- Built
- c. 1805
- Style
- Federal Federal
- Neighborhood
- Ocean Mills District
- MACRIS
- NWB.74 ↗
- Formerly
- 31–33 Kent Street
History
The brick house at the corner of Kent and Russia Streets in Newburyport’s North End was built in 1805 as part of the town’s effort to improve school accommodations for boys, replacing earlier classes held in homes.
Originally a one-story schoolhouse designed by joiner Benjamin Somerby and mason William Toppan, the building was soon expanded to two stories, with classrooms and fireplaces on each floor. Boys entered the first-floor classroom, while girls, when educated there, used the second floor. Constructed with quality bricks, stone foundations, pine roofing, 7x9 glass windows, and a belfry, the school served hundreds of students over nearly fifty years.
By 1854, the building was deemed unsafe and sold to Albert Currier, a mason, contractor, and future mayor, who converted it into a residence. Over the following decades, alterations gradually obscured its original Federal period character. A serious fire in 1972 led to a significant renovation completed between 1975 and 1978, resulting in the architectural features seen today. In 2013, it was featured on the TV series Flipping Boston when converted into two condominiums.
Planning work on this building?
Reviews that may apply
Newburyport Historic District (National Register, listed 1984) · Demolition Control Overlay District (DCOD) · Parcel 52-12-A/B · Zone R2
Zoning Board of Appeals may decide
In the DCOD. Whether removing more than 25% of the exterior walls needs a DCOD special permit depends on the building’s status in the 1984 National Register nomination, which this site has not matched for this lot yet; the Office of Planning and Development keeps the list.
Newburyport Historical Commission decides whether to impose a delay
Built c. 1805, so 75 or more years old: removing more than 25% of its exterior walls, changing the roofline (pitch, towers, cupolas, anything projecting above the roof), moving it, or adding a dormer that misses the setback and pitch rules is "demolition" under the demolition delay ordinance. The Commission holds a hearing within 30 days and may impose a delay of up to 18 months. Parts of the building documented as younger than 75 years are excluded on a written determination by the Zoning Administrator.
Code of Ordinances ch. 5 art. X, §§5-307–5-308 (June 2026) ↗
Zoning Administrator first stop
Every project starts with a zoning determination from the Zoning Administrator, which says which of these reviews apply and whether the work also needs zoning relief (a special permit for a non-conformity, or a variance). Fees, forms and filing deadlines are on the City’s site.
Not legal advice, not an official City publication, and not the position of the Historical Commission or any board. Says what the ordinances say as of September 30, 2026; the Zoning Administrator decides what applies. Boundaries: Merrimack Valley Planning Commission / City of Newburyport GIS (MIMAP); 1984 status from the National Register nomination's district data sheets. City's quick guide to the DCOD and demolition delay ↗ · Do I need approval? Project by project →
More photos
2 views · Biff Bouse
From the archive
4 items · maps, papers, old photographs
More built 1775–1830
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System - NWB.74
- “Plan of Newburyport, Mass. from an actual survey.” Map. Philadelphia: H. McIntyre, 1851.
- “Newburyport, Essex County, Massachusetts.” Map(s). Sanborn Map Company, May, 1888; Oct, 1914.
- 1914 Sanborn map, sheet 9 (Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, Sanborn Maps Collection)