Babcock-Shattuck House (former Jewish War Veterans' Post) Work Progresses

Syracuse, NY. Babcock-Shattuck House restoration. Photo: Samuel D. Gruber July 31, 2013.

Syracuse, NY. Babcock-Shattuck House before restoration.  Photo: Samuel D. Gruber January 2012.

Syracuse, NY. Babcock-Shattuck House restoration. Rebuilding front porch. Photo: Samuel D. Gruber January 2013.

Syracuse, NY. Babcock-Shattuck House restoration. Photo: Samuel D. Gruber July 31, 2013.

Babcock-Shattuck House (former Jewish War Veterans' Post) Work Progresses

With every passing day the Babcock-Shattuck House (former Jewish War Veterans' Post) looks more like a house and less like a wreck.  After more than fifteen years of plans, false  starts and waiting it is good to see the transformation of this important Eastside landmark, which has been designated a local protected site and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  The restoration project - which will create four distinctive condominium apartments inside (click here for floor plans) is a project of the University Neighborhood Preservation Association (UNPA) assisted by Home HeadQuarters.  For many months structural and other important work has been done that is hardly visible - but is labor intensive and essential to the building's use and survival.  Crawford & Stearns are architects for the project.

As a neighborhood representative on the advisory committee, I had a tour of the inside earlier this summer.  Now, however, the final work on the exterior - the visible pieces including windows and and repaired and new moldings and siding are begin put in place.  The results are thrilling.  Once again this fine Queen Anne style house will be a worthy gateway to the Westcott Neighborhood. Plan are for the exterior restoration to be completed in time for the Westcott Cultural Fair in September.  Interior construction of the residential units will begin soon afterward.

Syracuse, NY. Babcock-Shattuck House restoration. Photo: Samuel D. Gruber July 31, 2013.

Syracuse, NY. Babcock-Shattuck House restoration. Photo: Samuel D. Gruber July 31, 2013.

 

Syracuse, NY. Babcock-Shattuck House. Back porch before restoration. Photo: Samuel D. Gruber January 2012.

Syracuse, NY. Babcock-Shattuck House restoration. Rebuilding back porch/ Photo: Samuel D. Gruber June, 2013.

Syracuse, NY. Babcock-Shattuck House restoration. Photo: Samuel D. Gruber July 31, 2013.