In Portsmouth, N.H.’s historic district, a once-vacant 1950s Getty gas station has now transformed into a bustling neighborhood favorite – The Getty Bagel Shop. What began as a mid-century service station left idle for 15 years is now a community landmark brought back to life through thoughtful design and restoration.

Before the aroma of fresh bagels and coffee could fill the air, a less visible transformation had to take place on the roof. Turning an aging service station into The Getty Bagel Shop required overcoming environmental, structural, and aesthetic challenges. For contractor KTM Exteriors & Recycling, LLC and North America’s largest roofing manufacturer, GAF, the project offered a textbook example of how the right roofing system can make adaptive reuse both durable and design conscious.  

Reviving a Forgotten Shell

When new owners bought the property, they faced a daunting mix of environmental cleanup, zoning restrictions, and structural issues.  

“Demolishing it just wasn’t an option,” said Jeff Dyer of Little Harbor Builders, the project’s general contractor. “Because the site sits in a historic district, tearing down the old structure would have triggered expensive zoning requirements, including 66 parking spaces and underground parking. We had to make the original shell work.”  

The team leaned into preservation, keeping the building’s classic mid-century look while redesigning the interior and roof to meet modern food-service standards.  

The new life of the building introduced new technical demands. Kitchen exhaust and cooking fats can quickly degrade traditional rubber roofs common in New England.  

“Roofers in New England really love rubber roofs,” Dyer said, “But time and again, you see rubber roofs that crack when exposed to the animal fats associated with cooking.”  

To ensure long-term protection, the team turned to GAF for a membrane suited to food-service environments. GAF recommended its EverGuard® PVC roofing system, known for chemical resistance and reliable performance in food-service environments.   

Building a Modern System on a Historic Structure

KTM Exteriors, a female-owned, GAF GoldElite™ and CoatingsPro+™ certified contractor, led the installation of approximately 37 squares of EverGuard® PVC 60-mil single-ply membrane. The system included EnergyGuard™ HD Polyiso cover boards, tapered polyiso insulation, and a GAF SA Vapor Retarder XL for added protection, creating a complete, high-performance solution from deck to surface.  

“The GAF system components are high-quality and easy to work with,” said Jay Gurley of KTM Exteriors. “Their consistency and reliability make them a great fit for retrofit projects like this.”  

Despite the complexities of working around the existing canopy, now repurposed as an outdoor seating area, the roof installation went smoothly. Careful detailing ensured watertight transitions between the canopy and main roof, enhancing the building’s energy efficiency and long-term resilience, without altering the building’s architectural character.

Contractors from KTM Exteriors install GAF’s EverGuard PVC roofing system.
Photo: KTM Exteriors & Recycling

A Roof That Tells a Story

The project finished in April 2025, and the results speak for themselves. The Getty Bagel Shop has quickly become a local favorite, blending nostalgia and innovation under a roof designed to last.

“This wasn’t just about putting on a new roof,” Gurley added. “It was about preserving a piece of history while ensuring modern protection, a perfect mix of old and new.”

For contractors, designers, and manufacturers, it’s a clear example of how thoughtful roofing choices can enable sustainable reuse and long-term building performance, and how roofing innovation can help bring new life to historic structures.