Project Spotlight: Fire Restoration of Multi-Family Condo Building on Worcester Street, South End, Boston

This fire restoration project on Worcester Street involved a multi-family condo building located in the historic South End neighborhood of Boston. After a fire broke out on the top floor—caused by an improperly disposed cigarette butt that ignited dried leaves in the gutter—the building owners faced the daunting task of restoring their property. Recognizing the need for expert help, they reached out to Abacus Builders & General Contractors, one of Boston’s premier fire, flood, and restoration specialists since 2004.

The fire served as a stark reminder of how vulnerable homes can be to fire in dense, urban areas like Boston, where much of the housing stock is over 100 years old. Thankfully, the Boston Fire Department quickly contained the blaze, preventing a full gut of the building. Abacus Builders stepped in to handle the partial gut remodel, leveraging our extensive experience in fire restoration projects.

Key Restoration Elements:

• New kitchens were installed in all six units
• New flooring, trim moldings, and insulation throughout the building
• Complete replacement of sheetrock, followed by plastering and fresh paint
• Restoration of numerous cosmetic details to bring the property back to its original beauty

The project, which took approximately 6 months to complete at a cost of around $150 per square foot, successfully restored the property to its former state, combining modern updates with the building’s original charm. This was Abacus Builders’ third fire remodel in 12 months, further sharpening our skills in managing complex insurance claims. We coordinated with multiple policyholders, including master policies, HOA policies, and individual owners’ policies, ensuring the restoration process ran smoothly.

Our office manager/bookkeeper played a crucial role in balancing the intricate accounting needs of this project, helping us maintain financial accuracy throughout the process. In projects like these, where attention to detail is key, the expertise of our admin staff made all the difference.

At Abacus Builders, we pride ourselves on being a trusted name in fire restoration, serving Boston’s historic neighborhoods like the South End. If you’re in need of fire or flood restoration services, we’re here to help.

Please check out our Youtube page to see projects like this being completed.