178 Middle Street Earns Maine Preservation Honor Award

The Docent’s Collection is pleased to share that 178 Middle Street, historically known as the Boyd Block, has been named a recipient of a 2026 Maine Preservation Honor Award —highlighting another milestone for the four architecturally significant buildings that comprise The Docent’s Collection.

Since 1998, the annual 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 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 while reinforcing its role in the city’s vibrant downtown.

The multi-year rehabilitation of 178 Middle Street took place from fall 2021 through 2025, following East Brown Cow’s acquisition of the property in 2021. The project revealed original details hidden for decades, including intact 19th-century millwork, trim, and window casings. These elements were meticulously restored or replicated using custom fabrication techniques so the building’s interior would reflect its original craftsmanship as faithfully as its exterior.

Today, 178 Middle Street once again plays a vibrant role at a key intersection of Middle and Exchange Street in the Old Port. Its ground floor is home to local Maine businesses – Rough & Tumble and Bangor Savings Bank, while the upper floors feature 16 thoughtfully designed one- and two-bedroom private lofts as part of The Docent’s Collection. Guests from around the world can now experience this historic landmark firsthand, where strikingly modern interiors are juxtaposed with carefully preserved architectural details.

This honor follows a series of recent award wins for the historic buildings that house The Docent’s Collection. In 2025, 121 Middle Street (the Thompson Block) won a 2025 Great Portland Landmarks Award in addition to a 2025 Build Maine Award.  115 Middle Street (the Abraham Robinson Block) also won a Maine Preservation Honor Award in 2023.

Learn more about the Maine Preservation Honor Awards here.