Synthetic Slate Tops Historic Building Renovation

By DaVinci Roofscapes.  

Roof replaced on 196-year-old building with authentic looking DaVinci slate to return structure to its former glory.  

Adelaide of Newton Centre blends the old and new. The memory care community started with the renovation of a 196-year-old historic building. Then, new synthetic slate mansard roofing replaced the structure’s old slate roofing. 

Located on the former campus of Andover Newton Theological Seminary in Newton, Massachusetts, the Benchmark development is an adaptive reuse project. The 20,000-square foot building once served as the oldest graduate school in the nation. It now houses Adelaide’s main operations. Right next door is another 35,000-square foot building. The new circular pattern structure serves as the main residence for up to 61 residents with Alzheimer’s or dementia. 

Selecting synthetic slate 

As the project got underway, Erland Construction hired John Henry Roofing. They handled the mansard roofing application on the historic building. DaVinci Single-Width Slate in a Slate Gray color was selected for the project. 

“The DaVinci product was used on the old building to replace existing slate,” says David Griffin with Erland Construction, Inc. “The John Henry Roofing team did an amazing job with the installation. It looks very authentic.” 

Making a mansard roof 

For this project, the John Henry team began by installing GRACE ICE AND WATER SHIELD® on the mansard areas. Next the DaVinci slate product was installed. Then zinc-coated copper drip edges, valleys and flashings. The overall project took the roofing team two months to complete. 

“I initially recommended the DaVinci product to the general contractor and owner,” says James Madden with John Henry Roofing Inc. “We have previously installed the product on other projects. It looks great. Very realistic. That was a key factor in the product’s selection for Adelaide. 

“The synthetic slate looks so beautiful atop the old brick building that I imagine this is exactly what the structure looked like in the 1800’s.” 

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Original article source: DaVinci Roofscapes 

Photo: Greg Premru Photography