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Expertise

Architecture

Interior Design

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Project Type

Mixed-Use

Corporate

Renovation

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Location

Portsmouth, NH

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Client

McNabb Properties, Ltd.

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Awards

AIA NH 2022 Rick & Duffy Monahon Award for Design Excellence in Architectural Restoration and Preservation

The Details

Fronting Market Square, 3 Pleasant Street is an award-winning, adaptive re-use building comprising the first phase of Brick Market, a project creating a dynamic sense of place in downtown Portsmouth.

Dating back to 1794, the red brick building has been a public market, a town hall, Portsmouth’s city hall and a bank. It features three floors and a fourth-floor ellipse. The high-ceilinged street-level space houses a restaurant; architecturally preserved features include large arch-top windows throughout the first level and a bank vault transformed into a wine cellar. Upper floors are now modern office spaces, some with exposed beams and high ceilings. The copper-topped ellipse accesses roof-top decks featuring panoramic views of North Church and Market Square. Photovoltaic solar panels on the roof offset the building’s energy use and blend in with surrounding architecture, leaving views unimpeded.

Original copper-clad window sills and frames were retained and restored. Second and third floor windows feature brick returns and soldier headers with limestone keystones. The structure’s front and back entrances are buttressed by gas lanterns and catenary lighting.

  • Exterior daytime view from a balcony area with a small table and chairs.
  • Interior close up photo of an office space showing a bay of windows with natural light filling the room. A plant in a pot sits on the surface of a desk.
  • An interior photo of a busy restaurant space. The bistro-like atmosphere features dark wood fixtures with a bar in the center.
Exterior photo showing the facade of 3 Pleasant Street in Portsmouth, NH. The three-story building features a red brick facade with a white trim entryway that has "New Hampshire National Bank" in historical type above the doorway.

Exterior view of 3 Pleasant Street

Exterior close up daytime view of the facade edge of a building in a courtyard plaza space. The area is set with dining tables and chairs and outdoor heating lamps.

Outdoor restaurant space

Exterior daytime photo showing the facade edge of a historical brick building with planters beautifying the edge.

Exterior planters

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Pleasant Street is a crafted example of restoration and re-invention existing successfully side by side. This will be a well-loved building and does what the architects set out to do: create a dynamic sense of place in downtown Portsmouth.

AIA AWARD JURY