October 20, 2020 Roslindale Substation Awarded for Preservation Achievement
Once a part of the bustling MBTA and the Boston Elevated Railway, the Roslindale Substation was one of seven trolley transportation hubs throughout the city. The building was designed in the Revival Style by Robert S. Peabody with Stone & Webster Engineers. The building retains a number of unique architectural details including 34-foot ceilings, 18-foot tall front doors, and an interior crane hook that hints at the industrial history of the historic switching station. The building served the city from 1911 until 1971, but the building sat vacant for almost fifty years after that. In 2012, the city designated the building in hopes of giving it a new life. This year, the Roslindale Substation and adjacent development, Parkside on Adams were honored with two awards: 1) the Boston Preservation Alliance’s Preservation Achievement Award, 2) the Preservation Massachusetts Mayor Thomas M. Menino Legacy Award.
The video below was produced for the BPA 32nd Annual Preservation Achievement Awards and highlights its historic charm and unique features. HBI congratulates the Boston Preservation Alliance for a wonderful virtual event that celebrated some truly special historic treasures!