180 Harding Street (BDDW-26-20)

At a glance

Based on auto-generated captions and the posted minutes; names may be misheard.

What: Building Demolition Delay Waiver (BDDW-26-20) to replace all windows on the second and third floors of 180 Harding Street, the first step in converting two vacant floors to apartments.
Where it stands: approved 6-0 on 2026-08-06 with a split-material compromise.
Next: none recorded.

Architect Jeremiah Gallant for the owner (apparently Dino Lorusso, who also owns Crompton Place at 138 Green Street).
Existing windows are historic (over 50 years old) but not original; many are dry-rotted, boarded up or missing, including swivel/pivot units.
Applied for aluminum-clad wood; the owner then preferred black vinyl, citing cost (about two to three times) and neighborhood precedent.
Design: transoms over fixed center units; rear elevation six-over-one replacing concrete block.

Material change from the application; the chair and Jeffrey Burnett wanted cost comparisons and elevations. Staff pointed to a financial hardship filing.
Michelle H. Johnstone: no full wood-to-vinyl replacement has been approved in her seven years; vinyl has been allowed on side and rear elevations. The Walker Shoe tax credit project used wood or clad wood.
Grids between panes disfavored on the front; applied exterior grids preferred.

Harding Street elevation: no-grid aluminum or aluminum-clad wood.
Side windows: vinyl, aluminum-clad wood or aluminum.
Rear block openings: six-over-one vinyl with grids between the glass.
Approved 6-0. The owner said he was in a hurry (6 to 8 weeks to order, winter coming).

About 30 minutes across 1 meeting (from transcript timestamps; approximate).

Meeting	Minutes
2026-08-06 - Historical Commission	30

2026-08-06 - Historical Commission - Hearing; compromise on window materials; waiver approved 6-0.