The Background

The owners of this unoccupied antique barn in the historic district of Newton, MA, hoped to convert it into a separate residence. They hired North River Builders to turn it into a three-bedroom, two-bath home.

The Renovation

Before reframing to accommodate the new floor plan, our team used steel cables, giant turnbuckles, and other specialized rigging equipment to straighten the two-story walls, which had settled over the years and were leaning six inches out of plumb. We completed a full renovation once the building was straight, including a full kitchen with custom built-ins, two baths, and a fully-finished basement. Performance building techniques ensured an air-tight, energy-efficient, and comfortable home, while thoughtful details helped balance modern amenities and historic charm.