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Union Square Neighbors encourages restoration of historic Eberle Building in Union Square as US2 moves in

Union Square Neighbors (USN), a grassroots, independent neighborhood association comprised of residents and stakeholders in Union Square congratulates the US2 master developer team on their recently announced plans to partner with WorkBar and establish a joint office and co-working space in Union Square on the ground floor of the historic Eberle Building at 31-34 Union Square.

Establishing a physical presence in Union Square was an important criterion during the selection process for a Master Developer, and we are glad that US2 has chosen to locate in one of Union Square’s most prominent historic commercial buildings in the middle of Union Square’s existing commercial district. Their partnership with WorkBar is a positive step towards their commitment to helping establish Union Square as an employment center. US2 has also committed to helping preserve the historical character and authenticity that everybody loves about Union Square today, and part of realizing this commitment should include helping encourage the preservation and restoration of the part of the building they are occupying.

The Eberle Building is one of the few surviving examples of late 19th Century commercial architecture in Union Square, a period of time not so different from today when Union Square underwent significant growth as a result of improvements in streetcar lines and new businesses locating here. Erected in 1884 by the German businessman Philip Eberle who lived nearby on Columbus Street, the building is also an example of the significant contributions of immigrants to the area’s late 19th-century development.

US2 and WorkBar will occupy the larger retail space on the ground floor, and the smaller space remains occupied by Third Life Studio. Other stores that have been located here over the years include Elegant Furniture, the Backer Hardware Company and the Modern Furniture Company. The top floor housed a meeting hall which was used as meeting space for numerous social and fraternal organizations that flourished in the late 19th Century. Years later, the top floor was used as a dance hall. Unfortunately, today this fantastic space is being used only for storage, and a 2011 study commissioned by the City found that significant work is needed to undertake a full restoration and bring the space up to modern building code requirements, which the current owners have not done.

The Eberle Building remains the best preserved of the large commercial buildings that are left in Union Square, and has been recommended as eligible listing in the National Register of Historic Places by the Massachusetts Historic Commission. This would be among the most important buildings in a future Union Square Historic District.

Remarkably, the ornate wood and glass storefront on the ground floor has survived largely intact, though it has fallen into disrepair after years of neglect by the building owner. The richly detailed windows and panels are a unique part of Union Square’s character and a really nice part of walking down this street.

In its current condition, the existing storefront likely needs significant restoration work or replacement, and it would be a shame if the owners of the building elected to take the cheapest route and replace the historic storefront with generic windows. Given the changes that are anticipated around the Union Square neighborhood in the years to come, it is important to balance the new with conservation of a sense of the historic neighborhood where appropriate and where possible. We encourage the owners of the Eberle Building to undertake a historically sensitive renovation of the storefront, and hope that US2’s occupancy and investment in the space they are leasing can act as a catalyst for a full restoration of the building in the future.

Signed,
Tim Talun,
Chairman of Union Square Neighbors