HBI Launches $1 Million Trilogy Fund

Click here for more images of the Hayden Groundbreaking event.
All images courtesy of Craig Bailey and Perspective Photo

At the festive June 4th groundbreaking for the Hayden Building, HBI announced the TrilogyFund, a $1 million fundraising campaign for three important HBI preservation projects.  The campaign, to be co-chaired by Mayor Thomas M. Menino and developer Ronald M. Druker, supports completion of HBI projects at the 1875 Hayden Building in Chinatown, the 1836 Alvah Kittredge House in Roxbury, and the 1867 Vertullo Building in Hyde Park.

Over the next nine months, HBI’s campaign team will be reaching out to friends and foundations to identify resources that will help to round out campaign goal. The three projects are expected to cost $10.2 million and, while each project benefits from conventional sources, tax credits and various subsidies, the condition of these historic buildings and the nature of the markets in which they sit require additional funds to complete the projects.  A successful campaign steps up the pace at which the three preservation projects begin construction.

Eustis Street Fire House Wins 2012 Massachusetts Historical Commission Preservation Award

This year Historic Boston Inc.’s Eustis Street Fire House was honored to receive one of the Massachusetts Historical Commission’s coveted Preservation Awards. Each Year the MHC chooses projects across the state which have “revitalized neighborhoods, added to the revenues of cities and towns, and preserved community character”. This year’s awards ceremony, marked the 34^th anniversary of the celebration, and HBI was excited to be a part of it.

Three HBI properties featured in Boston.com article

Renovated, repurposed buildings in Mass.

Boston is well-known as a historical city — the Cradle of Liberty produced some sturdy buildings. If one goes into disrepair, there are numerous restoration societies that aim to keep the city's historic buildings up and running. Here’s a look at some of Boston's renovated and repurposed buildings where the outside is the same, but the inside is very different.

Read the rest of the article 

Malcolm X House Designated as one of 11 Most Endangered Properties by the National Trust for Historic Preservation

Marita Riveroof WGBH, Alicia Leuba of the National Trust,
Mayor Thomas Menino, Rodnell Collins,
Annie Cherian-Collins, Kathy Kottaridis of HBI 

On June 6, 2012 a group of over one hundred gathered at 72 Dale Street in Roxbury, MA to hear the announcement that the Malcolm X - Ella Collins House has been named one of the America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. 
The house was owned by Ella Little Collins, the sister of Malcolm X, and was where Malcolm lived for a period of time between 1941 to 1947. Historic Boston Inc. has been working with Mr. Rodnell Collins-son of Ella and nephew of Malcolm X, and current owner of this Boston landmark- to create a plan for the property. Currently, the plan is to bring the house back to its appearance in the 1940's, when Malcolm X resided there, as well as to link the property to an academic institution for graduate student housing. Mayor Thomas Menino, Boston City Council Member Charles Yancy, the Collins Family, as well as Kimvy Mguyen's second grade class from the  nearby Higginson-Lewis K-8 School were all in attendance at the announcement. Craig Bailey, of Perspective Photo, photographed the event, and a selection of his images are included here. See the rest of the photos of the event here.

Guest Blogger Ellen Lipsey Writes about Preservation Month

Reflections on Boston’s First City-Wide Preservation Month Celebration

Ellen Lipsey, Executive Director, Boston Landmarks Commission

Dudley Municipal Office Facility Model and Renderings,
photo courtesy of JazzBoston 

            "That was the most fun ever!"             

"Who knew?" 

"This is so wonderful."

"It took a bit of organizing…and it was really great."

            "Standing room only!"

            "Would you present that again for us?"

           

While each comment referred to a specific program, they express the overwhelming spirit of Boston’s first city-wide Preservation Month celebration.  In case proof was needed, Preservation Month re-affirmed that Bostonians are perpetually eager to explore, discover, learn from, enjoy and be inspired by aspects of their city’s heritage, in and out of their daily paths. 

The Hayden Building Groundbreaking Featured on Boston.com

The Future of the Hayden Building

Boston.com 

Jeremy C. Fox

Town Correspondent  

June 13, 2012

Historic Boston Inc. bought Chinatown’s Hayden Building in 1993, when the burned-out shell of this historic building faced demolition.

Now, the historic-preservation organization plans to reopen the building with four new apartments and an improved first-floor retail space in time for the 20th anniversary of the purchase.

Read the Rest of the Article 

Robert W. Ogle appointed BAC's Director of Historic Preservation

Photo by Bonica Ayala and courtesy of the BAC

HBI has already had the pleasure of meeting with Robert Ogle, the Boston Architectural College's new Director of Historic Preservation.  Bob's experience and real estate focused approach to preservation matches HBI's interest in bricks and mortar projects, so we are already looking for ways in which we can collaborate. Congratulations to the BAC and its president, Ted Landsmark, for reaffirming the importance of its historic preservation program, and best wishes to Bob as he gets underway. 

Learn more about Bob Ogle through this announcement:

HBI's Hayden Building featured in Boston Globe

Hayden Building, historic gem of the Combat Zone, to be restored

Eric Moskowitz 

June 2, 2012

With the Combat Zone facing demolition in 1970, a graduate student in architectural history set out to survey the neighborhood. Peering above adult bookstores and X-rated cinemas, Cynthia Zaitzevsky admired the forlorn upper stories of several 19th-century buildings, but one stopped her in her tracks.

Read the Article 

HBI Featured in Banker & Tradesman

Past Comes Alive 
Putting History To Work In Boston's Neighborhoods
By Matthew Kiefer and Kathy Kottaridis
Special To Banker & Tradesman
Monday, May 28, 2012

As Boston’s economy gradually recovers, high-profile projects – apartment buildings, hotels and office buildings downtown, in the Back Bay and on the South Boston waterfront – are once again in the headlines. These projects signal Boston’s appeal as a vibrant place to live and work, and we are all the richer for it.

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