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Claflin Block
Claflin Block
Built ca. 1882
Claflin Block pre-1979
Building History
The Claflin Block is an excellent example of a hybrid Italianate-Queen Anne style commercial structure with its segmental arched window heads and patterned brick parapet. The building forms a pair with the similarly scaled and styled Southwick Block to the southwest.
The building was built ca. 1882 by the Southwick family, who also built the adjoining Southwick Block, as a real estate investment in the still-booming Lowell of the late 19th century. The building was named for Royal Southwick’s wife, Direxa Claflin, daughter of Milford mayor Major John Claflin. Royal Southwick and his wife had come to Lowell in 1829 to take charge of carding and spinning in a carpet factory, then in 1844 he went to England to study manufacturing systems. Upon his return, he bought factories in North Chelmsford and by 1859, had moved to Lowell from Boston.
The backstreet location of the building along Prescott Street did not lend the building to office tenancy but the building was instead rented to various commercial concerns, which used the upper floors to warehouse their inventories. The Gookin Brothers, furniture dealers, were an early tenant as were the Union Tea Company and Bay State Dyers.
The building is more commonly known locally as the former home of Lull & Hartford Sporting Goods.
Preservation and Reuse
In 1981, some low cost improvements were undertaken that enhanced the building’s appearance. Deteriorated and overly large signage was removed, the painted brick façade was chemically cleaned, and storefronts and windows were painted.
In 2004, a full rehabilitation of the building began to convert the building into renewed ground floor commercial space and 17 residential condominiums on the upper floors. Work has included new replica wood windows and restoration of the existing period storefronts along with the creation of the new interior spaces.