Worcester denies developer's request to demolish historic Chandler Street building
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The Hovey Laundry building on Chandler Street
The Hovey Laundry building on Chandler Street will remain intact after the Worcester Historical Commission voted Thursday night to deny a demolition request from its owners.
Benedict Canyon Equities, a Los Angeles real estate firm, submitted the request for demolition earlier this fall. The company is owned by Bob Hart, a Worcester Polytechnic Institute alumnus with a number of other real estate investments in the city, including the Sky Mark Tower and buildings on Austin Street behind the Hovey Laundry building.
The request was submitted on the basis of the site was an unsafe building, not habitable or usable for any purpose, according to Adam Ponte, an attorney at Worcester-based Fletcher Tilton PC, who addressed the historical commission Thursday night. Ponte estimated renovations would cost millions of dollars, and said the building could pose a risk to its residential neighbors in the case of a fire.
During public comment, several individuals spoke, including an architectural historian and a representative from Preservation Worcester. Commenters pointed to the building’s historic significance and unique facade, and voiced concerns about demolishing the building without a future plan for the site after demolition.
The 35,000-square-foot building at 27 Chandler St. was originally constructed in 1890, with additions through the early 20th century when it was used as a steam laundry facility, according to documents included with the demolition application. In the late 70s, the property was sold to Edward A. Dickie & Sons, a moving company owned by Mary O’Connell, whose sign still hangs on the building.
The commission voted unanimously to deny the demolition request.
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