Chapman Const. to restore 48,000 s/f historic Victorian Gothic building

166 Central Street - Lowell, MA

Lowell, MA Element Care partnered with Chapman Construction/Design and Architectural Consulting Services to renovate 166 Central St., a 19th century 48,000 s/f High Victorian Gothic building that had not been fully utilized in more than 30 years. As they embarked on this $8 million year-long project the team knew it would present many challenges, but everyone shared the same vision of the building’s potential. The layout was certainly not typical of an adult day health facility, but with a creative design and a thoughtful construction approach, the team was able to modernize the building’s systems and structure to create a space that is now home to one of the most advanced PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) centers in the country.

To keep the building’s historic charm, many period details were restored, including the colonnade that was incorporated into the building’s central hallway and the ornamental ceiling medallions in the main day room. The addition of a roof deck, two new elevators, more than 200 new windows, and an insulated envelope were among the major renovations. Multipurpose rooms offer space for art, music, and cooking programs, while the many exam and physical therapy rooms allow for in-house patient care from top physicians and nurses, and the occupational therapy apartment helps train patients in self-care tasks.

At full capacity, the space can provide comprehensive care to more than 250 participants and staff living in the area.