March 10, 2019 by Carol Britton Meyer
Once just a vision, the new Lincoln Building is now nearing completion.
“We’re looking toward a grand opening possibly at the end of April hosted at Tosca,” said Charlene Flynn of TLC Real Estate, who owns the building with Reuven Levy. “This has been a long time coming, but at this point we’re just happy and excited. The end product has exceeded our expectations.”
Following several delays, work on the near-replica of the former 1859 Italianate-style building is wrapping up. A sure sign of this is removal of the fencing this week.
The new Lincoln Building is evoking favorable comments from the community. “There has been an outpouring of support and accolades,” Flynn said.
The leases haven’t been signed for the first-floor retail space, but Flynn confirmed that TLC and two high-end boutiques will be part of the mix. There are five retail spaces in all. “We’ve been talking with a lot of different [possible tenants], from high-end clothing boutiques to a gelato shop,” Flynn said.
There are four one-bedroom units on the second floor and two, two-bedroom penthouse units on the top floor, all featuring high ceilings and high-end finishings. Three units are already rented, and Flynn expects full occupancy by this summer. The prices start at $2,800 a month and go as high as $5,400 for the penthouse units.
TLC Real Estate is named after Flynn’s three older daughters, Taylor, Lindsay, and Casey. The residential units are called “The Residences at the Brooke” in part because the Town Brook runs under the building. There’s also another reason. “The name of the company came about before my youngest daughter Brooke was born and she felt a little slighted not being included, hence the spelling of ‘Brooke’ to include her as well!” Flynn said.
The new building will make the downtown area “more vibrant, attracting more people to Hingham Square and making it even more of a destination place,” Flynn said.
The new Lincoln Building complements the Hingham Historical Society Heritage Museum, the 17th-Century Old Ship Meeting House, and the historic homes in the area.
“This will be an amazing place to live,” Flynn said. “It’s not just an apartment but a lifestyle — close to local restaurants and shops. You don’t even need a car to get around.”
Flynn praised Matt Falconeiri, who lives in Hingham, for the hard work he and his crew put in. “We couldn’t have asked for a better construction team,” Flynn said. The building was designed by local architect Steve Meyers.
She also expressed appreciation for the zoning board of appeals, planning board, and other town officials — including Community Planning Director Mary Savage-Dunham and Historical Commission & Historic Districts Commission Administrator Andrea Young who Flynn said “guided us through the process to come up with the best possible project.”
“This has been a real community effort, and we will all benefit from this beautiful building,” Flynn said. “It’s a prime location that’s rich in history.”
Selectmen Chairman Paul Healey had this to say about the new building: “The newly constructed Lincoln Building demonstrates the commitment to maintaining the historic flavor of the Square along with continuing the economic vitality of this important public gathering place. The owners’ willingness to work with the town during the permitting process along with the town’s recognition of property rights and aesthetics have combined to make a successful building project that will serve the Square well for decades to come.”
The original building, which was slated for eventual demolition, was taken down after the roof collapsed following several heavy snowstorms in early 2015. Following a lengthy review process, the plans got the final okay from the zoning board of appeals in 2016.