Cumberland Holdings Press Release

June 18, 2020

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[SALEM, OR, June 18, 2020--] Scott Chernoff of Cumberland Holdings was recently awarded the Benjamin I. Maxwell Award from the Historic Landmark Commission for the renovation and restoration of The Reed (formerly Reed Opera House) and the 120 Commercial building. 

 

Chernoff purchased both properties in early 2018 and has spent the last two years working to modernize the buildings, while still preserving their historic charm and framework by reusing wood and brick finishes, exposing original ceilings and brickwork, and making both buildings structurally sound.

 

Historic Landmark Commissioner Jamie French made the (virtual) presentation. She said, “The Reed Opera House building anchors a prime corner of our downtown core and has housed wonderfully diverse businesses throughout the years. Your team has done excellent work on the restoration of the brick exterior of this building.”

 

French added, “Your rehabilitation of the Durban Livery building is an outstanding example of historic commercial rehabilitation.  The dedication of your team to retain the historic fabric of the downtown historic district  is exemplary…”

 

“We purchased the properties just two years ago and we knew they were old buildings, over 150 years old and they needed serious attention and renovations. We also were aware that both buildings were rooted in the deep history of Salem with the opera house hosting events for Presidents Hayes and Harrison in the late 1800s, and the activist Susan B. Anthony,” said Chernoff. “These renovations have required a significant investment and there have been some unknowns.  The north wall of 120 Commercial was on a stone foundation and not on concrete.  If you can imagine, workers were originally building this building on hand-laid stone. That required us to have to reevaluate structure and engineering issues.” 

 

“We’re not finished, especially with the Reed,” he added. “We have ambitious plans for the Reed -- to maximize the beauty of the building. We are going to make the Reed a centerpiece of Salem that the community will enjoy and all of us will be proud of.”

 

Both properties have received significant upgrades. The Reed, which typically holds about 80 different tenants, upgraded the Reed Ballroom with new chandeliers, a kitchen, and a bar. They also repointed the brick to make it seismically secure and repainted parts of the interior.

 

120 Commercial, which now houses Masonry Grill, was originally a stable yard. Built around the same time as The Reed (1870), the property needed significant work. It received a full interior renovation, had foundation upgrades, added new doorways and windows, and installed an outdoor firepit and covered area.

Visit the following website for more information: https://www.cityofsalem.net/Pages/winners-2020-hlc-awards.aspx.