First phase of restoration complete, Mahaiwe will begin hosting various activities

By Jack Guillet12:00AM / Friday, June 06, 2003Print Story | Email Story

The century-old Mahaiwe Theatre in Great Barrington is on the verge of having the first phase of its restoration work entirely finished. Now known as the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, the historic theatre, which opened in 1905, is being restored to its former grandeur, while being updated with modern amenities and being made safer. Although there is still much work to be done, the completion of phase I represents the completion of enough work to open the theatre to activities, like a film series, a lecture series, comedy nights, theater, dance, community projects, and children's and young people's programs, according to Lola Jaffe, the president and chair of the board of directors of The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center Inc., which is the nonprofit group that is overseeing and fund raising for the restoration project. To celebrate the completion of phase I, a "construction cocktail party" is slated for Saturday, May 31, from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the theatre, which is located at 14 Castle St. The agenda for phase I, which Jaffe said will be done by May 30 if not a couple of days sooner, was forced to be changed when an unforeseen accident occurred around Christmastime last year. A small portion of the theatre's ceiling fell because leaks in the roof damaged it, and the damage was neglected, she said. The installation of a new ceiling and roof replaced the installation of heating, ventilation and air conditioning, collectively known as HVAC, as the priority of phase I. The contractor is Pittsfield-based Allegrone Construction Co. The ceiling and middle roof - there are three altogether - were replaced, and work was done to get the theatre entirely up to code, Jaffe said. During the new ceiling installation, ducts were installed for the HVAC. At the request of the Fire Department, a new fire alarm system was installed, she said. In addition a sprinkler system and handicapped-accessible bathroom were installed, as well as high-output lighting. Although the 700-seat theatre is not yet equipped with air conditioning, it is much safer, Jaffe said. Furthermore phase I, which has cost $500,000, included the construction of a second staircase onto the stage, allowing a "quick egress" for actors and people below the stage if ever there was an emergency, Jaffe said. The first phase also included the full restoration of painting and scroll work under the paint within the theatre, she said. The concession stand in the theatre's lobby was removed, so now the Mahaiwe "looks like a theatre, not a movie house," she said. The second phase of the project comprises the installation of the HVAC and additional restoration work, she said. Since the theatre's nonprofit group is still in the process of raising money for that phase, Jaffe said it's still unclear as to when it'll begin; she said she and her group hope to secure the pledges they need in the next few months. Although it's unclear as to when phase II will start, further work to the theatre is quite possible this summer, Jaffe said. The theatre's other two roofs might be replaced this summer; minor work to the theatre's infrastructure is also a possibility, she said. Despite the current uncertainties, the HVAC work is slated to begin right after Labor Day, Jaffe said. Because prices and bids are still in the works, it is also unclear at this point how much the second phase will cost. "It's hard to say at this point," she said. The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center became a nonprofit group on Jan. 24, when Great Barrington-based Berkshire Opera Co. signed the theatre over to the group. To the company, the theatre had become too much of a financial and managerial burden, said Jaffe, who left a company chair position to be president and chair of the new nonprofit. It was "best for both entities to survive," she said. According to the web site of the group and the theatre, http://www.mahaiwe.org, which was put online last week, the theatre, one-and-one-half years ago, was designated as an official project of "Save America's Treasures," which is a "millennium" project of then First Lady, now U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, of New York, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. In being named such a project the theatre was allocated a $250,000 federal grant, which is going to be spent on the restoration work of phase II when the time comes, Jaffe said. One of the conditions of the grant is that each step of the restoration has to be approved by the Massachusetts Historical Commission before it can be executed, she said. The restoration work is approved by a state agency because, even though the grant is federal, it's administered by the state, she said. U.S. Rep. John Olver, D-Amherst, secured the grant, she said. A couple of summer events are scheduled for the Mahaiwe thus far. The Boston Early Music Festival is slated to perform a Baroque opera called Ariadne on three days: June 20 and June 21, both at 7 p.m., and June 22 at 2:30 p.m. On Thursday, June 26, the Berkshire Opera is slated to do a semistaged performance of Verdi's La Traviata. Boston Early Music, Jaffe said, is a group from Boston, and its festival comprises a large production with elaborate costumes and scenery. During the production, which is going to be performed in Europe following the Berkshire dates, Boston Early Music members use "old instruments," the tones of which are different than modern instruments, Jaffe said. She said Close Encounters With Music plans on doing events at the Mahaiwe in the fall and winter, and a film group plans on having a film festival at the theatre in the fall.

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Friday Front Porch Feature: A Charming House Like New

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:57PM / Friday, December 19, 2025

The home prior to renovations.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Are you looking for a newly renovated home with great space? Then this might be the perfect fit for you!

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 100 Autumn Drive.

This three-bedroom, two-bathroom split level was built in 1965 and is 1,396 square feet on 0.32 acres.

The house was completely renovated recently. It includes a one-car garage, and comes with appliances including a dishwasher and stove/oven, and other major appliances.

The house is listed for $359,500.

We spoke with owners Michael Zeppieri and Chris Andrews, who did the renovations. Zeppieri is an agent with Alton and Westall Real Estate Agency.

What was your first impression when you walked into the home?

Zeppieri: I purchased this home to do a full renovation flip and saw tremendous potential in this mid-century split level home that had not been updated since it was built in the 1960s, in a great North Adams neighborhood.

Andrews: The house was a much different house when we first purchased it in 2022 (photo attached is from about 2010.) The interior was painted all in dark colors and we brightened it up with neutral colors. The transformation makes you feel like you are in a totally different house.

What were the recent renovations, any standout design features?

Zeppieri: The house has had a complete reconfiguration including new kitchen with high-end appliances, ceramic tiled baths, hardwood floors, new windows and roof ... just to name a few. All a buyer has to do is move in and enjoy.

Andrews: Yes, we renovated the entire house. New windows, new roof, all new custom black gutter system, new blacktop driveway, hardwood floors were installed through out the house. New kitchen and bathrooms as well as painting the exterior and interior of the house. New paver patio in the back yard.

What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for?

Zeppieri: The buyer for this home could be a first-time homebuyer or a retiree ... the location is close to attractions in North Adams ... and the property is located in Autumn Heights, which is a very small residential development with several long-term owners.

Andrews: This home is truly ideal for a variety of buyers. Whether a first-time homebuyer, a small family or even someone looking to downsize from a larger home.

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?

Zeppieri: The location, price and move-in condition of this home make it a true market leader in the North Adams Market.

Andrews: This house is completely renovated and in a desirable location of North Adams. The natural light in the home really makes the interior pop. And with all the upgrades the home stays quite cool in the summer months.

Do you know any unique stories about the home or its history?

Zeppieri: This home was built for the Gould family in 1969 and they lived there till 2010. It was always a family home during that time in which the Goulds had two children ... and Virgina Gould managed Mohawk Forest Apartments and was a very active resident of North Adams.

Andrews: Built in about 1965.

What do the current owners love about this home?

Zeppieri: As the current owner it was a fun project to transform this home and get it ready for its next adventure with a new family to enjoy for many years.

Andrews: No one has lived in the house since we purchased the home. The new owners would be the first to live in the house since the renovations have been completed.

What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?

Andrews: I would suggest seeing the house either on a sunny day or at twilight to really get a vision of how special the home feels.

You can find out more about this house on its listing here.

*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.

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