before It Gets Better

After decades of abuse and minimal maintenance, the pair of Greek Revival houses at 223-225 Allen Street, dating from 1835, is getting a major restoration. Below is the rendering of what the houses will look like when the restoration is complete, which was presented last year to the Historic Preservation Commission. 

It was clear that the roof at 225 Allen would have to be reconstructed after fire damaged the building in May 2020. 

Photo: Julie Metz

A newly fabricated roof structure is ready and waiting in the backyard of the house. Still, it was a bit of a shock this morning, when Joey and I, on a morning walk, turned off Partition Street onto Cross Alley heading for Allen Street and beheld this.

Watching the rescue of these houses, among the earliest on Allen Street, fills me with awe and gratitude.

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