130-134 Arlington Street

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Arlington Street sits in the heart of Bay Village, the smallest recognized neighborhood in Boston. Bay Village was crafted by the filling of the mud flats leading into the Back Bay during the 1820s and settled by artisans and craftsmen. Fittingly, the site once held a garage space, commercial space for construction carpenters, housing, and a religious worship space. Much of what makes up Bay Village’s historic charm are the gas street lamps, charming side streets, and red brick Federal Revival row houses. Next door to the project site, now a surface parking lot, was once the First Swedish Methodist Church and later a Greek Cathedral.

The project team was tasked with transforming lot into something that unified this Bay Village streetscape. J Garland Enterprises embraced the challenge, working closely with the Bay Village Historic District Commission to ensure and get approval for design consistency and architectural sensitivity. The result was three new spectacular townhomes, with careful attention made to balance old with new. The townhomes feature a contemporary-style bay window, a nod to Boston’s vernacular architecture. Similarly, the brick-clad facade seamlessly integrates with the Federal Period buildings in the area. The building steps up to offer a harmonious gradation with its neighboring buildings, fitting in like a modern puzzle piece.

The site at 130-134 Arlington Street exemplifies the challenges and triumphs of urban infill development. These townhomes not only provide modern living spaces, but also bridge a gap in the fabric of Bay Village. By addressing the complexities of integrating new construction within a historic context, the skilled project team was successful in paying homage to the past while contributing to the neighborhood’s vibrant future.

Filmmaker: Padriac Farma
Illustrator: Laurea McLeland
Producer: Matthew Dickey