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 several additions over the years. While each reflected the needs of its time, none fully considered the house as a cohesive whole, and some departed from the character of the original architecture. The current homeowners sought to restore areas in disrepair, reconfigure existing spaces to better support modern living, and improve the home’s layout, circulation, and access to natural light.

LDa was engaged to design a new addition and the associated interior renovations, including the dining room and adjacent living spaces. The design carefully integrates the new addition with the historic residence, creating a thoughtful connection between old and new while honoring the home’s original character.

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.