Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission (RIHPHC) has honored the RumfordCenter with a State Preservation Project Award. The award recognizes the “particularly high quality rehabilitation” of the 9 building, 200,000 square-foot, nationally-registered historic Rumford Chemical Works mill into modern mixed-use complex.
PK Rumford, a joint venture of the Peregrine Group and Kirkbrae Properties, developed the RumfordCenter complex, which now consists of 88 residential apartments, 60,000 square feet of office space and 7,000 square feet of retail space.
New England Construction worked collaboratively with the team of the architect, Prellwitz/Chelinski Associates, the owner, and other project team members to collectively understand the construction and budget risks of this massive project, all the while coordinating with the local and national preservation authorities and local building officials, balancing the need for historical accuracy with budget sensitivity. New England Construction provided preconstruction services consisting of progress budgeting, site logistics, project sequencing, historic compliance and master scheduling. Additionally, New England Construction provided at risk construction management services consisting of construction oversight, schedule compliance, subcontract management, change management and sequential turnover.
Rumford Chemical Works began commercially producing baking powder on this site as early as 1856. At its height of activity around the turn of the 20th century, Rumford Chemical included 300 acres of working farms and communities to sustain the factory workers, and the Village of Rumford was called the “kitchen capital of the world.” Rumford Chemical Works closed its doors for good in 1968, and over the next 40 years the buildings gradually fell into disrepair.
Nearly everyone living in the surrounding community has a connection to the property, and its revitalization has a significant local cultural impact. “On behalf of New England Construction, I would like to congratulate PK Rumford on this achievement. It is a testament to their commitment as developers to honor the history and heritage of this special place that made this award possible”, said John Pignataro, President of New England Construction. “As part of the community of Rumford ourselves, we take special pride in our involvement in the preservation of this important property.”
