Former Monomoy Theatre Plans OK’d

CHATHAM – Designs for renovations and additions to the buildings at the former Monomoy Theatre property were approved by the historic business district commission last week.

 According to the plans, which were reviewed at several HBDC sessions, additions will be built onto both the historic Washington Taylor House and the former playhouse building, the latter of which will almost double in size. The former theater will host commercial space and a restaurant, while the Washington Taylor building will house retail and office space.

 Owner Greg Clark of Chatham Productions said at the May 6 hearing that he intends to ask the zoning board of appeals for a special permit to allow apartments on the second floor of the Washington Taylor House.

 The 2.7-acre property at 776 Main St. has been vacant since the Monomoy Theatre shut down in 2018. Chatham Productions purchased the complex in September 2019 for $3.6 million. The owners went through a series of proposals for reuse of the theater building and the Taylor house, including their conversion to a performing arts center, along with building various types of housing on the Depot Road side of the lot. The zoning board of appeals denied several requests for permits for single-family homes, the sale of which Clark said would finance renovations to the theater. 

Most recently the owners proposed demolishing the playhouse, claiming it was too rundown to renovate and was an attractive nuisance and the target of numerous break-ins. The HBDC denied the request, as did the select board on appeal.

Since then, fencing was erected to better secure the buildings, although Clark said break-ins have still been attempted. He said he wants to start work on construction as soon as possible, partly to tighten security at the site. When Chatham Ford used the property this winter to temporarily store vehicles, there were no break-ins, he said.

 “By having activity on the site, I think it’s going to discourage that,” he said.

According to the plans approved by the HBDC, renovations to the Washington Taylor House will not change its appearance from Main Street. Details of the trim and other exterior elements will match those existing today, Clark said. No part of the building will be demolished. 

A small addition to the circa 1860 house — historically significant because it is a “double” Greek revival — will be added to the rear to provide safe access to the second floor, Clark said. Although the current plans label the second floor as office space, Clark said he’d like to create “two good-size apartments” there. It’s the only place on the property where apartments can be accommodated, he added. The plans show three retail spaces on the ground floor.

A large addition will be built to the east of the playhouse building, according to the plans, where a restaurant will be located. Two spaces in the former theater building are labeled for commercial use.

Access to the property will be off Depot Road, according to a preliminary site plan. An approximately 130-space parking lot will be located to the rear and west side of the property.

The compatibility of the house, former theater and the addition are “the most important thing we’ve been able to accomplish in preserving the buildings,” said HBDC member Sam Streibert. Chair Darci Sequin praised Clark for taking suggestions made by commission members and “making this something that Chatham will be proud of.”

Designs for both buildings were unanimously approved by the commission.