This major reconstruction and expansion of a fire damaged historic building at the corner of Newbury and Arlington Streets in Boston was commissioned through a major competition by Burberry’s Ltd. of London. In addition to the base building reconstruction and preservation effort, we designed the interior fitout of the clothing store and office tenant space.

The restoration of this 19th century historic commercial block included: new pilings, reconstruction of the exterior brownstone walls and the design of new brownstone detailing, the addition of a fourth bay on the front facade, a new supporting structure and a new two-story mansard roof profile. Due to the sensitive nature of the site–across the street from the Hotel Ritz and the historic Public Garden–this project was scrutinized by three different design review commissions, two preservation review boards and the Boston Redevelopment Authority.

Of particular concern was the level of design compatibility and detailing of the new exterior building skin with that of the original structure and with other buildings in the Back Bay Historic District.

An accelerated design and construction schedule was developed to accommodate Burberry’s need to be operational for the autumn selling season. Design began in March 1982, construction began in April and the project was completed in October.