- Built
- c. 1845
- Style
- Greek Revival Greek Revival
- Neighborhood
- Ocean Mills District
- MACRIS
- NWB.76 ↗
- Also
- 34 Dove Street
History
This building is an excellent example of the type of multiple-family dwelling built during the mid-nineteenth century to house workers associated with the mill industries in Newburyport. This building is one of three on Munroe Street, the other two being 10-12 and 14-16 Munroe.
The details of these tenements are simple, yet typically Greek Revival. The notable architectural features include the cornerboards and doorways, which are simply detailed to recall the classical orders. The doorway is trabeated, featuring a wide fascia above the door, as well as sidelights and applied pilasters to either side.
This building is one of three tenements constructed on Monroe Street, across from the Ocean Steam Mills. The buildings were built by James Blood. Blood lived on Merrimac Street and speculated heavily in real estate in the North End. He built these three tenements in 1845, the same year in which the Ocean Steam Mill was incorporated for the manufacture of cotton cloth. The company built a large, four-story brick factory on Monroe Street, across from the tenements.
By 1872, these three buildings had been sold to the Ocean Mills. The buildings were used as boarding houses for the factory until the end of the nineteenth century. By that time, shoe workers were the boarders, as the manufacturing of cotton cloth was discontinued in the mill in 1889. Subsequently, the mill was used by Burley, Stevens, and Company, manufacturers of shoes and boots. Today, these residential buildings are multiple-family dwellings and remain relatively unchanged since their original construction.
Planning work on this building?
Reviews that may apply
Newburyport Historic District (National Register, listed 1984), contributing in the 1984 nomination · Demolition Control Overlay District (DCOD) · Parcel 54-36 · Zone R2
Zoning Board of Appeals decides
Listed as contributing in 1984, so removing more than 25% of its exterior walls, counted cumulatively since 2014 and including walls enclosed by an addition or openings filled in, needs a DCOD special permit; the Board may grant one only if the building retains no substantial remaining market value or reasonable use. The Historical Commission sends an advisory report. Replacing siding, or windows and doors in their openings, does not count.
Newburyport Historical Commission decides whether to impose a delay
Built c. 1845, 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. In the DCOD the wall test goes to the Zoning Board instead; the Commission keeps roofline, roof pitch and dormer work. 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 built 1830–1860
Sources
- Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS), NWB.76