Who would have thought in 1889, when Gloucester High School opened, that more than a century later it would be celebrated as a home for elderly Gloucester residents.
The building at 10 Dale Ave. ceased being the city’s high school in 1941, and became Central Grammar School. Central Grammar closed at the end of the school year in 1971, and Action Inc. proposed transforming the building into affordable senior housing.
The Gloucester Development Team — then Action Executive Director Denton Crews, Bill Rochford, Carmine Gorga, and architect Kirk Noyes — bought the property. The team began converting the school to 80 apartments in 1974 and the first resident moved in in October 1975.
Recently, residents, the builders, and other got together to celebrate the building 50th anniversary at housing for Cape Ann seniors.
According to state Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, who attended the apartment building’s 50th anniversary celebration, it was the nation’s first adaptive reuse of a school building, a model that continues to thrive today.
Many residents, including a former superintendent, attended class in the building at one time. Several former teachers have lived in the Central Grammar’s 80 units as well.
The building boosts its original granite entrance, a slate roof, and copper cornices, as much a selling point as its location across from City Hall, the post office and the library. Some units boast ocean views or small gardens, original classroom closets, wainscotting, moldings, window frames, and portions of classroom doors still labeled with original classroom numbers. Original brickwork is seen in the foyers and in many common areas.
A major renovation took place in 2011, providing new bathrooms, kitchens, ceiling fans, and storage lockers. The building had a complete sprinkler system installed, a change from oil to gas heat, waterproofing, and outside garden and patio area upgrades.
The Community Builder’s Inc., formerly The Greater Boston Community Development, has managed the property since it opened in 1975.