The redevelopment of 509 Forest Ave. in Portland, into 38 apartments and 12,000 square feet of commercial space, has revealed a number of historical architectural features.
For decades, the building’s façade was obscured by mid-century updates. But in 2023, exploratory demolition revealed that much of the original architectural detailing still survived, intact beneath the surface.
The restoration includes original brickwork and concrete floors, cast stone medallions and window openings. A new metal canopy will mark the entry.
Dubbed Rumery Lofts, the redevelopment is a project of Developers Collaborative of Portland, whose affiliate DC 509 Forest LLC bought the former auto dealership as part of a larger block of five adjacent buildings along Forest Avenue.
Of the 38 apartments, 14 leases have been signed and seven are pending application approval or lease signing, Lily Brennan, of Developer’s Collaborative, told Mainebiz.
So far signing on for ground-floor commercial space is Lux Box, a gift box curation service for event and corporate planners.
Tenants will soon be moving in, said Stairs.
Built in 1928, 509 Forest Ave. was one of six dealership showrooms developed by the Dartmouth Real Estate Co. and constructed by local builder Frank A. Rumery, according to a news release.
The adjoining buildings, spanning 495 to 533 Forest Ave., were connected by “party” walls, or shared walls. Each glass-fronted showroom represented a different automaker, such as Packard and Plymouth. There were underground service garages and upstairs offices.Â
At 509 Forest Ave., the second floor held a surprise: a grand dance hall called Ricker Gardens.
From 1932 to 1944, Ricker Gardens drew musical performers such as Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey.Â
The project is nearing completion. Ducas Construction in Scarborough is handling the rebuild, which was estimated to cost close to $16Â million.
Bunker recently told Mainebiz that plans for the other buildings are still on the drawing board.