The Ultimate Upcycle.
Original means original.
Preservation was not an aesthetic added to 275 Medford after the renovation. It shaped the renovation itself.
Because of the building’s historic designation, original elements could not simply be removed or relocated for convenience. If a feature was original to the building and could be retained safely, it became part of the final design.
The residences were planned around existing brickwork, structural columns, beams, window openings, and other reminders of the building’s industrial past. Instead of forcing every apartment into the same configuration, the design allowed the building to determine the character of each home.
That is why no two lofts feel exactly alike.
The exposed brick, steel, beams, and other industrial details throughout 275 Medford are not decorative reproductions. They are part of the structure that has stood along Charlestown’s waterfront for more than a century.
Variations in the brick, unexpected structural details, and differences between layouts are part of that history. What might appear irregular in a conventional apartment building is often evidence of something that was considered worth preserving.
We did not make a new building look old. We gave an old building a thoughtful new purpose.
Because of the building’s historic designation, original elements could not simply be removed or relocated for convenience. If a feature was original to the building and could be retained safely, it became part of the final design.
The residences were planned around existing brickwork, structural columns, beams, window openings, and other reminders of the building’s industrial past. Instead of forcing every apartment into the same configuration, the design allowed the building to determine the character of each home.
That is why no two lofts feel exactly alike.
The exposed brick, steel, beams, and other industrial details throughout 275 Medford are not decorative reproductions. They are part of the structure that has stood along Charlestown’s waterfront for more than a century.
Variations in the brick, unexpected structural details, and differences between layouts are part of that history. What might appear irregular in a conventional apartment building is often evidence of something that was considered worth preserving.
We did not make a new building look old. We gave an old building a thoughtful new purpose.
Daylight lives here.
The scale and placement of the building’s windows were essential to its original purpose, bringing daylight deep into broad warehouse floors. Preserving those openings allowed that same light to shape the residences today.
Open living areas, high ceilings, and carefully considered partitions help natural light travel farther through each home. The result is a space that feels more open, changes throughout the day, and relies less on overhead lighting when daylight is available.
The windows were not added to create the appearance of a historic loft. Their proportions belong to the building and remain one of the clearest examples of original design continuing to serve a practical purpose.
Open living areas, high ceilings, and carefully considered partitions help natural light travel farther through each home. The result is a space that feels more open, changes throughout the day, and relies less on overhead lighting when daylight is available.
The windows were not added to create the appearance of a historic loft. Their proportions belong to the building and remain one of the clearest examples of original design continuing to serve a practical purpose.
Modern where it matters.
Preserving original character did not mean preserving outdated infrastructure. Behind the brick and timber, modern systems were selected to reduce unnecessary water and energy use while giving residents greater control over their homes.
Low-flow fixtures conserve water without sacrificing everyday function. Point-of-use water heaters heat only what each residence needs, while water-source heat pumps provide individual temperature control through a shared closed-loop system.
Energy-efficient appliances, LED lighting, and individual controls continue that approach throughout each loft. These features are intentionally understated, designed to work quietly, conserve resources, and support comfortable living without excess.
Low-flow fixtures conserve water without sacrificing everyday function. Point-of-use water heaters heat only what each residence needs, while water-source heat pumps provide individual temperature control through a shared closed-loop system.
Energy-efficient appliances, LED lighting, and individual controls continue that approach throughout each loft. These features are intentionally understated, designed to work quietly, conserve resources, and support comfortable living without excess.
