Celebrating the Addition at 186 Summer Avenue
While we're thrilled to be restoring the original building, we simply can't contain our excitement over everything the new addition has to offer!
The team has collaborated at every step of the process to honor 186 Summer Avenue's historical significance and preserve its charm even in the new portions of the home. The multi-story addition’s exterior design features simulated divided-light windows with black grilles and multiple muntins to complement the design features of the original structure. Meanwhile, inside and out, we've worked to include everything a modern buyer could dream of.
What to Know About the Multi-Story Addition
Here are some of the highlights that we know potential buyers will fall head-over-heels for:
The Garage
The new two-car under-garage and mudroom are teaming with storage possibilities and are directly accessible to the house by way of the original basement.
A First Floor Made for Gathering
The open-concept family room, dining area, and chef's kitchen are made to bring people together. Tucked away and accessible from an exterior side entrance, you'll also find a scullery or small working kitchen to hide the mess when entertaining. Other first-floor features include a welcoming foyer, a formal living room, and a formal dining room showcasing one of the home's original fireplaces.
The Deck
The new deck, accessible from the first-floor gathering spaces, features natural cedar decking and offers the perfect outdoor space for grilling, relaxing, and hosting.
Second Floor Primary Suite
The second-floor primary suite is an absolute dream come true. It features dual walk-in closets, an office/nursery, and a charming south-facing Juliet balcony overlooking the expansive side yard. The spa-style bath includes everything you'd need to relax and refresh, including a walk-in tiled shower, water closet, and soaking tub.
Second Floor Beds & Baths
In addition to the primary suite, there are three additional spacious bedrooms on the second floor, one with an ensuite bath and the others with access to a hall bath.
Third Floor Guest/Au Pair Suite
The third-floor guest/au pair suite offers comfortable accommodations, including a bedroom, kitchenette counter (with built-in refrigerator, sink, and microwave), cozy dining area, ¾ bath, and generous closets.
Third Floor Bonus Room
Also on the third floor, you’ll find a large bonus room, which offers the ideal spot for recreation, home theater, or play!
Addition Construction Progress Update
Whether you've been away on summer adventures or had a chance to walk or drive by the property, you might be curious about what's been happening with the addition over the summer months.
Things are certainly coming together, and we have some busy months ahead. Here’s an update on the process that we’ve made since early July:
Breaking Ground
We broke ground on the new addition on July 10, just a few weeks later than initially planned. For a project of this scope and scale, staying this close to our target timeline was incredible. We were thrilled to discover the soil was in fantastic condition—nice and dry with no ledge, rubbish, or drainage issues.
Foundation expert Steven Selma and structural engineer Brian Jones seamlessly tied the new 18’ x 48’ foundation into the existing foundation, accomplishing the task with expert care and precision.
Building the Footings
Footings are the bottom part of a foundation and are wider than the foundation wall. Proper, level footings are crucial in any new building or addition because they evenly distribute the structure's weight and prevent moisture from getting into and damaging the foundation. The Town of Reading inspected and approved the footings before the foundation was poured.
Pouring the Foundation
The entire foundation was poured in late July after footings were approved. Take a look at this time-lapse footage of the process:
Framing the Addition
Once the foundation cured, the construction team got to work on framing the new addition at the start of August. Framing creates a skeleton on a structure that will support everything else, including the siding, insulation, shingles, and drywall. It's a surprisingly fast process. Take a peek at this speed-up version of the framing process at 186 Summer Avenue:
Stay in the Know
More than most projects, this has truly been a community-driven affair!
We invite you to continue following along on the blog for updates about the future of 186 Summer Avenue as we head toward the fall.
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