Majestic Mattress gets a facelift

Cyrus Moulton
Jan 20, 2010
Construction permits decorate the front window of the former Majestic Mattress building. BY CYRUS MOULTON
The Majestic Mattress building and the abandoned home next-door are owned by Ryan Correia of Potential Properties.  Correia is renovating the former Majestic building to create affordable condominium units in addition to the retail space that currently operates on the first floor.  He has ambitious plans to also develop the abandoned property. BY CYRUS MOULTON
According to Images of America: Wareham," by Susan Pizzolato and Lynda Ames Byrne, The building was constructed in Maine and transported to Wareham to be assembled, and was originally the home of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.    The Odd Fellows safe still remains - and Correia says that the combination still works! BY CYRUS MOULTON
Mattress springs still remain in the former furniture showroom on the building's first floor. BY CYRUS MOULTON
Correia originally thought that he would have to tear-down the building, which dates from the early 19th century, because of its age and the work required to bring it up to modern building codes.  But he found that the building's sturdy construction, for instance, granite support beams in the basement, had served the building well. BY CYRUS MOULTON
A close-up of the floor construction. BY CYRUS MOULTON
To mitigate heat loss, many of the building's old windows have been boarded up - sometimes with whatever material is available.  This window, on the building's front facade, will be restored. BY CYRUS MOULTON
Each of the buildings three main floors were originally meeting rooms.  According to Pizzolato and Ames' book, movies, Town Meetings and church services were all held in the building.  Correia said that he found a picture from a funeral that took place in the room!  He plans to display photographs showing the building's history on the first floor. BY CYRUS MOULTON
Whatever occurred on the second floor, somebody from Odd-Fellows Days was watching. BY CYRUS MOULTON
The building requires many updates to meet modern building codes.  Perhaps the most important element is installing a new heating system, requiring that the building's chimney be removed. BY CYRUS MOULTON
Workers remove paneling in the building's attic. Correia hopes to retain and refurbish many of the buildings' architectural details, such as the tin ceiling and door mouldings, in each of the planned units as well as in the building's common areas. The building will contain at least seven residential units containing one to three bedrooms, said Correia, in addition to the retail unit on the first floor currently occupied by Edward Jones Investments. BY CYRUS MOULTON

It’s been called the Odd Fellows Hall, Kobrin and Davidson’s Furniture Store and Majestic Mattress. For some Wareham residents, it soon will be called home.

Last week, contractors began removing wainscoting from the attic of the former Majestic Mattress and Furniture building at 316 Main St., preparing to gut the building for conversion into seven condominium units totaling nearly 12,000-square-feet of living space to be offered at affordable rates.  The project has received $500,000 in grants with the assistance of the Community and Economic Development Authority (CEDA) as well as deferred-repayment loans for historic renovation and affordable housing.

Correia and his architects have collaborated with downtown and historic preservation groups to restore the building’s original architectural details while updating the electrical, plumbing, and other utilities.

“I originally thought it would have to be a tear-down,” said Correia as he walked through the building’s former furniture showroom. But conservation interests and quality construction convinced him otherwise, he said, while proudly pointing out the solid frame construction, high ceilings and oversized windows that had been boarded-up years ago.

And in collaborating with the town, the possibility of revitalizing not just the building but downtown Wareham, has caught Correia’s interest.

“Main St. needs a face lift,” Correia said.  It’s like a ghost town, we need more things to get people out and about.”

He hopes that his project could be that catalyst. Although he says that plans are in the “infancy” stage, he has purchased the adjoining abandoned home and the gas station next door to bring more residential units downtown, possibly even specifying that units be designated for elderly residents who want to be near to Tobey Hospital. 

The project has not been without obstacles.

“It’s been a struggle,” said CEDA director Chris Reilly.  “They’re rehabilitating an old building not designed for their intended use and leveraging a lot of grant money.” Reilly said that the site also has permitting and regulatory issues. It includes wetlands and requires a zoning change. Nevertheless, Reilly is excited. “We consider it a good thing - we’re doing everything we can to maintain funding for the project.”

Architect Jane Gleason of Civitects architects in downtown Wareham agreed.
“It would be fabulous to have more living downtown,” she said.  “More people living on Main Street, more people walking, getting dinner or picking up their mail at the Post Office.  It brings energy back to downtown.”

 

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