The Emerson and Sophia Prescott building is located in downtown Leominster, Mass. Epsilon’s team of historic preservation consultants prepared state and federal historic tax credit applications for the project. As a result of the use of federal historic tax credits, the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2021. The building was recognized with a Mayor Thomas M. Menino Legacy Award from Preservation Massachusetts.
Overview
The Greek Revival style Emerson and Sophia Prescott House was constructed ca. 1840 and historically served as worker housing for mills in Leominster’s downtown. Prior to the developer’s acquisition of the building, it had suffered from decades of deferred maintenance and insensitive alterations. The project restored the historic appearance of the building’s exterior with new historically appropriate windows designed based on historic photographs, repaired deteriorating masonry, and corrected significant structural deficiencies uncovered during construction. At the interior, all new building systems were sensitively inserted and historic window and door trim, doors, and the historic main staircase were retained and preserved. The project replaced communal kitchen and bathroom facilities with private bathrooms and kitchens, providing 21 units of high-quality housing in Leominster’s downtown.
Contribution
Epsilon prepared State and Federal historic tax credit applications for the project and assisted in preparing the National Register nomination for the building. The completed project maintains an important historic building in Leominster and is contributing to ongoing revitalization efforts in the downtown area.
Achievement
As a result of the use of federal historic tax credits, and with Epsilon’s assistance, the building received the Menino Legacy Award from Preservation Massachusetts and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2021.