Landmark District Commission Hears Revised Plan for New Hope Baptist Church

The South End Landmark Commission met Tuesday evening to hear proposals from several neighborhood projects, however it was the New Hope Baptist Church proposal that took center stage.  

The church located at 728 Tremont Street will be converted into a residential building. Its initial proposal called for four units, however architect Gary Hendren announced at the meeting they wish to create an additional unit. 

In the proposal Hendren noted while they will be keeping much of the current exterior intact, they will be adding a cut-away structure on the roof, which will alter the Tremont facing façade. 

The commission seemed to have no issue with the changes, but one South End Resident, Herbert Zeller, did. 

Zeller, a licensed architect, emailed his comments to the commission prior to the meeting. In the email he sad, “In the revised proposal, the developer has reneged on a commitment not to alter the profile of the street facing roof profiles. The drawings of his revised proposal show two large cut-away roof sections above the top of the Tremont St. façade, creating outdoor balconies that adjoin four bedrooms at the second level in the main lobby of the church.”  

Zeller went on to comment in all capital letters, “ALTERATION OF THE TREMONT STREET ROOF IS NOT NECESSARY but rather the consequence of the preference, or lack of thought, given to the location of these rooms in the plans of the two dwelling units.” 

Zeller further stated he believes since the façade alterations are allowed on the alley side of the building, that they can simply reverse their plan and “rooms requiring windows should, could, be planned on that side of the building.” Zeller added bedrooms with balconies in the alley side would benefit from facing the quiet side of the building.  

Zeller respectfully urged the commission in his email to not allow the degradation of the historical character of this “monumental” building. 

Several members of the commission asked Hendren if there could be more roof space preserved, to which Hendren agreed. 

The commission approved to move forward with the discussion, so long as the developer makes modifications to save more of the current structure. 

Brian Marsh, President of the Hurley Blocks Neighborhood Association also emailed the commission to say both he and his association have no problem with the project moving forward. 

Other proposals heard at the meeting included further development on the six-story condo building on the corner of Dwight St., and Tremont. The commission had only glowing remarks on the design calling it a, “very substantial and elegant design,” and a vast improvement over the current structure, the Olde Dutch Cottage Candy store. 

Dana Warren, representing the Wilkes Passage group trying to obtain rights to install a canopy at the 1313 Washington Street entrance was a no-show. The group had previously been denied rights to installation.