House at 15 Wave Avenue, Renaissance Revival residence in Wakefield, Massachusetts
The House at 15 Wave Avenue is a two-story wooden building featuring a gabled roof and Renaissance Revival decorative details. The front facade displays round-arch windows, decorative brackets, and a single-story porch with intricately carved posts and valances, while the sloping lot descends toward Lake Quannapowitt to the west.
The building was constructed between 1875 and 1883 during a period of economic growth driven by the regional shoe manufacturing industry. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989 for its architectural merit.
The residence displays design choices favored by prosperous factory owners of the 1800s, reflecting their social standing through architectural details. Visitors walking past can observe how these elements conveyed wealth and taste in the local community.
The property sits on the south side of Wave Avenue and can be viewed from outside without needing to enter. Clear weather offers the best views of the architectural details and the landscape sloping toward the water.
The front porch features remarkable hand-carved brackets and decorative elements that showcase the level of craftsmanship invested in fine details. These ornaments are characteristic of the skilled woodworking typical of the era when the house was built.
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