Client: Historic Erie Restorations
Location: 305 West 6th St., Erie, Pennsylvania
Dates: Original building — 1911; Renovation complete — 2021
National Register of Historic Places: Significant building in West Sixth Street Historic District.
Size: 8,000 SF
Originally constructed as a single-family residence, the building has been used as offices since 1946. This restoration project was completed to renovate and update the building for a new office tenant.
The project involved masonry restoration and cleaning, roof repair, window restoration and replacement, painting and landscaping. Interior work included selective floor plan changes, painting, woodwork restoration and repair, updated flooring, improved accessibility, and all new electrical, HVAC, plumbing and finishes.
Prominent Erie manufacturer, Alexander H. Jarecki (1866–1941), and his wife, Lucie Swift McBrier (1870–1946), commissioned Cleveland architect Frank B. Meade (1867–1947), of Meade & Hamilton, to design this Craftsman-style house and garage. The house was built in 1911 to replace a smaller dwelling that had been built on the site in 1892 for Mr. and Mrs. Jarecki.
Alexander Jarecki attended Erie Academy and graduated from M.I.T. with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1888. He was affiliated with the Jarecki Manufacturing Co. for 53 years and served as president of the company from 1901 until 1941. Founded in 1872 by Alexander’s uncle, Henry Jarecki, the company was located at 149 East Ninth St., with a foundry at 12th and Cascade streets. The business was internationally known for brass pipe fittings, malleable and gray iron, and oil well supplies, as well as for having the largest brass works in the world at the turn of the 20th century. Alexander was also active in local and national industry organizations. Locally, he was a founding board member and vice president of Continental Rubber Works in 1903, president of the Kahkwa Club, and board member for several other manufacturing companies and Second National Bank. Lucie was the daughter of industrialist James N. McBrier and Mary White McBrier, who lived next door at 306 West 6th St.
In 1946, the Jarecki family sold the house at 305 West Sixth St. to the Ladies Catholic Benevolent Association (now Loyal Christian Benevolent Association – LCBA). The LCBA used the building as their home office for 37 years. The law offices of Shapira, Hutzelman, Ely, Smith & Walsh occupied the building for the following 37 years. The property was acquired by Historic Erie Restorations in 2020.
Preservation Pennsylvania recognized Historic Erie Restorations, LLC with the 2022 Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Award for revitalization of the 300-400 blocks of the West Sixth Street Historic District, including this property.
