George Close Company Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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George Close Company Building
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 243 Broadway, Cambridge, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1910 |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 100003472 |
| Added to NRHP | March 15, 2019 |
The George Close Company Building is an old factory building located at 243 Broadway in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It was built in 1910 for a company that made candy. This building is a great example of the Classical Revival style used for factories. In 1976, it was changed into homes. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2019.
About the Building
The former George Close Company building is in the Wellington-Harrington area of Cambridge. This is near Kendall Square. The building stands on a corner where Broadway and Windsor Street meet. It is a brick building with six floors.
Its sides facing the street have special details. These details are in the Classical Revival style. They are made from brick and cast stone. The corner of the building is angled, which gives it a unique look. Even though it was changed into homes, the inside still has many of its original features.
A Sweet History
The George Close Company started in 1872. It became one of the biggest candy makers in Cambridge. Candy making was a very important industry there in the late 1800s.
The building at 243 Broadway was finished in 1910. It was the largest of the company's three factories. The company was famous for its penny candy. They also included baseball cards with their candy!
The company faced problems and closed down in 1939. In 1941, another company bought the building. This new company made medical equipment. The building was used for factories until 1971.
From Factory to Homes
In 1976, something special happened. The George Close Company Building was one of the first large factories in the area to be changed into homes. This project was done carefully to keep the building's historic look and feel. It showed how old industrial buildings could be given new life.
