The development known colloquially as “Wright Ave” leads a heavy Historic District Commission agenda tonight, and folks who are concerned about the authenticity of the city’s fragile vintage appearance are hoping for a strong turnout.
A view of the Wright Ave project as seen on city website
The project at 67-77 State Street has caused consternation among some residents who feel it is too big and the wrong style for a gateway to Portsmouth from Memorial Bridge and Maine.
For example, Joyce Volk, an architectural historian who lives in the South End a few blocks from the proposed development, walked the downtown historic business district yesterday morning, from Court Street to Bow Street and Marcy Street to Market Square.
“From Pleasant Street down to the river, there is one mansard roof,” she noted, referring to a French-style roof in vogue during the Second Empire of Napoleon III. “That’s a late 19th century addition to the Rusty Hammer. Most buildings from Pleasant Street east are three stories, some four, and if four, often with dormers in a pitched or hip roof.”
“The proposed Wright Avenue building has fortunately been reduced from five stories to four, but still has the mansard roof and all those projections and recessions in the walls which are entirely out of character with its neighbors,” Volk goes on.
“The surrounding buildings… are largely early Federal in style, with flat brick walls, an occasional rounded corner, and windows with white frames. Surely a good and serviceable modern structure can be in this style and not try to revive a late 19th century style that is exceedingly rare anywhere in downtown Portsmouth.“
Also coming up for an HDC work session is the large addition proposed at 173-175 Market Street catty-corner from the Moffatt-Ladd House:
Another HDC work session will focus on a large development proposed for 111 Maplewood Ave.:
Yet another will focus on 275 Islington Street.
“I think we have to get the height of these buildings down,” said Volk.
“Within the Historic District, they should not be over four stories because that’s what most of them are that are part of the Historic District.”
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