Fort Hill

Gloucester, MA

Originally designed in 1893 by prominent Boston architect Samuel Dudley Kelley, this expansive Shingle Style home on Eastern Point had undergone a series of additions over the years. However, none of those additions considered the house as a whole, and some departed from the original architectural character of the house. The current residents sought to restore areas in disrepair, reprogram existing spaces to fit their lifestyle, and introduce new additions that improved layout, circulation, and daylight—all while enhancing the exterior character by building upon the home’s original detailing.

Rooms reimagined and improved

At the garden level, the existing garage was converted into a mudroom and bathroom, providing direct access to the attached guest cottage. A new stair was also introduced, linking this level to the first floor and improving overall circulation.

An elevated home, realized

The first floor now features a kitchen and pantry addition, a new conservatory above the mudroom, a powder room, an office, and reprogrammed living and dining spaces. On the second floor, the renovations added ensuite bathrooms and walk-in closets to two existing bedrooms, while introducing a new master suite with bedroom, his-and-hers closets, a sitting room, a master bathroom, and a spacious laundry.

A third-floor retreat

The home’s main roof structure, which once housed the servant’s quarters, was removed to make way for a new roof with reconfigured dormers. This change created space for a new stair to the third floor, two additional bedrooms with ensuite baths and closets, and a versatile lounge/game room.