Old Boston Restorations INC has been renovating and leasing properties since 1970. The company was incorporated in 1985. OBR is a company that specializes in the rehabilitation of nineteenth century buildings, the management of its property portfolio and new construction using modular construction.
Old Boston Restorations Inc. has completed many nineteenth century rehabilitations throughout Boston, but its primary focus is in the South End. One of the most interesting rehabs was the 26 unit rehabilitation of the Pray Brothers Carriage Manufactory on East Concord Street, Parcel R11A. From the beginning Old Boston Restorations Inc. has demonstrated an interest in preserving the architectural heritage of the area as attested by numerous Globe articles on its row house rehabilitations. This, combined with sensitivity to the historical themes of the area, guarantees building which are fully compatible with existing abutting facades, yet deliver maximum housing accommodations for each dollar expended.
One of the most exciting innovative project was the building of 4 market townhouses, 4 First Time Home Owners Condominiums and 2 commercial spaces on the corner of Washington St and E. Concord St. It was the intent of this company to build row houses that were architecturally consistent with many of the existing blocks in the South End, in mass, scale and material details. Old Boston Restorations Inc. achieved this end using prefabricated modular units from Huntington Homes.
By using these modules, Old Boston Restorations Inc. was able to greatly reduce the development time, the loan interest, cost of the unit and inconvenience to the neighbors from the construction.
The modules were delivered to the site and placed above the structural frame within days. They arrived with the walls painted, doors hung and the kitchen/bathroom fixtures in place. What remained was to connect the electrical and plumbing lines and complete the brick exterior façade. This project successfully became the first modular housing development in Boston’s Historic South End.