Built in 1886, this building had been a vibrant presence along Congress Street, Portland Maine’s commercial high street for over a century before submitting to years of neglect and a disastrous fire. Also Office approached the adaptive reuse and renovation of 660 Congress Street as a ‘ship-in-a-bottle,’ meticulously preserving the historic facade and fenestration details while rebuilding anew within the existing brick walls. The entire structure was re-engineered to provide a pair of two bedroom apartments and a column-free commercial space on the ground floor.

In the design of the apartments, we were inspired to trace the silhouette of the original mansard roof with gently curving walls. On the third floor, the expansive volume of the roof is revealed with dramatic coffers that deliver light into the spaces through skylights and hidden architectural lighting.