Automotive Landmark in Springfield Mass Restored - 1893 Duryea

[edinmass]

Dr. David Peck, general contractor Craig Sweitzer renovate former Duryea building in downtown Springfield

Brian and Michael Sweitzer work for their father, general contractor Craig Sweitzer, at the new location of Dr. David I. Peck, D.M.D.'s Taylor Street Dental Associates practice in the Stacy Building at 41-43 Taylor St., Springfield. The Stacy Building is where Charles and Frank Duryea made by hand the first American gasoline-powered car. (The Republican / Mark M. Murray)

SPRINGFIELD - The Stacy Building at 41-43 Taylor St. downtown was the birthplace of the Duryea and of the American auto industry.

Now, the building itself is being reborn, with the help of contractors Craig Sweitzer & Co., into new offices for dentist Dr. David I. Peck.

Peck has had offices downtown since 1985, but he needed more space than his current location at 174 Worthington St., provides.

"We wanted to continue to serve the downtown," Peck said. "The new location is actually more convenient to the parking we provide than Worthington. We also want to be here for the people who live and work downtown, and for people who want to come here and enjoy everything Springfield can provide."

View full size Craig Sweitzer, general contractor, working at the new location of Dr. David I. Peck D.M.D., Taylor Street Dental Associates practice at 41-43 Taylor St. It is located in the Stacy Building, where Charles and Frank Duryea made by hand the first ever American built gasoline powered car. Mark M. Murray

He didn't say how much buying and renovating the Stacy building cost him, only acknowledging a "significant investment." At 3,700 square feet, the fourth-floor office dental offices will have nine treatment rooms. That is up from the five rooms Peck has now.

He also promised a modern, urban feel with exposed brick.

"It's all about making our patients feel welcome and making our patients feel comfortable," he said.

He plans to have the new offices open in June or July.

NAI Plotkin real estate brokers and property managers sold the building to Peck, President Evan Plotkin said. Plotkin said he'll keep his offices on the first floor, renting from Peck.

Contractor Craig Sweitzer and his family have made a specialty out of dental offices, having built more than 70 such facilities in the Pioneer Valley over the past two decades.

Dental offices are tricky, Sweitzer said, because they have to be plumbed and wired to accept equipment, and have lines for suction and medical gasses. Walls have to be built to take the weight of equipment.

The third floor is being turned into regular office space available to tenants.

The Stacy Building is where brothers Charles and Frank Duryea built the first American gasoline-powered car in 1893. By 1896, the brothers were making 13 cars a year at the location.

Edited January 28, 2014 by edinmass (see edit history)

[tom_in_nh]

Wish I knew about this a few weeks back, as I was at the Big E swap meet on the 18th.

I was awestruck at the magnificent oversized buildings - especially the one currently occupied by an insurance company - forgot the name.

Did not realize that the Duryea factory was nearby.

Thanks for sharing, Ed.

Tom