178 Middle Street Honored for Excellence in Historic Preservation

Old Port Square is pleased to share that the Boyd Block, located at 178 Middle Street, has been named a recipient of a 2026 Maine Preservation Honor Award. This announcement comes on the heels of another recent award win for Old Port Square — in December, Old Port Square received an Architizer Vision Award for Retail & Hospitality use.

Since 1998, the Maine Preservation Honor Awards have celebrated excellence in the rehabilitation of historic buildings across the state, honoring projects that combine rigorous research, craftsmanship, and long-term stewardship. The restoration of the Boyd Block at 178 Middle Street exemplifies this mission — the project returned a post–Great Fire landmark designed by the prominent Portland architect George M. Harding back to its architectural roots. Acquired in 2021 and rehabilitated through 2025, the comprehensive reconstruction balanced preservation with strikingly modern performance upgrades. Historic interior elements, including original millwork and trim concealed for decades, were carefully restored or replicated to match their 19th-century profiles.

Today, the property is home to Maine businesses on its ground floor — Rough & Tumble and Bangor Savings Bank. The upper floors feature one- and two-bedroom private lofts as part of The Docent’s Collection, an award-winning hospitality concept located within Old Port Square that blends the first-class hospitality of a hotel stay with modern, mobile-first service and personalized amenities. Guests staying at the Boyd Block will step inside to find large windows, custom floor-to-ceiling paneled kitchens, marble countertops, patterned white oak flooring, and a blend of minimalist design with restored historic details.

The project was completed by local real estate investment, development and management company East Brown Cow, which owns and manages Old Port Square.

“We’re deeply honored to receive this recognition from Maine Preservation,” said Jacob Soley, Director of Development at East Brown Cow. “The Boyd Block demanded an extraordinary level of care, research, and collaboration. Our goal was not simply to restore a building, but to faithfully return George M. Harding’s vision to the urban fabric of the Old Port—so it can continue to serve the city for generations to come.”

Learn more about the Maine Preservation Honor Awards here.