1021-23 Massachusetts Street

Like many buildings in Lawrence’s Downtown Commercial Historic District, 1021-23 Massachusetts Street was originally built in the late 1800s. The two-story building has been occupied by many businesses over the years, including Aladdin Café, which is on the first floor of 1021. Recently, Mohammed Iskandrani, the owner of Aladdin, purchased the building, and the first item on his list of improvements was to rehabilitate the long-vacant second-floor office space.

The rehabilitation efforts, led by Landon Harness of Form and Function, featured the preservation of several historic elements. The full-sized casement windows on the front and sides of the building have been rebuilt and restored to full function. Interior doors, windows and trim were preserved in their entirety, as was a unique wood panel ceiling. Harness was able to reestablish multiple skylight openings throughout the second floor and replace plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems.

When LPA visited the site recently, we noticed that about half of the spaces are already leased and alive with activity. LPA congratulates Mohammed Iskandrani and Landon Harness for their efforts to preserve a noteworthy commercial property in the downtown historic district.