Federal Street storefront returns to historic roots

One of downtown Milton's most historic buildings – which has served as a bank, pharmacy, one-room schoolhouse, florist's shop and art gallery throughout the last century – is getting a serious facelift.

The property at 108 Federal St. was most recently known as the Federal Street Gallery & Espresso Bar, a familiar gathering spot for many locals to catch up on caffeine and conversation. In a current renovation, its new owners hope to revive the storefront, bringing back a coffee shop or welcoming a new business, and will continue renting the second floor of the structure.

The history and charm of the structure, which sat on the market for years before it was sold in summer 2016, caught the eye of Walter Gagliano and Aurelio Grisanty, two art-minded individuals who settled in Milton after illustrious careers in Washington, D.C.

“It's such a distinctive building. You sort of can't help but notice it if you have interest in architecture at all,” Gagliano said. “And once we came in, the possibilities just caught us.”

Grisanty and Gagliano have perused historical photos to help guide them in the restoration of the building to bring back some architectural features that have been lost, or covered, since it was originally built in 1901.

“I knew the first thing to do was rip off anything that wasn't from 1901,” Gagliano said. “The first thing was to get rid of all the gunk that got added over the years. It's been 115 years. Fashions change.”

A new black roof will capture the look of slate, which Gagliano and Grisanty believe would have been the original material used. Gingerbread trim, as well as 42-inch replica finials – a pointed ornamentation on top of the roof – and other remarkable architectural and aesthetic touches will bring the building close to its original, turn-of-the-century look.

“To go back to how the building looked originally is impossible,” Grisanty said. “What we're trying to do is to get it to feel like it used to be, to get those Victorian details that will make it look more authentic. So that you see it and you feel like it's back to the feeling they had in those days with the architecture.”

As an interior designer in Washington, D.C., Gagliano tackled similarly challenging projects, including designing 35 restaurants in 35 years, restoring decrepit row houses and building an award-winning, three-unit contemporary condominium that fit right into a block full of Victorians. Gagliano also had their home custom-built in Wagamon's West Shores – with a facade design that has now been copied by several nearby homeowners – and restored another historic home at 421 Federal St.

“It's nice to have the capability of doing things like this, like taking buildings that are OK; they're not in ruins or anything, but just to make it better and give them a fresh start,” Grisanty said.

The new property owners also hope to return the building to its most recent use as a coffee shop, but other retail options are on the table as well. An apartment above that space also is slated for renovation, in cooperation with the current tenants.

Once the building is up and running with a new commercial tenant – or close to it – Gagliano and Grisanty will embark on the second phase of renovations, which includes an addition.

The 30-foot addition will extend about 18 feet into the parking lot next to the building. Gagliano, a strong proponent for historic preservation, said he has designed the addition to be consistent with the look of homes along Federal Street. It also will feature a sidewalk cafe, two retail spaces and two urban, loft-like apartments.

“I think what Milton needs is people who will invest beyond reason,” Gagliano said. “It shows faith in Milton.”

Grisanty agreed, pointing to how much Milton's business community has grown in recent years.

“When I moved here, we only had one restaurant,” he said. “I hope it doesn't stop here and the town keeps growing in a positive way.”