Sunday, April 29
PITTSFIELD — A transformation is slowly taking shape in the former Crane School on Dartmouth Street. Built in 1927, the structure is a majestic architectural brick-and-stone testimonial to the era. An elementary school until the early 1980s, it was re-divided and took on a second life as apartments.
But for the past two years, the 30 units have been slowly becoming owner-occupied condominiums, at the rate of about six per year.
Pittsfield Community Development Director Deanna Ruffer said the project will tend to increase homeownership in the Morningside neighborhood, which will strengthen the “pride in the neighborhood.” And while it has always been good housing, it will now continue to be a part of the affordable housing stock for the city.
“The space is awfully nice, and the place is built like a bomb shelter,” said Dana Carpenter, a partner in Blythewood Realty LLC, which owns the building. “The 18-inch-thick brick walls are just as sturdy as can be, and the 12-foot ceilings give you the feeling of openness.”
The common areas, inside and out, have been renewed. Although the interior still bears the original wrought-iron and oak staircase banisters, the added slate flooring and subdued color schemes on the walls, the entryways and high hallways have new appeal.
The uniquely designed layouts of the condos are also fun to explore. Some have lofts, some are split-level units, and all have a different feature.
They also share huge windows.
Tucked away on Dartmouth Street, the Crane Park Condominiums are, for the most part, hidden away from Tyler Street traffic, but an attractive sight once spotted.
The one-acre property is surrounded by a wrought-iron fence, and a vast backyard includes a gazebo and picnic table. Across the street is a park and playground.
The wiring, plumbing and heating/air conditioning in each unit are being refurbished and the hardwood flooring is being refurbished in at least part of each unit. New lighting and plumbing fixtures also have been added.
As the apartment tenants leave the building, the units are renovated and put up for sale, Carpenter said. All 16 vacant units have been completed now, with about 10 already sold.
He said Blythewood bought the property at auction in 1999 for $900,000 and has invested about $1.3 million in upgrading the interiors and the exterior, including 16 garages. It will cost about another $1.2 million to complete the project, Carpenter said.
“They all have their own unique charm, which makes them kind of interesting,” he said.
The units range from 600 square feet to 1,250 square feet, and the prices range from $120,000 to $190,000, he said.
Mandy Victor, a Realtor with Stone House Properties, has sold several of the units. When she shows the condos to prospective buyers, they are surprised at the spacious feel and different designs.
“There is such a lot of space,” she said. “They appear very much like a New York City condo.”
Already, the condos have become home for retirees and young professionals, including an engineer, a computer analyst, a police officer and a doctor.
“It continues to meet a need for affordable housing for the community’s work force, while providing homeownership opportunities in an important urban neighborhood,” Ruffer said.
