With a partially collapsed roof and whole interior sections of the seven-story building crumbling, not many believed the historic and ornate, Beaux-Arts style Joseph N. Oliver building could be saved.

Originally built as a cold storage facility, the walls of the structure were insulated with wood, cork and concrete and cooled by water pumped through a maze of pipes – much of which had to be removed to reduce the building’s weight. The mass masonry exterior of the 175,000-square-foot building was repaired; rotted, heavy timber beams and decayed wood floors had to be replaced; and windows were installed per the requirements of being listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The adjacent Stewart building was renovated alongside the Joseph N. Oliver building to create a single location with an atrium built in between. Now known as 99 Front, the building offers thoughtfully designed, modern apartment homes and offices – leaving exposed elements that showcase the buildings' 150-year history.

Running Pony, photography / OJT, architect