Newell Boathouse and Weld Boathouse Harvard University

Sitting on opposite banks of the Charles River, Harvard’s Newell and Weld boathouses have anchored the university’s varsity rowing programs for more than a century. Now renovated, they stand ready for the next hundred years of competition. Both Newell (1901) and Weld (1906), designed by Peabody & Stearns, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and are contributing structures to the Charles River Basin Historic District. The renovations were the first comprehensive upgrades since their original construction. 

Two goals drove every design decision: restore the architectural integrity of these historic landmarks, and ensure complete equity between the men’s and women’s facilities in space, amenities and quality. The design team benchmarked both programs against 30 peer institutions to ensure both were right-sized and equivalent. 

Both facilities received upgraded training spaces, locker rooms, showers and coaches’ offices. At Newell, a 1960s addition was demolished to restore the original building’s presence, an antique rowing tank was converted into training space and two new boat sheds freed the primary bays for exclusive varsity use. At Weld, a river-facing boat bay was transformed into a new, lightf illed training space. Both buildings received elevator access for the first time, rebuilt docks and new sliding boat rack systems. 

Exterior restorations demanded exceptional preservation craft. Newell’s original slate skin and patinated copper trim were renewed in kind, while Weld’s deteriorated terracotta pediment was laser-scanned, molded and completely reconstructed. 

Architect of Record

Bruner/Cott Architects

Boston, Mass.

Design Architect

Peterson Architects

Cambridge, Mass.

Landscape Architect

Shadley Associates

Lexington, Mass.

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