Telephone Exchange
Live/Work Artist’s Lofts

The 1906 Telephone Exchange Building: A Restoration Journey

In our commitment to preserving history and contributing to our local cultural district, we purchased The 1906 Telephone Exchange Building from Verizon, intending to transform it into our architectural studio and home. Situated in the heart of the historic Town Hall Square of the Winchester Cultural District, the studio offers easy access to the town center, library, Griffin Museum, Jenks Center, town hall, schools, and the commuter train to Boston.

Before the transformation began, the building was in a deplorable state. However, we recognized its potential and were ready for the challenge. We set out with three clear objectives for the adaptive reuse of this historic building.

Firstly, we aimed to restore the exterior of the building, with a vision to reintegrate it as a proud and contributing member of the historic town center fabric. Bearing witness to a significant era of architectural history, this restoration journey aimed to breathe new life into the old structure, while paying homage to its original form and purpose.

Categories: Arts, Music, Education, and Culture | Workspace Incubator | Spiritual Retreats | Commemorative Spaces | Residential Retreats | Sustainable Design | Inclusive Architecture

The 1906 Telephone Exchange Live/Work Artist’s Lofts.

The 1906 Telephone Exchange Live/Work Artist’s Lofts.

Watch this video of the completed 1906 Telephone Exchange Live/Work Artist’s Lofts for lifelong living.

Watch this video of the completed 1906 Telephone Exchange Live/Work Artist’s Lofts for lifelong living.

First, to restore the exterior of the building to return a proud, contributing civic member to the historic town center fabric.

First, to restore the exterior of the building to return a proud, contributing civic member to the historic town center fabric.

Photographs from the Town Archives Poster of the Winchester Telephone Exchange 1906 opening day.

Photographs from the Town Archives Poster of the Winchester Telephone Exchange 1906 opening day.

The photo above shows the completed exterior renovation a turning point to expand our focus to the second objective to build sustainably reducing the building’s carbon footprint and adding a green building to the community on the interior as well as

The photo above shows the completed exterior renovation a turning point to expand our focus to the second objective to build sustainably reducing the building’s carbon footprint and adding a green building to the community on the interior as well as the exterior of the building.

We sized the parking spaces, pitched the parking terrace, and walkway to create an accessible route from the sidewalk curb to the new accessible entries and elevator. We installed brick pavers, raised planting beds with granite curb, planted hedge an

We sized the parking spaces, pitched the parking terrace, and walkway to create an accessible route from the sidewalk curb to the new accessible entries and elevator. We installed brick pavers, raised planting beds with granite curb, planted hedge and pear trees creating a soft edge to the street.

Also planted a small urban vegetable garden with ground cover and flowers to recharge the soil, reduce the carbon footprint, and attract pollinating bees and Monarch butterflies.

Also planted a small urban vegetable garden with ground cover and flowers to recharge the soil, reduce the carbon footprint, and attract pollinating bees and Monarch butterflies.

When completed, the addition will provide views of the town hall, bell tower, the town’s steeples and the ever-changing light of day.

When completed, the addition will provide views of the town hall, bell tower, the town’s steeples and the ever-changing light of day.

Photo showing the completed kitchen and music loft nook.

Photo showing the completed kitchen and music loft nook.

Detail photo of the completed kitchen.

Detail photo of the completed kitchen.

Detail at the kitchen glass tile and sapele quoins backsplash.

Detail at the kitchen glass tile and sapele quoins backsplash.

Photo of the completed conference area, coffee bar and gas fireplace.

Photo of the completed conference area, coffee bar and gas fireplace.

The photo above shows the completed exterior and interior at twilight illuminated with LED lighting.

The photo above shows the completed exterior and interior at twilight illuminated with LED lighting.

Nadine Suhrbier wood sculpture inhabiting the loft stair landing at sunset.

Nadine Suhrbier wood sculpture inhabiting the loft stair landing at sunset.

  • “I thank my lucky star to now paint in Mary’s beautifully designed artist loft studio. I dreamt of having a loft painting studio for years to paint seriously and push my paintings further, and it came true...”

    – Jenny L. O.