search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube instagram Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • TOPICS
    • Cool Roofing
    • Event News
    • Latinos in Roofing
    • Low Slope
    • Legal
    • Metal
    • Project Profiles
    • Roofing Supply Pro
    • Roofing Safety
    • Steep Slope
    • Sustainable Roofing
    • Technology
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Best of Success
    • Contractor Profile
    • IRE Show
    • Roofing Contractor of the Year
      • Enter Roofing Contractor of the Year
    • Top 100
      • Enter the Top 100
    • Young Guns
    • State of the Industry
    • Century Club
  • MULTIMEDIA
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Interactive Spotlights
    • Roofing Quizzes
    • IRE Videos
    • Webinars
    • Photo Galleries
  • PRODUCTS
    • New Products
    • Featured Products
  • COLUMNS
    • Editor's Note
    • Exit Planning
    • Legally Speaking
    • Safety Advice
    • Technical Details
    • Guest Column
  • EVENTS
    • International Roofing Expo
    • Webinars
    • Best of Success Conference
    • Industry Events
  • DIRECTORY
    • Associations
    • Distributors
    • Manufacturer/Supplier
    • Business Services
    • Get Listed
  • MORE
    • Roofing Contractor eNews
    • RC Store
    • Roofing Supply Pro
    • Custom Content & Marketing Services
    • Market Research
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Company Spotlights
    • Classifieds
      • Auctions
      • Business For Sale
      • Business Opportunities
      • Equipment For Sale
      • Positions Available
      • Products
      • Safety
      • Software
      • Services
      • Training
    • Contact Us
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Advertise
      • Media Kit
      • Editorial Calendar
      • Contact
    • Archive Issues
  • SIGN UP!
Roofing Project Profiles

Metal Panels Help Convert Historic Building into Urban Commercial Space

AB&W Building Metal Roof and Walls
AB&W Building Metal Roof and Walls
AB&W Building Metal Roof and Walls
AB&W Building Metal Roof and Walls
AB&W Building Metal Roof and Walls
AB&W Building Metal Roof and Walls
March 27, 2014

Metal Sales™ roof and wall panels balance the old and new at the AB&W Building at 157 Washington St. in Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood. The former auto showroom and candy factory site was redeveloped as a mixed-use building with retail and housing units.

The transformed AB&W Building is located one block from the new Four Corners commuter rail station. It consists of 3,300 square feet of commercial space for three retail tenants and 24 affordable rental cooperative housing units. The historic 1920s brick façade was preserved for the retail storefront while the remainder of the original building was demolished. 

Metal Sales supplied more than 6,000 square feet of 2.5-inch corrugated, 26-gauge metal roof and wall panels in a MS Colorfast45® finish with a vibrant Patriot Red color. The panels adorn both the front and rear façade of the building.

The Metal Sales panels provide the original front façade with a distinct band of color while maintaining its historic appearance. On the rear residential façade, the panels’ clean lines provide a sleek contemporary look. The bright pops of the Patriot Red color brings an interesting contrast in comparison to the soft earth tones on the rest of the structure.

“This was a key transit-oriented development project that preserved the existing façade for street-level retail space,” says P. Nicholas Elton, project architect for Elton+Hampton Architects. “The corrugated Metal Sales panels harmonize with the building’s historic façade while providing architectural edginess.”

Approximately 5,500 square feet of the material was used for the exterior walls. The panels were installed horizontally to create an eye-catching and welcoming building envelope that complements its urban setting. The remainder of the material was used for the roof.

The harmony with the building façade goes beyond aesthetics. All Metal Sales panel colors are listed with ENERGY STAR®, reducing solar heat gain and consequently lowering energy expenses.

“Serving as a model for sustainable development, we strived to use green materials. This was also a requirement from the city of Boston’s Department of Neighborhood Development, which provided funding for the project,” explained Elton. 

Metal was an ideal choice for the AB&W Building because of its durability and sustainability. Panels require very little maintenance for co-op owners and have a long life span that will tolerate New England weather. Metal Sales offers a 45-year paint warranty that will ensure the panels maintain their vibrancy even after decades of wear. Metal panels are also 100 percent recyclable and contain a high percentage of recycled material.

The AB&W Building project team included architect P. Nicholas Elton of Elton + Hampton Architects, Roxbury, Mass.; owner/developer Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation, Dorchester, Mass.; and general contractor Crosswinds Enterprises, Roxbury, Mass.

 For more information, visit www.metalsales.us.com.  

KEYWORDS: metal metal roofing restoration

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Roofing Contractor Group Publisher Jill Bloom

    Physics, the Power of Authenticity and You

    In February's Publisher's Note, Jill Bloom describes a...
    Editor's Note
    By: Jill Bloom
  • The Family Food Fare supermarket in Midland, Mich.

    ‘Rooftop Ninja’ Discovered Living on Roof, Inside Grocery Sign

    A bizarre tale out of Midland, Mich.: a woman dubbed the...
    Roofing News
    By: Bryan Gottlieb
  • A before and after heat measurement comparison

    How Hot is Too Hot in the Attic?

    If the ventilation is working, how hot should the attic...
    Steep Slope Roofing
    By: Paul Scelsi
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Subscribe For Free!
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Sign Up for the eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Roofing Contractor audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Roofing Contractor or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Snow Guard Solutions for Metal Roofs by S-5!
    Sponsored byS-5!

    Safeguard Your Building: How Snow Guards Prevent Costly Roof & Property Damage

  • A hand holding a wooden block that reads 'EVOLVE'
    Sponsored byWatercress Financial

    Embracing Change: A New Era for the Roofing Industry

Popular Stories

QXO closed its acquisition of Beacon Building Supply on April 29, 2025.

QXO Closes Beacon Acquisition, Rebrands Immediately; Jacobs to Ring NYSE Bell

Dear Anna Podcast Lead Generation Optimization featuring Anna Anderson

Dear Anna: How Can I Optimize Lead Generation?

hourglass-with-blue-sand-black-background

QXO Extends Offer to Acquire Beacon Once More Before Closing Deal

Roofing Contractor Webinar

Events

May 22, 2025

Remote Teams 101: The New Way to Hire

Our industry experts will guide you through what remote hiring and outsourcing should look like, how it can help you grow, and why it’s easier (and less scary) than you might think. If you want to save time, find great talent, and grow your business, this is one session you don’t want to miss!

December 3, 2025

The Premier Roofing Conference: Best of Success

Join roofing professionals from across the nation at the 2025 Best of Success conference, the ultimate destination for roofing professionals seeking the latest industry insights and networking opportunities. Pick up strategies for critical challenges like workforce shortage with innovative solutions, explore the latest advancements in roofing technology and sustainable practices, and gain valuable insights from industry leaders on navigating the evolving roofing landscape.

View All Submit An Event

Related Articles

  • holcim-polyiso.jpg

    How Polyiso Can Help Keep Your Commercial Space Warmer and Energy Bill Lower

    See More
  • metl-span-vail-elementary_1

    Project Profile: Metl-Span Insulated Metal Panels Help Speed Up School Completion

    See More
  • Building Pros Help a Hero, Turn a House into a Home

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • urban resilience.jpg

    Green Roof Retrofit: Building Urban Resilience

  • Green_roof_Systems.gif

    Green Roof Systems: A Guide to the Planning, Design and Construction of Building Over Structure

  • illustrated.jpg

    Building Construction Illustrated, 6th Edition

See More Products

Related Directories

  • Metal Panels Inc.

    Metal Panels Inc. is a quality manufacturer of metal roofing and siding products, meeting the need of the Metal Roofing, Metal Building, Self-Storage and Post-Frame industry since 2001. MPI offers a wide selection of exposed-fastener and standing seam panels, custom trim, and a full line of accessories. Locally owned and operated, MPI serves a 7-state area in the Mid-West and maintains manufacturing and distribution centers in Tulsa and Kansas City.
×

Be in the forefront of the roofing industry!

Join thousands of professionals today. Shouldn’t you know what they know?

JOIN NOW!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing