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The structure, originally built in the 1800s and expanded in the 1870s, has previously been the site of a criminal lockup, a butchery, a shoe store and a photography studio.
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The auction was held Tuesday Dec. 6, after a walkthrough.
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The building has been vacant for several years, with visible damage to the building's outside brickwork and woodwork.

Former Moderne Studios Building Sold at Auction

By Brian RhodesiBerkshires Staff
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The former Moderne Studios building at 19 Eagle Street that has been vacant for several years sold at auction for $100,000 on Tuesday.

$100,000 was the lone bid for the property, despite several interested parties showing up for the auction. Prior to the bidding, potential bidders were given a tour of the three-floor, 5300-square-foot building.

Skip Barry of The Barry Group Real Estate, who placed the winning bid, said he is unsure what he plans to do with the property but spoke highly of the building itself and its location on Eagle Street.

"I think it's a fabulous location and a fabulous building," he said, noting that he owns other properties in the downtown area."

Barry said he has no connections to any businesses or owners previously involved with the property.

Irving Shechtman & Co., Inc. ran the auction.

According to Historic North Adams, the original structure, 21 Eagle St., was built in the 1800s and had been the site of a criminal lockup between 1864 and 1869. In 1869, the building was deemed unfit for use.
 
The building was then bought by the Tower Brothers, Horace and Henry Tower who renovated the building and in 1876 began using it as their butcher shop. 
 
In 1870, the Tower brothers began building 19 Eagle St., expanding the property. This was completed in 1872.
 
The company went bankrupt in 1901. 
 
In 1915, the building was sold to Charles Kronick who opened a shoe store in 1920.
 
In the fifties, Moderne Studios Photography opened in the building. They closed in the early aughts. 

The building has been vacant for several years, with visible damage to the building's outside brickwork and woodwork.

The property received new electrical work in 2003 before its purchase by the previous owner in 2005. In 2008, an excavation of the basement took place, in addition to the construction of a rear egress from the second floor. In 2009, the previous owner added beams and structural steel.

The building can house one commercial space on the first floor and four residential units on the second and third floors.


Tags: auction,   Eagle Street,   

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North Adams Navigators Honored for Enrolling Residents In Affordable Health Plans

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Health Connector joined lawmakers at the State House to recognize representatives from community Navigator organizations, including Ecu-Health Care of North Adams, for their work to enroll residents into affordable Health Connector plans in advance of the upcoming deadline for Open Enrollment, which is Jan. 23.
 
Free, local help is available in-person and in multiple languages for residents applying for a plan with Ecu-Health Care, which serves Northern Berkshire, and other Navigator organizations across the commonwealth.
 
"Massachusetts requires everyone to have health insurance, so if you don’t have coverage, now is the time to enroll," said Audrey Morse Gasteier, the executive director of the Massachusetts Health Connector. "The Health Connector provides help paying for coverage for many people, which means residents can get a plan that gives them access to the care and services they need. We are here to help enroll anyone without health insurance so they can kick off the new year with the peace of mind that comes with affordable, high-quality health coverage."
 
Most people who apply for coverage through the Health Connector qualify for ConnectorCare, which makes coverage more affordable through lower premiums and co-pays, and the elimination of deductibles.
 
ConnectorCare plans are only available through the Health Connector and provide no-cost prescriptions for chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension. A two-year pilot program started in 2024 expands the income eligibility to the program, with income limits for 2025 plans at $75,300 for an individual and $156,000 for a family of four.
 
People can apply for ConnectorCare or other Health Connector coverage at MAhealthconnector.org, which also includes information on community Navigator locations. Ecu-Health Care is located on the North Adams Regional Hospital campus and can be reached at 413-663-8711.
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