DRB approves door‑to‑window conversion at 176 Spring Street with salvage condition

The Design Review Board on July 8 approved a façade modification at 176 Spring Street that converts a side porch door into a window, provided the applicant retains the removed doors on site for potential future reinstallation.

Ben Nathan, the contractor, proposed salvaging the decorative door trim and matching new windows and siding to existing painted cedar. Board members said preserving the exterior trim would help retain the building's story, even if the opening is being adapted for current interior needs. One board member suggested retaining the trim and infilling the lower panel so the façade continues to "tell the story" of a former doorway; the applicant said he would try to salvage as much of the original fabric as possible and store it on site.

The board approved the façade change with the single condition that the existing doors be retained on‑site, and recommended applicant preserve interior trim if feasible.