ERTA-Designed Renovation Earns Chatham Preservation Award

ERT Architects’ renovation of the Cyrus Kent House, a stately sea captain’s in the heart of Chatham, has been recognized with a Chatham Preservation Award. Presented biannually by the Chatham Historical Society, this award is presented to projects for “…a broad range of preservation activities, including stabilization, rehabilitation, restoration, and adaptive reuse of historic structures. Also recognized are sensitive additions and modernization; preservation of historic streetscapes; landscape preservation; and archaeology,” according to the town’s website.

Our submission details the history of the Cyrus Kent House and the work completed:

Located just off Main Street in Chatham, this home had a significant historic pedigree. Built in 1877 as the home of a sea captain, the house has long been known as the Cyrus Kent House. Research reveals that the name appears to have been created merely as the brand name of the inn that operated at the site for much of the 20^th century.

According to the article “Adventures of Sea Captains” by Spencer Grey on the Chatham Historical Society’s website, it was likely Captain James H. Kent (1841 – 1898) who built the stately house. It is James Kent who receives star billing in the article – he being the first captain detailed – with his exploits as a skilled and daring captain who escaped death several times while sailing from Australia to Boston.

While the homeowners envisioned a total renovation, transforming it into a multi-generational family vacation home, everyone involved with the project, including our clients, understood that the home’s history was worthy of being protected. With this in mind, our design for the renovation preserved the integrity of the original structure, with exterior alterations limited to several small additions and a new outdoor living area.

We worked closely with Chatham’s zoning board and historic district commission to devise a plan that would meet the needs of our clients and the various town entities, with renovation plans that adhered almost completely to the original home’s exterior structure while transforming the interior. Compromise and creativity were key in bringing our clients’ vision to fruition.

Plans for the renovation of the existing carriage house were approached with the same level of detail and consideration. Unsympathetic alterations previously made to its exterior, such as the installation of a Palladian window and sliding doors, were corrected with historically correct double-hung windows replacing them.

In order to meet today’s building code, the old timber framing of the house needed to be upgraded, presenting significant challenges with both the design and construction. Exterior materials, such as decorative millwork, that were beyond repair were painstakingly replicated for the entirety of the property.

The fully renovated home retains much of its original appearance with the new additions barely discernable from the historic portions. It also remains very much in keeping with the surrounding neighborhood.

Inside was, not surprisingly, a rabbit warren of chopped-up little rooms. The first floor is now an open-concept space with the living area, dining area and kitchen all sharing a room that runs almost the entire length and width of the first floor.

Opening off one end of the space is a screened-in porch. At the other end is an outdoor dining area. Both overlook the terrace, which includes a pool and spa, a fire pit, and multiple seating areas.

Custom millwork throughout the interiors – a coffered ceiling, the baseboards, newel posts and balusters, etc. – adds a decidedly historic touch to the spaces.

The second story of the main house is a combination of kids’ space and bedroom suites. In the family room, our design left the ducting for the newly installed central air exposed. With it painted red, the ceiling white, and the walls a punched-up blue shade, the comfortable space has a patriotic vibe.

In the uppermost level, what was an attic is now a quintessential Cape Cod bunkroom, with custom-crafted “berths” that are appropriately reminiscent of an old ship acting as twin beds.

Our clients wanted a place where multiple generations could gather throughout the year with interiors that were conducive to how families live today. With exterior work that preserved the home melded seamlessly with updated interior living spaces, we were able to achieve this goal.

In 2025, our renovation of the Cyrus Kent House was honored by the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Cape Cod with a Gold BRICC Award for excellence in historic restoration. In 2022, shortly after work was completed, it was featured in Chatham Living by the Sea magazine.