Another 'most endangered' building targeted for demolition

• Posted by History News August 27, 2019 - Filed in News - #01609  #Homes  #SalisburyStreet  #BrambleHill  - 32,735 views

  

  

  Bramble Hill, the former Salisbury Street home of Milton and Alice Higgins (Preservation Worcester, Pinterest)

  Plans for another of Worcester’s 'most endangered structures' to be demolished

  If a developer can follow through on its plans, a third building that appeared on Preservation Worcester’s list of most endangered structures will be demolished in less than two years.

  Bramble Hill, the former estate of Milton and Alice Higgins at 757 Salisbury St., is the latest to face demolition. According to an article in the Telegram & Gazette, developers want to “build three garden-style buildings as part of a 123-unit continuing care retirement community on the remaining 17.36 acres of the former Higgins estate.”

  That is part of an overall plan for nearly 240 age-restricted housing units.

  The other two "most endangered structures" are churches, Notre Dame des Canadiens and Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The destruction of Notre Dame des Canadiens began in September 2018 and Our Lady of Mount Carmel is currently being demolished. 

  According to an article on MassLive, Notre Dame was on the list of most-endangered structures in 2009 and then again in 2016 and 2017. Mount Carmel and Bramble Hill are on the current list.

  A 2014 sales video for Bramble Hill

  According to Preservation Worcester: “Built in 1901, Bramble Hill is a magnificent Georgian Revival style house built.  This grand mansion has monumental columns at the front door to greet you and give you a hint of its gracious interior. Originally sited on 135 acres, it is unique for its secluded setting within Worcester’s city limits.  Much of the land has been developed into Salisbury Hill, with 17 acres remaining undeveloped around the house to preserve its private setting.”

  This is the fifth time that Bramble Hill has been on Preservation Worcester’s most-endangered list. The other years were 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2015.

  Blogger Andrew Howard wrote: “Appropriately nicknamed ‘The Grand Dame of Worcester,’ the beautiful seven bedroom home also has a caretaker’s home abutting it, a barn with an attached garage, and a little odd building in the back that children used to play in. … I can attest to the home’s sad state; nature is surely beginning to take over. The beautiful stone steps that led to the front of the house now rest split and disheveled. The caretaker’s home, guarded only by a screen door is ripe with mold and water damage. Strangely, a like new basketball hoop sits at the top of the driveway as if it was played with yesterday. It’s truly remarkable to witness the transformation this home has undergone in just the past few years.’

  “What the home really needs is a loving owner with deep pockets to resurrect this magnificent home to a ‘Grand Dame’ once again,” he added.

  It does not appear it will get that chance.

  

  Bramble Hill (Bramble-ing and Entering)

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