(Portland)- The Maine Preservation organization presented the owners, design and construction teams of many historic building rehabilitations throughout the State of Maine with preservation awards on Thursday, November 15th at the Portland Country Club. Wright-Ryan Construction was the recipient of three out of eleven such awards.
The first, Healy Terrace in Lewiston, was an adaptive reuse of a former children’s orphanage built in 1893 into affordable housing units. The rehabilitation focused on the exterior as well as uncovering and restoring important character defining features, including the bracketed wood cornice – previously obscured by aluminum covering. As a result of this work, a full rehabilitation was possible, while retaining significant historic character.
The second award, given for the rehabilitation of the Hedge and Roger Williams Halls on the Bates College campus in Lewiston, was for updates made to two of the oldest buildings on campus. Today both buildings stand as prime examples of how older structures can adapt to modern needs.
The third award, given to the Knox Hotel in Thomaston, was for the extensive repairs and replications to historic features. The building, originally built in 1915 underwent extensive renovations to each housing unit while disruptions to residents were carefully avoided.