Architectural Heritage Foundation

Architectural Heritage Foundation AHF preserves and revitalizes historic properties, invigorating the communities surrounding them. In

Since 1966, AHF has blended historic preservation with real estate development to transform dozens of derelict historic properties into community assets. At the height of Urban Renewal in Boston, we pioneered a new model for urban redevelopment that prioritized adapting old buildings to modern uses. Our first project was a series of feasibility studies for a hodgepodge of commercial buildings know

n as Quincy Market, providing the vision and financial model for the site’s rehabilitation as a unified marketplace and city hub. In so doing, we demonstrated that preservation could dovetail with modern development and investment. Our subsequent revitalization of Boston’s Old City Hall further showed that preservation and redevelopment are viable alternatives to demolition and new construction. When AHF won stewardship of the building in 1969, it was in danger of the wrecking ball. Our transformation of Old City Hall into a thriving restaurant and office building proved that historic properties could become key elements of the city’s urban fabric. At a time when there were few public resources to assist such activity, AHF was able to make preservation work. AHF continues to revitalize communities through reactivating their historic buildings and districts. We have expanded our focus to disinvested cities and towns beyond Boston, providing a variety of services to facilitate preservation and economic development. In our view, historic preservation is ultimately about people. We are guided by the principle that investing in our shared heritage is key to building a vibrant future.

Preservation Mass is looking for preservation projects that deserves recognition! Submit a nomination by April 11, 2026....
03/31/2026

Preservation Mass is looking for preservation projects that deserves recognition! Submit a nomination by April 11, 2026.

The best and most impactful preservation projects across the Commonwealth will be celebrated on June 11, 2026 at Fenway Park. Find out more via

Preservation is Revolutionary!

You’d think that with summer over, the might be slowing down a bit. WRONG. September is packed with incredibly fun even...
09/08/2025

You’d think that with summer over, the might be slowing down a bit. WRONG. September is packed with incredibly fun events that showcase one of this revitalized property’s best assets: its large communal courtyard. In the coming weeks, you can screen a 90s classic movie with , hoist an Oktoberfest stein with , and take part in some medieval faire activities during an upcoming ( where else will you see a live sword fight?!)

Last but not least, there’s a new buzzy food vendor in the mix, , serving up some of the tastiest sweet and savory treats around.

So, if you haven’t been to the Speedway yet, or recently — make September your month. Check out for details and dates!

The is now home to TACOS. The is now open, and serving up some incredible food. Pairs nicely with beer, we hear! Hav...
07/08/2025

The is now home to TACOS. The is now open, and serving up some incredible food. Pairs nicely with beer, we hear! Haven’t visited in awhile? Summertime is the perfect time to head to Brighton for .bos, .koji.club_ , , , and 💥💥💥

Big congratulations to our friends at on their BSLA Honor Award for the landscape design. Here are the Speedway, we g...
06/02/2025

Big congratulations to our friends at on their BSLA Honor Award for the landscape design. Here are the Speedway, we get to enjoy the “thoughtfully scaled and proportioned transformation” on a regular basis, and we couldn’t agree more.

May is Preservation Month! The National Trust for Historic Preservation has urged us to think about the “Power of Place...
05/14/2025

May is Preservation Month! The National Trust for Historic Preservation has urged us to think about the “Power of Place” - and for us, the Worcester Memorial Auditorium immediately comes to mind.

The rehabilitation and revitalization of the taps into all the ways that historic preservation can affect local communities - adding to a vibrant downtown, providing new places to gather, creating economic growth, and re-asserting the Auditorium as a centerpiece to Worcester’s civic pride. This is the Power of Place!



Read more - link in bio.

Built in 1833, the William Rodman House in New Bedford is known for its impressive facade, flanked by six ornate hand-ca...
04/23/2025

Built in 1833, the William Rodman House in New Bedford is known for its impressive facade, flanked by six ornate hand-carved columns - that are now deteriorating. 

How do you replicate the intricate craftsmanship of the original columns? For AHF, the answer lies with a group of talented designers mixing modern technology and traditional craftsmanship. 

Visit the link in bio for a Q&A with and to learn more about this groundbreaking project.

The little sake bar that could…. that’s how we think of the  .koji.club_ and its fearless leader, . And now! She has be...
01/30/2025

The little sake bar that could…. that’s how we think of the  .koji.club_ and its fearless leader, . And now! She has been nominated for  “Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service” by the prestigious James Beard Foundation.  And she does it all in a 250-square-foot delightfully cozy space in the . We are beyond impressed - with her knowledge, her knack for hospitality, and the special space she has created.  GO ALYSSA, GO!!!

Last week in Worcester, Healey announced more than $161 million for 313 Community One Stop for Growth grant awards to s...
10/30/2024

Last week in Worcester, Healey announced more than $161 million for 313 Community One Stop for Growth grant awards to support local economic development projects in 171 communities across the Commonwealth. Since the program’s inception, AHF has worked with project partners to apply for Community One Stop grant funding to support a range of development activity at their respective sites. AHF is pleased to announce that two AHF-supported projects have received grant funding during this round - the Worcester Memorial Auditorium and the Wright Building in Pittsfield. Read our recent blog post for more details (link in bio.)

Rising on the hill above the town, the Church on the Hill is an iconic building in Lenox. Dedicated in 1806, the distinc...
10/07/2024

Rising on the hill above the town, the Church on the Hill is an iconic building in Lenox. Dedicated in 1806, the distinctive Federalist-style building began as the Lenox Meeting House, hosting municipal and community meetings during the week and worship services on Sundays. Today, the building is beloved but underutilized. It offers great potential to benefit the wider community as an affordable venue for all kinds of events, activities, and performances.

The Friends of the Lenox Meeting House seek to expand community access to the building, which will entail making the interior spaces ADA compliant and flexible to allow for a variety of uses and groups. AHF is working with the Friends to guide them through the project’s historic preservation challenges and opportunities, including project phasing, funding and grant sources, and marketing planning for donor visibility and potential future users of the space.

How beautiful is this building?!

📸 #1 -

Over the summer, Justin van Deursen reached out to tell us that his great grand uncle, Enrico Liva, an Italian stone ca...
09/24/2024

Over the summer, Justin van Deursen reached out to tell us that his great grand uncle, Enrico Liva, an Italian stone carver, had carved several of the decorative panels that grace the exterior of the Worcester Memorial Auditorium . Van Deursen has been researching and writing a biography about his stone carving ancestors, when he came across a reference to the Auditorium. After examining the building on Google Street View, he realized he had several photos of the carvings that his great grand uncle made for the building in his studio in Bedford, Indiana. Visit the link in bio to learn more! (We are obsessed with these photos.)

We think that the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Backing Historic Small Restaurants grant program is one of...
08/05/2024

We think that the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Backing Historic Small Restaurants grant program is one of the best out there. Restaurants are the backbone of our communities, and play a huge role in economic development and historic preservation. Happy to see our friends at represented here this year!

Learn more at the link in our bio.

Huge congratulations to ’s .of.paradise.bar for receiving the “Best New Bar” accolade!! We continue to be so incredibly...
07/02/2024

Huge congratulations to ’s .of.paradise.bar for receiving the “Best New Bar” accolade!! We continue to be so incredibly impressed with this team and all that they have dreamed up and accomplished. If you haven’t visited yet - you simply must!

Address

525 Western Avenue
Boston, MA
02135

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Architectural Heritage Foundation posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Architectural Heritage Foundation:

Shortcuts

Featured

Share

Category