We are finally seeing glimpses that the dreary grey that has held us in its grasp for the last few months will soon be giving way to sunshine and blue skies that mark the long-awaited arrival of spring. As the season symbolic of growth and renewal finally starts to make its presence felt, we can’t think of a more fitting time to fully dive back into the West Side’s very own symbol of rebirth and new life—186 Summer Ave. The only thing that could fill us with more excitement than warmer days and trees and flowers coming back to life all around us, is what the next few months hold in store for this special project.
What’s happened so far and what’s to come
Before we explore the current happenings at the house and all that lies ahead in the coming months, let’s take a moment to look back on the origins of this project and the progress that’s been made thus far.
Fall 2023
After a nearly a decade spent with the property shuttered and in-limbo, Reading resident and real estate developer Dennis O'Neill and neighboring Reading resident Jerry Lamb (Nash Partners, LLC), purchase 186 Summer Ave. Chrisanne Connolly and Jennifer Colvin are brought on board to help bring the vision to life and restore the property to its previous splendor.
April 2024
The make-shift addition and pergola are removed in preparation for breaking ground on the new addition
July 2024
Ground is broken on the new addition - footings are built and foundation poured
August 2024
Framing of the new addition begins
Fall 2024
Restoration of main home and barn facade begin, while major structural components of construction on the addition continue
Winter 2025
Interior work begins throughout - interior restorations, finish selections and custom mill work in full swing
And that brings us back to spring! The existing floors that were preserved throughout the home are being restored to their former glory. New flooring is being installed in the addition, set to match the original flooring and flow cohesively from room to room, seamlessly marrying old and new. The cabinets have arrived on site and have begun to be installed in the focal point of the main living space—the magnificent chef’s kitchen and our favorite part, the scullery! Additional interior elements—such as lighting, paint, and stone—carefully selected by the team to honor the rich history of this iconic home while guiding it into a new chapter for its future owners, will continue to arrive on-site and be installed over the coming weeks.
With each passing day, we’re able to see this historic property transform from a forgotten relic to a modern oasis—the legacy property that Robert Kemp envisioned when he built it over a century ago. We cannot wait to be able to share all the progress that’s been made but for now, check out a sneak peak of where things are below and stay tuned to the blog for all that’s to come!
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