In August 2022, a two–alarm fire severely damaged the historic Hiram Lodge building at 8425-27 Germantown Ave.

The fire collapsed the roof and damaged much of the building, which was declared imminently dangerous by the city’s Department of Licenses and Inspections.

In 2024, developer Michael Young, who is currently completing construction of a mixed–use apartment building at the top of Germantown Avenue, purchased the Hiram Lodge property for $1.85 million. With his plan finalized, Young looks to start construction in March.

Young’s plan is to restore the structure, converting it into three condominiums: two residential units with two–car garages in the rear, and one commercial unit on the ground floor. The retail space will feature an antiques and furniture store designed by the interior design studio Tallulah & Bird, with the business name yet to be finalized.

“The second and third floors will each be separate condominiums. They’ll be close to 2,800 to 3,000 square feet each. The top one will be a two-story condo with a parlor on the roof, and then a huge roof deck,” Young told the Local. “Mainly, it’s just maintaining the architectural integrity for that street. If that building were torn down, you could build 22 units. I didn’t want to see that happen. I would rather see the Hiram Lodge restored and put back into residential use.”

The building was initially completed in 1889, constructed as the Knights of Pythias’ Preservation Lodge 46, according to a newsletter from the Chestnut Hill Conservancy following the fire.

Later serving as the home of Hiram Lodge 81, the building’s architect, George T. Pearson, designed several other buildings in Chestnut Hill, according to the Conservancy.

Undecided name

Entering the ground–floor commercial space will be a new project by Tallulah & Bird Interior Design.

Tallulah Regan, a Chestnut Hill resident and owner of Tallulah & Bird, told the Local,  “We collaborate on architectural design, interior architecture and interior design.  We work on both commercial and residential projects. Our passion is renovations of old, buildings, particularly in Chestnut Hill but we also do new construction. We have projects in progress locally and in the surrounding areas.”

The new project will be a retail space by Tallulah & Bird offering antiques, furniture, and gifts.

Regan said, “I am not ready to announce all of the components of the shop, but it will go beyond just retail. The shop will carry both antiques and new products. Our focus will be on as many sustainable products as possible. “

Tallulah & Bird is also helping design interiors for the two condominiums, along with Young’s other property at the top of the hill.

Regan has lived in Chestnut Hill for 25 years and has wanted to open a business on the avenue for a while. Wanting to do a lot of work to their space and in the building visually, Regan said it was important that they owned the space.

“It’s kind of a crazy time in some ways to [open a store]; retail in some people’s minds is very difficult now. I just think if you make something really experiential, it will draw interest and be significantly more rewarding than buying from the internet. Regan said. “I try to support the shops in Chestnut Hill now rather than ordering online. I love the bookstores and homegoods shops, the art galleries, the jewelry stores and the clothing stores to name a few."

She added, “Chestnut Hill [is] something really special, because it is such a great little village within the city. The more interesting places that we attract to come here, the better the town’s going to be. It just supports the community. I am excited about it what is coming. It will be a lot of work, a lot of extra work, but I believe it will be worth it."

Tommy Tucker can be reached at Tommy@chestnuthilllocal.com.

This story was updated on Jan. 8, to  add additional context in Regan's quotes.