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Charles River Speedway Featured on AIA’s America ByDesign

slarsson on March 31, 2026

Featuring The Charles River Speedway | Brighton, MA. 

From abandoned stables to a community cornerstone. 🍻 See how the @charlesriverspeedway honors its 1899 roots while creating a modern hub for art, beer, and connection.

We are so pleased to announce that America ByDesign has featured the Charles River Speedway in a recent episode! With cameos from Sean McDonnell and Kara Anderson of AHF, and architects Christopher Neilson, Henry Moss, and Jason Jewhurst of Bruner/Cott – the team members put on the spotlight on the Koji Club, Garage B, Notch Brewing and the Speedway’s iconic courtyard.

2025 Year in Review

slarsson on January 5, 2026

2025 has been all about moving projects forward. From big wins for the Worcester Memorial Auditorium project to gains in understanding the future of preservation technology, here are a few highlights from the past year. 

The Memorial Chamber at the Worcester Memorial Auditorium. Photo by Jason Baker.

A Big Year for the Worcester Memorial Auditorium Project

Following a productive year in 2025, optimism is high for the Worcester Memorial Auditorium. In May, Governor Healey announced a $25 million matching grant toward the total project cost. This game-changing investment establishes a clear and realistic path to completion.

“Our administration wants to support this project and play a part in returning the Worcester Memorial Auditorium to its place as a vital cornerstone of Worcester’s civic and cultural identity, while honoring the veterans for whom it was originally built,” said Governor Healey.

The project also made continued progress in securing state and federal historic tax credits, as well as New Markets Tax Credits. In parallel, AHF launched the quiet phase of its philanthropic campaign, seeking to raise additional funds to close the remaining financing gap.

Finally, AHF refined its operating plan and is actively engaged in discussions with several potential operators and partners to support the revitalized building.

Looking ahead to 2026, a full-scale philanthropic campaign is expected, along with announcements regarding future development and operating partners.

The Russell School Feasibility Plan 

In spring 2025, AHF and its partners at Allegrone Builders presented plans for the redevelopment of the Russell School building to the Hadley Selectboard. The well-received proposal outlined a feasible approach to rehabilitating the building’s existing architecture, along with a viable operating and capital financing plan. We see great potential to move forward with the preservation process in 2026 and save a historic gem for the Town of Hadley. 

Progress in Pittsfield

AHF continues to work with Allegrone Companies on adaptive reuse projects in downtown Pittsfield. This year, the AHF-Allegrone partnership brought about a successful application to the Commonwealth’s Underutilized Properties Program, providing $500,000 to the Berkshire County Savings Bank Building project. 

Allegrone Companies are redeveloping the National Register-listed building, preserving and restoring the iconic building’s historic facade while updating its infrastructure, systems, and finishes to support new residential and retail uses. The full project will transform almost an entire city block in downtown Pittsfield and add another 19 residential units. Similar to the nearby Wright Building, UPP funding will be used to kickstart interior work, remediation, and structural modifications to prepare the building for full redevelopment. We look forward to seeing these Pittsfield projects continue to progress in 2026, bringing real positive change to the city. 

Photos courtesy of FORMA Beyond

Rodman House Columns

When the William R. Rodman House was built in 1833, it was one of the finest homes in the country.The architect of the massive Greek Revival home took advantage of its prominent location on County Street, adding six show-stopping hand-carved Corinthian columns to the impressive front facade. But time has taken its toll on the columns, with roof leaks and animal infestation has speeding up the deterioration and putting the columns in danger. 

In 2025, AHF partnered with FORMA Beyond to reconstruct and replicate Column #6 using extensive 3D laser scanning to document existing conditions, and cutting-edge CNC machining techniques that will reproduce the column. Then – we wrote all about it with an in-depth interview with the project manager, Justin Blanchard, who helped explain how this new preservation technology and modern materials can be used to restore historic buildings. The new column was successfully installed and painted in April of 2025. 

Alyssa Mikiko DiPasquale of The Koji Club and Chris Loring of Notch Brewing. Photo by Ally Schmaling.

Fun Popups, Collaborations + an Architectural Tour at The Speedway 

The Charles River Speedway continues to be a place to gather and find community. Together, Notch Brewing, Pizza Project, Bellwether Salon, the Koji Club, and Rite Coffee + Tea have made the Speedway a very special corner of Boston. Two pop-ups this year, Salsa Shack and Third Time Together, made the dining options around the courtyard even more varied and delicious. A late-year collaboration between Notch Brewing and Koji Club resulted in a crisp and tasty Tomodachi Rice Lager that blends New England craft brewing and Japanese fermentation traditions. 

Another fun update: over the summer, we filmed a tour of the Speedway led by project architect Christopher Neilson of Bruner/Cott and AHF’s Sean McDonnell. Working with filmmaker Padriac Farma, we developed the tour into a video that can be watched and enjoyed by anyone who ever wondered about the history and redevelopment of this complex collection of historic buildings.

Architectural Video Tour of the Charles River Speedway Development

slarsson on October 30, 2025

On a recent tour of the completed Charles River Speedway, AHF president Sean McDonnell and project architect Christopher Nielson of Bruner/Cott led participants around the complex, giving them an in-depth understanding of the complicated project. Over the years, many people have expressed interest in learning more about the Speedway’s history and redevelopment. To share this story with a larger audience, we invited filmmaker Padriac Farma to capture the insights of the site’s developer and architect.

We invite you to watch the full tour here  – or jump around to different sections of the complex. 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:49 Garage B

03:39 The Courtyard

09:08 The Office

10:24 The Cocktail Bar

12:03 The Brewery 

Background

The history of the Charles River Speedway is a long one – built in 1899 to support the nearby Charles River Reservation, the complex has expanded and served several different purposes throughout time. Home to the Metropolitan District Commission (later the Department of Conservation and Recreation or DCR), the Speedway served as police headquarters, Superintendent’s residence, horse stables, and maintenance garages. The complex was also a companion facility for the Speedway trotting park, a horse and bicycle racecourse that curved for a mile along present-day Soldiers Field Road.

Long underutilized, and then vacant for over a decade, the buildings fell into disrepair. After a long process, DCR selected AHF in 2013 to preserve and redevelop the Speedway through the agency’s Historic Curatorship Program.

AHF and DCR partnered to revitalize the Charles River Speedway in Brighton for commercial, cultural, and community uses. Now complete, the Speedway is home to a mix of shops, bars and restaurants, including Notch Brewing’s taproom and courtyard biergarten. The site also features offices and a large event facility, Garage B.

Worcester Memorial Auditorium Receives $25 Million Commitment from Healey-Driscoll Administration

slarsson on May 15, 2025

AHF is thrilled to share that the Healey-Driscoll Administration has announced a transformational $25 million match commitment to help redevelop the Worcester Memorial Auditorium. Without such a meaningful commitment from our government partners, this project would not be possible.

After 25 years of dormancy, this investment will enable AHF to enter the next phase in the restoration of the Auditorium as a cultural and civic landmark, while honoring the veterans—past and present—for whom it was originally built.

As Worcester City Manager Eric D. Batista put it: this pledge is a “game changer” for the project.

Read the press release below for more information.

Press Release Governor Healey Commits $25 Million to Support Worcester Auditorium Redevelopment 

State funding pledge will unlock private funding to advance project critical to the economic development of Central Massachusetts 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

5/15/2025

  • Governor Maura Healey and Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll

WORCESTER â€” Governor Maura Healey announced that her administration would make a $25 million match commitment to help redevelop the Worcester Memorial Auditorium, a critical project key to spurring new economic growth in Worcester and the broader region. The multi-year commitment of state funds will serve to unlock additional tax credits and philanthropy to bring this $100 million project to life. 

“Our administration wants to support this project and play a part in returning the Worcester Memorial Auditorium to its place as a vital cornerstone of Worcester’s civic and cultural identity, while honoring the veterans for whom it was originally built,” said Governor Healey. “Our hope is that the state’s commitment to redeveloping this facility will spark others to step up and provide the full financing necessary to make this project a reality.”

“Buildings like the Worcester Memorial Auditorium have the potential to be the heartbeat of cities like Worcester and bring economic development and cultural vibrancy to the broader central Massachusetts community,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This funding pledge demonstrates our commitment to economic growth in all regions of our state.”

Built in 1933 to honor Worcester residents who fought in World War I, the Worcester Memorial Auditorium has been vacant for the past 25 years. Originally designed to seat up to 4,500 people, the auditorium played host to countless civic meetings, charity events, graduations, concerts by legendary performers such as Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, and Louis Armstrong and the College of the Holy Cross basketball team.

In partnership with the city of Worcester, the Architectural Heritage Foundation envisions a redeveloped multipurpose facility that blends historic preservation with modern amenities that could offer a wide range of programming—from concerts, comedy shows, weddings, and conferences to emerging events such as e-sports tournaments, robotics competitions, and immersive exhibits.  

Statements of Support

Mayor Joseph M. Petty, Worcester

“The support from the Healey-Driscoll Administration is critical to the revitalization of the Worcester Memorial Auditorium. I am so grateful for the Commonwealth’s support and hope we can breathe life back into this gemstone.”

City Manager Eric D. Batista, Worcester

“This $25M match from the Healey-Driscoll Administration is a game changer for the redevelopment of the Worcester Memorial Auditorium. The Auditorium is a central piece of Worcester’s downtown and Lincoln Square, and we are thrilled to see funding come in to help restore the building to its full potential as a vibrant hub of economic vitality. We hope this funding will generate further interest in bringing this project to fruition.”

Sean McDonnell, President and CEO, Architectural Heritage Foundation

“AHF is deeply grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for its transformational investment in the Worcester Memorial Auditorium. Without such a meaningful commitment from our government partners, this project would not be possible. For more than 65 years, the Auditorium served as a vibrant center of community life—hosting Bob Cousy’s Holy Cross basketball games, performances by Louis Armstrong and Bob Dylan, Jewish High Holiday services, graduations, First Night celebrations, and countless civic events. After 25 years of dormancy, this investment will enable us to enter the next phase in the restoration of the Auditorium as a cultural and civic landmark, while honoring the veterans—past and present—for whom it was originally built.” 
 

Craig L. Blais, President, Worcester Business Development Corporation

“This $25 million Aud announcement is a transformative investment in Worcester by the Healey Administration. This critical facility will now serve as the anchor for the Lincoln Square redevelopment effort to build upon the Gateway Park project.”

Deborah Packard, Executive Director, Preservation Worcester

“The Worcester Memorial Auditorium is undoubtedly the most cherished building in Worcester.  Not only is it an elegant and imposing structure, but it also embodies individual milestones and enduring memories of concerts, graduations, dance recitals, Holy Cross basketballs and so much more.   Always of concern, the building was first listed on Preservation Worcester’s Most Endangered Structures list in 1997.  It takes time and commitment to restore and repurpose a grand historic structure.  We couldn’t be more grateful to the Commonwealth and the Architectural Heritage Foundation for their collective vision, determination, and foresight to bring new life to one of Worcester’s most important structures.” 

William Wallace, Executive Director, Worcester Historical Museum

“The Museum of Worcester is excited to learn of this commitment which will revitalize one of the city’s treasured architectural gems and its World War I memorial—a landmark building at the entrance to Worcester’s Salisbury Cultural District.”

State Senator Michael Moore, Millbury

“For the past 25 years, the vacant Worcester Memorial Auditorium has represented an opportunity to restore a cultural landmark and reopen a uniquely beautiful space in the heart of the city. I am so thrilled that the Architectural Heritage Foundation has taken on the challenge of redeveloping this building and that the Healey-Driscoll administration has committed $25 million in matching funds to make it happen. In a city full of rich history and stunning 20th century architecture, the Aud distinctively stands apart. I can’t wait to see it be reimagined for the 21st century.”

State Senator Peter Durant, Spencer

“I often hear from people with many memories of the Worcester Memorial Auditorium when it hosted wrestling and concerts but it’s also a very significant historic building which should be brought back. The $25 million in matching funds will help open doors for grant opportunities that to restore this iconic building which, we cannot forget, honors Worcester citizens who fought in WWI.”

State Representative John Mahoney, Worcester

“The Worcester delegation threw our support behind the Auditorium because it is an important landmark for the city of Worcester. Our constituents deserve to be able to take advantage of this wonderful amenity. We’re grateful the Administration is investing in the building and excited for AHF to give it a new life that can be enjoyed by all.”

State Representative Mary Keefe, Worcester 

“This is great news for our city.  The auditorium is first and foremost a memorial to soldiers of the first World War. This funding will allow us to preserve that fact and to repurpose the building to an active and new use.  Thank you to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for recognizing the value of this special building.”

State Representative Jim O’Day, Worcester   

“The Worcester Memorial Auditorium is an incredibly historic building, and efforts to maintain its longevity will be an asset to the economic development of the City of Worcester. I applaud Governor Healey’s commitment of the $25 million.” 

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2024 Year in Review

slarsson on December 13, 2024

2024 has been a year of partnerships and relationships. In this line of work, we never work alone – and this year, that was more apparent than ever. From working with municipalities to better understand their historic resources to guiding a Friends group to forge a future for a centuries-old meeting house, AHF is all about creating teams and sharing our expertise. 

Here are a few highlights from our year of partnerships. 

Worcester Memorial Auditorium, Worcester 

Following a productive 2024, optimism is high for the Worcester Memorial Auditorium. In partnership with CSL International, we developed a comprehensive business plan that outlines a sustainable operating model for the building—no small feat. The City of Worcester has also committed to repairing the roof, safeguarding the building against further water damage. AHF is grateful for the $1 million grant from the MassWorks Infrastructure Program, which will help offset future electrical costs. Most importantly, the project is now closer to full revitalization than at any point in the past 25 years, with expectations that 2025 will mark a significant step forward.

Russell School, Hadley

AHF partnered with Berkshire-based design/build firm Allegrone Companies on a feasibility study for the reuse of the Town of Hadley’s historic Russell School. Built in 1894 and part of the town’s historic town center, Russell School has been empty and unused for over a decade. The Town has hired our firms to evaluate possible reuse options, allowing for a more effective decision-making framework about how to move forward with this town-owned property. 

Wright and Jim’s House of Shoes buildings, Pittsfield

AHF has assisted Allegrone Companies with the redevelopment of the Wright Building in downtown Pittsfield over a number of years. The project, which consists of the rehabilitation and expansion of two vacant downtown buildings in walking distance to Pittsfield’s train station, reactivates this long-dormant block.  

2024 marks a big step forward for the project: Allegrone Companies received another state HTC allocation, an Underutilized Properties Program (UPP) grant from MassDevelopment, and successfully unlocked HDIP funding for the project. Thanks to these sources and combined with the accrued HTCs, construction on 35 mixed-income housing units and 6 retail spaces has commenced. 

Beyond the Wright Building, AHF has also been assisting Allegrone Companies in Pittsfield with various preservation consulting services, including Section 106 Review at a nonprofit healthcare facility as well as advancing a new state and federal tax credit project at an exciting and highly visible location.

Manor House at Elm Bank, Wellesley/Dover 

In 2024, AHF worked with Massachusetts Horticultural Society (MHS) on a grant application to support the restoration of the historic Manor House that is located within the Gardens at Elm Bank. Though this year’s application was unsuccessful, both organizations have a more concrete understanding of how to create a pathway forward for Manor House – and how AHF might serve MHS as a trusted historic preservation advisor in the future. 

Rodman House, New Bedford 

This year, AHF has taken on a significant restoration project at the Rodman House, one of New Bedford’s most significant historic resources. Built in 1833, the Greek Revival mansion’s monumental, highly intricate carved columns are distinctive – and in rough shape. AHF is working with Forma Inc. and AP Whitaker and Sons to fabricate a historically accurate replica of one the columns, using cutting edge CNC machining techniques. The goal is to reproduce existing conditions in a high-density urethane material that will be indistinguishable from the original mahogany. 

The original columns, which lasted for over 150 years, are remarkable examples of skilled carving/artisanship and old growth wood, and this next round of restoration work will likewise seek to ensure a very long second life. This work is being partially funded by a grant from the City of New Bedford Facade Program. 

Church on the Hill, Lenox 

The Lenox Meeting House has been a prominent part of the landscape of Lenox since 1806. Today, the Friends of the Lenox Meeting House are looking to make the building more accessible to all. This fall, AHF completed a Strategic Directives Report that will help guide the group as they make changes to allow for more flexible and diverse uses of the sanctuary and narthex, in addition to improving accessibility and adding a communal kitchen area. You can find out about the Friends’ efforts here.

2023 Year in Review

slarsson on December 20, 2023

It’s been another productive and exciting year at AHF. As we look out of our office windows at the Charles River Speedway, we can see the historic marketplace’s central courtyard trimmed with festive trees and lights. The small business community here is making merry with holiday events and special gifts. Our newest tenants, Rite Tea & Espresso and Pizza Project, have quickly become an integral part of this community, and have made our days even more delicious. The event space at Garage B has been bustling with weddings, end-of-year parties and holiday markets, and the new flexible event space in the upper courtyard, The Annex, has become a great addition to the Speedway’s offerings.  The Speedway is definitely worth a visit this holiday season and beyond! 

Beyond Brighton, AHF is involved with projects and preservation efforts across the Commonwealth. As 2023 draws to a close, we are happy to share a few highlights.

20 Years of Massachusetts State Tax Credit 

2023 brought us the 20th anniversary of the Massachusetts Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit (MHRTC), a powerful preservation incentive program that has unlocked over 700 projects across the Commonwealth since its inception. Without this program, AHF projects at Washington Mills and Charles River Speedway would never have been possible, and we are grateful to all of those who helped craft and implement what has become a model program for states all over the country.  Continued advocacy for the MHRTC has been ongoing through the years, including increasing the cap to meet demand and extending the program’s sunset date, with partners at Massachusetts Historical Commission and Preservation Massachusetts leading the way. We look forward to continuing to access the tax credit for projects of our own and for others that we are helping in our consulting work.

Underutilized Properties Program 

Since the program’s inception three years ago, we have worked with various project partners to apply for UPP grant funding to support a range of development activity at their respective sites. This year, we were pleased to support Alander Group’s successful submission for the next phase of their project located at 343 Main Street in Great Barrington. This grant will be used to renovate and convert a historic 22,504-square-foot building in Great Barrington into two retail spaces and 13 units of mixed-income housing. A big congratulations to all the awardees!  

Wright Building, Pittsfield

Another project that has benefited from UPP funding is the Wright Building, a long vacant three story former commercial building on North Street in Pittsfield. Following their successful neighboring downtown market rate housing projects at the Onota and Howard Buildings, Allegrone Companies is planning the residential conversion of this long vacant building. Allegrone and AHF are now going through the historic approvals process for the addition of a new construction infill building next to and eventually connecting to the Wright Building which will add 14 more much needed units to the overall project.  Awarded $525,000 in UPP funding from FY2023 for life safety improvements, there is great momentum going into the new year.  AHF looks forward to continuing to support the project, including helping the Allegrone’s apply for and secure Housing Development Initiative Program Tax Credits, in addition to continuing to shepherd the project through MHC and NPS historic tax credit programs. 

Worcester Memorial Auditorium

The Auditorium project reached new levels of credibility in 2023, turning AHF’s vision into a concrete set of goals and objectives. The Auditorium is closer to redevelopment than it has been at any point in the past 25 years. With the support of CSL International, the project has a realistic operating pro forma and a market analysis for multiple types of entertainment offerings. With the support of DBVW Architects, the design of a modern, tech-forward, entertainment and economic development facility is underway. 

In 2024, AHF will unveil new project partners for the Auditorium redevelopment with hopes to begin construction on infrastructure upgrades this year.

Paul Bruhn Grant comes to Massachusetts

We were happy to support the Pioneer Valley Regional Ventures Center’s (PVRVC) application for Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grant funds and were thrilled when they were awarded funding this year. AHF has worked behind the scenes for several years to galvanize engagement statewide to bring this resource to Massachusetts’ rural communities. The grant will support the creation of the Preservation Works in Western Mass subgrant program under the direction of PVRVC.

PVRVC’s new program will begin to close the funding gap for historic properties in rural communities and produce examples of the opportunity that exists to galvanize economic development by restoring and re-using National Register-listed community anchor buildings. The idea is to support economic development through the preservation of historic buildings in towns with fewer than 12,500 residents in Hampshire County, as well as small communities in Hampden and west central and southwest central Worcester counties. We look forward to supporting this endeavor across the western part of our state!

Comfort Kitchen, Boston 

This year, we saw the completion and the launch of the award-winning preservation project and new restaurant, Comfort Kitchen, in the Upham’s Corner neighborhood of Dorchester. AHF played a role in this project by providing a loan to Historic Boston, Inc., secured at a below-market fixed rate, to refinance a construction loan following the successful completion of work.

The former trolley system comfort station, a stucco 940-square-foot facility with full basement, underwent a $1.9 million historic rehabilitation with improvements that created Comfort Kitchen, a full-service cafĂ© with dinner operations. AHF was proud to  support community-based development and fund historic preservation projects in Boston’s neighborhoods.

North Schoolhouse, Mount Washington

The Mount Washington Historical Society (MWHS) and the Town of Mount Washington have begun to advance construction plans amidst on-going fundraising efforts. Their goal is to move the historic single room North Schoolhouse to a new and safer location and to restore it for community use as soon as it is financially feasible to do so. 

In 2023, AHF supported the town’s applications to two state grant programs. AHF also helped to connect proponents to Mount Washington’s State Representative Smitty Pignatelli, to expand awareness of the project and help identify additional funding sources. Increased awareness of the project has put it on the radar of two private foundations devoted to Berkshire County projects. MWHS applied to both funders in 2023 and have already received promising news. AHF will continue to work alongside the MWHS and the town of Mount Washington in 2024 to advocate for the  project and to help close the gap in the construction budget to get this shovel-ready project underway.

Marriner Mill, Lawrence

Lastly, we were thrilled to see our friends at Trinity Financial officially launch 87 beautiful new units of mixed income housing the Fabrica Lofts in Lawrence. Historically known as Marriner Mill, AHF began working with Trinity on this mill conversion shortly after wrapping up work at Arlington Point, Trinity’s adjacent 100 unit project that anchors the eastern portion of the Arlington Mills Historic District. Helping to meet severe housing needs in the Merrimack Valley, Fabrica Lofts is already 100% leased up, and AHF was pleased to provide tax credit consulting to the project team to help bring this important resource back to active use.

Welcome to Summer at The Speedway

Sean on June 7, 2023

Photo by Christian Phillips

With summer just around the corner, it’s time for an update on the Charles River Speedway!

It can be tough to point to  anything anniversary-related around the Speedway, because we never had a “grand opening” moment. (Actually, we had several “grand openings”!) Part of that is because construction schedules are always tricky, but also because COVID brought big delays. The realities of small businesses going through a global pandemic translated to a very staggered start. Notch Brewing opened in July of 2021, Bellwether Salon and House of Art & Craft opened that fall, Koji Club opened in February of 2022, Super Bien in August and so on…

So, instead of focusing on one particular day, let’s say this: we are approaching a new summer season at the Charles River Speedway and we have a lot of really interesting things going on here. With a few new small businesses joining our community this spring, there is a feeling around these parts that we are entering into a new, exciting phase of vitality and creativity here at the Speedway. 

We invite everyone to join in the fun!

Learn all about our Speedway community or – check us out on Dining Playbook!

Notch Brewing/Notch Provisions

Named Boston’s Best Brewery in 2022 by Boston Magazine, Notch Brewing’s Brighton taproom and biergarten is their take on a traditional Czech and German-style beer hall. Notch Brewing is well known for their classic session style beers from the Czech Republic, Germany, England, and Belgium. Notch Provisions has its own storefront facing the courtyard, and provides beer-friendly foods like sausages, cheese plates, pretzels and more. 

Bellwether Salon

The Speedway is lucky to be home to Master Stylist Melinda Brandt. This inclusive one-chair salon studio provides a one-on-one experience in a welcoming environment, amidst the backdrop of all the buzzing Speedway central courtyard.

New! Pizza Project

Just opened! Long-time Speedway friend, collaborator, and maker of delicious things, Dan and Allie Spinale have just opened their first brick and mortar location here at The Speedway. The focus of their menu here will be on Sicilian slices and sandwiches, with inventive salads and specials coming soon. 

House of Art & Craft

Filled with soothing scents, beautiful hand-poured soy wax candles and aromatherapy products, this is the first permanent brick + mortar location for Steysy Clark.  As well as being a resource for sustainable goods, Steysy also hosts regular workshops where participants learn to craft their own candles and soap. 

The Koji Club

THE place in Boston to enjoy all things sake. At award-winning Koji Club, guests can enjoy sake while also learning about its culture and history from industry leader and tastemaker Alyssa Mikkiko Dipasquale.  A beautiful jewel box of a space, the experience here is immersive and intimate. The Koji Club was recently named to Conde Nast Traveler’s Hot List – Top 20 restaurants in the world and Esquire’s Best Bars in America, 2023.

Super Bien

This sparkling gem of a Latin American grocery store-meets-wine bar from the Buenas team features empanadas, sauces, and snacks galore. The food is fun and incredibly tasty, the South American natural wine list is one of a kind, and there are a ton of great food finds to bring home to keep the party going. 

Birds of Paradise

From Ran Duan and the award-winning team behind Blossom Bar, Baldwin Bar and Ivory Pearl, Birds of Paradise features thoughtfully-made cocktails and “airline snacks” inspired by the golden age of travel.

New! Boston Women’s Market Incubator Shop 

BWM is bringing a new concept to The Speedway this summer – an incubator shop with a rotating slate of local women-founded small businesses, makers, and artists. The Incubator Shop is open Thursday-Sunday.

Opening soon: Rite Tea & Espresso (opening June 2023)

The first dedicated bricks and mortar location for the Wicked Thrawl, which has been popping up inside The Koji Club for the past six months. Rite will feature a very special tea program, espresso drinks, pour over coffee and a really exciting rotating slate of seasonal drinks. 

Photo by Adam Parshall

Garage B

A former Garage building, today it is the flexible events space located within The Speedway complex. Garage B hosts weddings, corporate events and meetings, family celebrations, and frequent markets and community events. 

ABOUT THE SPEEDWAY

The Speedway is a vibrant, dynamic marketplace in Brighton. Once the headquarters for the Charles River Reservation parkland, today the revitalized historic buildings and central courtyard are home to a unique collection of small businesses – including bars, restaurants, shops, a hair salon and a flexible event space. 

Built between 1899 and 1940, the Charles River Speedway is considered one of DCR’s “origin properties.”  Arranged around an interior courtyard, the buildings once served as police headquarters, Superintendent’s residence, horse stables, and maintenance garages for the Charles River Reservation, formerly under the authority of the Metropolitan District Commission. The complex was also a companion facility for the Speedway trotting park, a horse and bicycle racecourse that curved for a mile along present-day Soldiers Field Road.

Long underutilized, and then vacant for over a decade, the buildings fell into disrepair.

Through a unique public/private partnership called the Historic Curatorship Program, Architectural Heritage Foundation and DCR set forth on the redevelopment of the historic property in 2019, with the first tenant, Notch Brewing, opening their doors in July of 2021. 

Read more about the redevelopment of The Speedway.

Historic Boston Gets $250K AHF Loan For Upham’s Corner Rehabilitation Project

Sean on May 24, 2023

MEDIA RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE USE

May 23, 2033

HISTORIC BOSTON GETS $250K AHF LOAN FOR UPHAM’S CORNER REHABILITATION PROJECT

Abandoned Trolley System Building Now Houses ‘Comfort Kitchen’

BOSTON — Historic Boston Inc., the active nonprofit preservation organization, has secured a $250,000 loan from the Architectural Heritage Foundation for the Upham’s Corner Comfort Station in Dorchester, home to the new Comfort Kitchen restaurant.

The loan is to support the rehabilitation of the historic building, furthering an objective of Historic Boston, which is to help support local businesses in the neighborhood.

Historic Boston, which purchased, re-envisioned, and oversaw redevelopment of the abandoned structure at 611 Columbia Rd. in Dorchester into a restaurant, secured the loan from the Brighton-based lender.

Comfort Kitchen, serving customers since it opened for breakfast and lunch and dinner in January, is one of several Boston-based projects benefiting from proceeds of AHF’s sale of Boston’s Old City Hall. 

“Historic Boston’s objective was to preserve and reuse a local historic building, support an entrepreneur, and help to strengthen the Upham’s Corner commercial district,” said Tony Lopes, Director of Real Estate of HBI. “This project checks all those boxes besides just being a great new place to eat.”

The loan from AHF was secured at a below-market fixed rate, refinancing a construction loan following the successful completion of work on the building earlier this year.

“When we sold Old City Hall, we knew we wanted to use a portion of the proceeds to fund the historic preservation projects in Boston’s neighborhoods,” said AHF President Sean McDonnell. “The chance to support community-based development made it an even more attractive opportunity for AHF’s board of directors and staff. We are proud to play a role in this exciting project and thrilled to support the good work of Historic Boston and Comfort Kitchen.” 

Since 1966, AHF has been at the forefront of preserving and reactivating historic properties to stimulate community growth. AHF partners with public entities, nonprofit organizations, and private developers to find solutions for complicated historic preservation projects. 

Cameron S. Merrill of the law firm Merrill & McGeary of Boston and Jason A. Panos of The Panos Law Group of Peabody were legal advisors on the transaction.

UPHAM’S CORNER COMFORT STATION

The former trolley system comfort station, a stucco 940-square-foot facility with full basement, underwent a $1.9 million historic rehabilitation with improvements that created Comfort Kitchen, a full-service cafĂ© with dinner operations. The architect for Phase One of the development was Utile, Inc. Architecture + Planning of Boston. Phase Two, including the restaurant design, was by Supernormal of Cambridge. The contractor was  MJ Mawn, Inc.

The Upham’s Corner Comfort Station served Boston’s streetcar system and is near the MBTA’s Fairmount commuter rail line, as well as being within the City of Boston’s Upham’s Corner Main Street District. The building is a one-story stucco and tile “mission style” building built as a convenience station in 1912 to support the expanding streetcar system in Boston. It was designed by Dorchester architect William H. Besarick, who also designed the nearby municipal building at the corner of Columbia Road and Bird Street, as well as many triple-decker residences in the area.

The building is located on what was once part of the Dorchester North Burying Ground, which is listed in the State and National Register of Historic Places and within the cemetery’s Boston Landmark designation.

ABOUT HISTORIC BOSTON INC.

HBI is a nonprofit preservation and real estate organization that rehabilitates historic and culturally significant properties in Boston’s neighborhoods so they are a usable part of the city’s present and future.

HBI works with local partners to identify and invest in historic buildings and cultural resources whose reuse will catalyze neighborhood renewal. HBI acquires and redevelops historic structures and provides technical expertise, planning services and financing for rehabilitation projects. HBI projects demonstrate that preserving historic properties is economically viable and that they can be usable and functioning assets in a community.

Please visit HBI at  www.historicboston.org .

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info@ahfboston.com
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