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The structure, originally built in the 1800s and expanded in the 1870s, has previously been the site of a criminal lockup, a butchery, a shoe store and a photography studio.
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The auction was held Tuesday Dec. 6, after a walkthrough.
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The building has been vacant for several years, with visible damage to the building's outside brickwork and woodwork.

Former Moderne Studios Building Sold at Auction

By Brian RhodesiBerkshires Staff
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The former Moderne Studios building at 19 Eagle Street that has been vacant for several years sold at auction for $100,000 on Tuesday.

$100,000 was the lone bid for the property, despite several interested parties showing up for the auction. Prior to the bidding, potential bidders were given a tour of the three-floor, 5300-square-foot building.

Skip Barry of The Barry Group Real Estate, who placed the winning bid, said he is unsure what he plans to do with the property but spoke highly of the building itself and its location on Eagle Street.

"I think it's a fabulous location and a fabulous building," he said, noting that he owns other properties in the downtown area."

Barry said he has no connections to any businesses or owners previously involved with the property.

Irving Shechtman & Co., Inc. ran the auction.

According to Historic North Adams, the original structure, 21 Eagle St., was built in the 1800s and had been the site of a criminal lockup between 1864 and 1869. In 1869, the building was deemed unfit for use.
 
The building was then bought by the Tower Brothers, Horace and Henry Tower who renovated the building and in 1876 began using it as their butcher shop. 
 
In 1870, the Tower brothers began building 19 Eagle St., expanding the property. This was completed in 1872.
 
The company went bankrupt in 1901. 
 
In 1915, the building was sold to Charles Kronick who opened a shoe store in 1920.
 
In the fifties, Moderne Studios Photography opened in the building. They closed in the early aughts. 

The building has been vacant for several years, with visible damage to the building's outside brickwork and woodwork.

The property received new electrical work in 2003 before its purchase by the previous owner in 2005. In 2008, an excavation of the basement took place, in addition to the construction of a rear egress from the second floor. In 2009, the previous owner added beams and structural steel.

The building can house one commercial space on the first floor and four residential units on the second and third floors.


Tags: auction,   Eagle Street,   

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SteepleCats Fall to Upper Valley Nighthawks

By Ben McDonoughFor iBerkshires.com
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The North Adams SteepleCats were unable to overcome a pair of multi-run innings Friday night at Joe Wolfe Field, falling 5-1 to the Upper Valley Nighthawks.
 
North Adams pitcher Jakob Foster was making his first start after throwing only two innings earlier in the season and looked sharp early. The right-hander struck out two in a scoreless first inning before punching out three more hitters in the second, allowing just a hit batter to reach base.
 
Upper Valley broke through in the third. Alejandro Puig opened the inning with a single before James Love doubled with two outs. A two-run double by Magoulik gave the Nighthawks a 2-0 lead before Foster escaped the frame.
 
The SteepleCats struggled to generate offense against Upper Valley starter Trey Sejnoha, who retired the first nine North Adams hitters in order. Nick Lamelo finally reached in the third, hustling into second on a ball misplayed in right field.
 
North Adams put together its best threat of the game in the fourth. Bobby Stang reached on an error and Nelphie Lopez worked a walk to put two runners aboard. Chris Diaz moved both runners into scoring position with a groundout, but Sejnoha induced a foul fly ball to end the inning and strand both runners.
 
The Nighthawks added to their lead in the fifth. After an error extended the inning, Upper Valley loaded the bases before a hit batter forced home a run. Jake Bell followed with a two-run double, pushing the Nighthawks’ advantage to 5-0.
 
The SteepleCats answered with another opportunity in the bottom half of the inning. Shawn Stephenson and Owen Arias recorded back-to-back infield singles, and a walk to Evan Meier loaded the bases with two outs. Reliever Nick Tamburro entered and escaped the jam with a strikeout, preserving the shutout.
 
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