Old Building Gets Makeover in West Concord

The house used to be beautiful, said Roger Raymond, owner of a house on Commonwealth Avenue that was home to a travel agency. He said the house belonged to his uncle who passed away in the spring. Roger and his brother, Peter, bought the property and are completely gutting it for a new tenant. 

"It was our grandparents house," said Roger. He bought the place in May. The travel agency tenant retired, leaving the house vacant.

It was clapboard when it was built in 1803, painted colonial red standing on Commonwealth Avenue.

Raymond said it was a shop below a house above. He said he and Peter wanted to redo the small space rather than trying to fix it up a bit for a new occupant.

He said a couple from Littleton is renting the space for a foot spa.

"It's gutted inside, and we are picking up our building permit next week," said Roger. "We are working with an architect who is managing the standard renovations: plumbing, electrical and a new comcrete floor."

The floor space is 16 by 23 feet, and was office space when it was used by the travel agency.

Raymond said the tenant is pre-approved under the IPOD, or interim overlay district in West Concord center. The village center is undergoing a review of zoning limitations.

"It's a good mix of use in that area," said Raymond. "We are bringing it up to par. We just added a new roof. We want to make it right, do it the right way."

He said the town has been accommodating every step of the way.

Raymond said he hopes the new foot therapy business will be at 23 Commonwealth Avenue next month.

"We are weeks away," said Raymond.

He said he is "very happy" with the permitting authorities in town.

"Sometimes it can be cumbersome, but everyone here has been helpful," he said.