But with host of conditions on building’s renovation

By Greg Ellison

(March 10, 2022) Renovations for a string of storefronts along Main Street in Berlin that formerly housed Town Center Antiques are continuing after the Historic District Commission approved design plans last week.

Samantha Pielstick, representing property owner Jack Burbage, presented architectural renderings and detailed aesthetical considerations for a revamp of buildings between 7-19 N. Main St. during the commission meeting last Wednesday.

“We went ahead with the demolition so we could see what’s underneath,” she said.

Pielstick said second floor sections would remain largely unaltered.

“The windows will all remain very similar if not exactly the same,” she said. “Any rotten wood will be replaced.

Commission Chair Norman Bunting asked if wood would be used for replacement windows.

Pielstick said window updates would only occur where mandated by subpar conditions.

“If the windows were rotten, we would replace them but with windows like the rest of the building,” she said.

Storefront awnings would also be included in renovation plans and fashioned to be reminiscent of the shade covering in front of the adjacent J.E. Parker building.

Pielstick said architectural details along rooflines would remain in place.

Photo by Greg Ellison
Design details for renovations at the former Town Center Antiques, located between 7-19 N. Main St., were approved by the Berlin Historic District Commission last week.

“I know you are very keen on us keeping them intact,” she said.

Pielstick said the bulk of proposed renovations would take place along ground-level areas.

“I did try to keep it very consistent above the metal awning but just have that little bit of differentiation down at the street level,” she said.

In terms of exterior hue selections, Pielstick said the goal was to employ color schemes that would fit Berlin traditions.

“Navy is such a timeless color,” she said.

Commission member Mary Moore said color selections should not compete visually with brick facades.

“Colors should be complimentary and flowing,” she said.

Commission Vice-Chair Laura Stearns lauded the plan overall, but said paint swatches should be further reviewed.

“Everything looks good, but we should readdress paint colors, which need to be coordinated,” she said.

Planning Director Dave Engelhart suggested focusing less on specific shades.

“Do you want them to be more or less uniform?” he said.

Moore concurred that consistency among color patterns was preferable.

“I wouldn’t want to see a hodgepodge look or anything reminiscent that it wasn’t really thought out in a professional way,” she said.

The commission voted unanimously to approve plans based on a host of conditions, including replacing subpar second-floor windows with comparable materials, installing front awnings painted in black and exterior brick columns cleaned without painting.

Lastly, Moore and Stearns would consult further on exterior color selections.

Engelhart said following the commission sign off the project would begin moving forward in the coming weeks.

“We don’t have a permit application yet,” he said.

Commission member John Holloway was enthused by the presentation.

“I think it’s fantastic you’re restoring these buildings and you’re preserving the architectural details,” he said.

While future tenants for the Main Street block remain unknown, former Town Center vendors have relocated to Pitts Street Treasures and Uptown Emporium.

Stearns said the forthcoming redevelopment should provide a significant upgrade for downtown Berlin.

“You’ve given us what we’re looking for [and] what an improvement,” she said. “It’s the main part of Main Street.”