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907 Washington: commission finds some south‑facing windows beyond repair, approves fiberglass/wood replacements with brick‑mold requirement
Summary
After reviewing photos and interior/exterior conditions, commissioners concluded several windows on the south facade of 907 Washington were deteriorated beyond repair and approved replacement windows (fiberglass exterior/wood interior), requiring brick mold be reinstalled where openings were missing trim.
The Newport Historic Preservation Commission on Oct. 15 approved replacement windows for several openings on the south facade of 907 Washington Street, finding multiple openings deteriorated beyond repair and authorizing Marvin Elevate windows (fiberglass exterior, wood interior) for replacement with conditions.
Staff described 907 Washington as an 1875 brick Italianate with several historic 6-over-6 wood sash visible on the south elevation; one existing sash retains wavy glass. The south elevation includes ten openings, four of which still retain original sash; others were missing, bricked-in previously, or in advanced stages of deterioration.
Owner John Fry told the commission he is renovating the structure to live in and seeks a consistent set of replacement windows for energy efficiency and aesthetic consistency. He proposed Marvin Elevate fiberglass- exterior/wood-interior windows in a 6-over-6 configuration for most openings; he said one large arched front window may need to remain fixed because available operable sash types do not fit the arched opening without substantial alteration.
Commissioners discussed repair versus replacement of surviving wooden sash. Because several windows were substantially deteriorated or missing, the commission found replacement was appropriate for those openings and then considered substitute-material approval. The commission approved the use of fiberglass/wood (Marvin Elevate) windows for the replacement openings and added a condition that where windows are completely missing, brick mold (trim) must be reinstalled to match historic profiles.
The commission also said it would handle any front-elevation or unusually shaped windows (arched openings) separately if a proposed replacement would significantly alter the front appearance; staff will bring those back to the commission if the proposed solution would affect the primary facade’s character.
Motions to (1) find the existing south-elevation wood windows sufficiently deteriorated to warrant replacement and (2) approve fiberglass/wood replacement windows with the brick-mold condition both passed unanimously.
The decision allows the owner to proceed with a consistent replacement set while preserving trim details where openings are missing and ensuring distinctive historic front-elevation features are reviewed further if needed.
