As many of you in the local Reading community have likely heard, we woke this morning to the devastating news that our beloved 186 Summer Avenue project was overtaken by flames in the early hours of Wednesday. Around 1 a.m., the Reading Fire Department received reports of flames pouring out of the barn, and tragically, the main house was soon engulfed as well.

While we are heartbroken to have been so close to the finish line, only to have years of progress undone in an instant, we would be remiss not to recognize all that remains to be grateful for. We extend our deepest thanks to the Reading Fire Department, as well as to the neighboring communities of North Reading, Stoneham, Wakefield, Woburn, Burlington, and Lawrence, whose firefighters worked tirelessly alongside the RFD through the night and well into the day to contain and extinguish the fire. Their efforts have protected the residents of Summer Avenue and the surrounding community from even greater damage. We also want to acknowledge all who have worked tirelessly to revitalize this special property over the past 2 years, including our dear owners, the architects, dozens of contractors, designers, and the volunteer members of the Reading historic societies. 

Though many details are still unknown and won’t be for quite sometime, one thing is certain: this is not the end of the story of 186 Summer Avenue.

Our wonderful Reading community has been so deeply invested in this project and its progress since its inception, and we are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support we have received since today’s heartrending twist in the plot. We will continue to provide updates here as new developments arise.