On August 4 the Mid Cambridge Neighborhood Conservation District Commission reviewed two development proposals for multi-family and affordable housing on Ellery Street.
60 Ellery Street
A project was approved at 60 Ellery St. to demolish a brick 1923 Colonial Revival structure and construct a 6-story 30-unit building.
The applicant had been asked to consider design modifications in response to issues raised by the Commission and the public.
The revisions include the relocation of a transformer below grade which resulted in the addition of another dwelling unit; the elimination of metal panels which were considered too commercial; and an additional 5-foot setback from the sidewalk adding more landscaping in front of the building. A two-story passageway was modified to be more in keeping with the general streetscape.
View the 60 Ellery Street proposal here: https://www.cambridgema.gov/-/media/Files/historicalcommission/pdf/mcmeetingfiles/aug460ellerystdrawingset.pdf
84-86 Ellery Street
At 84-86 Ellery St., the Commission reviewed the proposed demolition of an 1877 brick Second Empire/Mansard style double house and the construction of a 6-story building.
The Commission found the existing building to be historically significant for its architecture and its association with renowned architect and social activist Eleanor Raymond (1887-1989), one of the earliest practitioners of the International style for residential designs in the United States. Eleanor was born in the house and resided there until 1922.
The applicant agreed to return to the Commission with a revised design.
View the 84-86 Ellery Street proposal here: https://www.cambridgema.gov/-/media/Files/historicalcommission/pdf/mcmeetingfiles/mc73318686ellerystreet.pdf.
For questions or comments regarding these projects, please email histcomm[at]cambridgema.gov.
