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In 2005 while on a training run for a marathon, Eric Agren Agren saw a For Sale sign on a building at 49 Lisbon St. in downtown Lewiston, the old Lyceum Hall, and 3 months later he and his wife Carrie bought the property. At first glance the Agrens saw the potential but the restoration task seemed a bit daunting. They were were looking for a place to open their restaurant which is now Fuel and to also live were they worked. The Agrens said they love the downtown living because of its convenience and hardly ever need to use their vehicle. What they love most about their residence is that much of the original 1872 elements have been preserved, the tin ceiling, doors and floor. A deck on the roof top was added with a view of the Auburn skyline to the west and Lewiston to the east. Agren talks about the history of some rooms in the apartment: one room was a lawyer’s office, his bathroom used to be dentist’s office, with a real estate office down the hall now a bedroom.
Jose Leiva/Sun Journal The main hallway that runs down the middle of the house. Although the heating equipment and lighting is new, the wainscoting, floor, door trim and brick are all original, from 1872. The duct work along the ceiling acts as modern sculpture. The main hallway that runs down the middle of the house. Although the heating equipment and lighting is new, the wainscoting, floor, door trim and brick are all original, from 1872. The main hallway that runs down the middle of the house. Although the heating equipment and lighting is new, the wainscoting, floor, door trim and brick are all original, from 1872. The main hallway that runs down the middle of the house. Although the heating equipment and lighting is new, the wainscoting, floor, door trim and brick are all original, from 1872.
Jose Leiva/Sun Journal The arch in the brick wall separating the main hallway and the main living space. The doors to the left lead to a stairway to the upper floors, which used to be a theatre, holding 1000 people. The artwork of the Buddha is by Ray Michaud, a local artist.
Jose Leiva/Sun Journal The main living area and dining area. The big mechanical thing is the sprinkler system for the upper floors. When we bought the house, the system was enclosed in a room. We thought it looked pretty cool, so we exposed it. The table was made for us from shelving that was reclaimed from the 4th floor of the building.
Jose Leiva/Sun Journal The kitchen area. The tin ceiling, transom doors and trim is all original from 1872. The cooking suite is a Jade product. I was the national sales manager for Jade for 3 years, and this piece was designed specifically for this kitchen. It has two convection ovens, 16 burners, a sink and dishwasher.
Jose Leiva/Sun Journal The kitchen area. The bar area is always the place where people gather when we have a dinner party.
Jose Leiva/Sun Journal Our outdoor space. It
The front of Lyceum hall. Built in 1872, it originally a theatre that seated 1000 people. The second floor housed legal offices and a dentist. The first floor was home to several businesses, including Hall and Knight hardware, Berry Paper, and Loring Short and Harmon. Today, the first floor houses our restaurant Fuel, and L/A Arts Gallery 5. Is that cool? In case you need it. The doors in the hallway used to lead to law, real estate and dental offices. Our bedroom, in the front of the building, was Ezra H. White’s dental office from 1880 to 1932. The bathroom you took photos of was the office of William HInds, a lawyer, state representative court attorney, and mayor. The theatre hosted many acts over the years, but of particular interest is that Buffalo Bill Cody and Wild Bill Hickok performed here. The building was designed by Charles F. Douglas, and is singly listed on the National Historic Register.
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