Warren Block
Why it's listed
Warren Block is a four-story brick commercial building at 155 Main Street in downtown Marlborough, built in 1891 for local businessman Winslow Morse Warren. Its facade is covered in Roman buff brick laid in ornamental patterns, with reddish-brown mortar that matches the sandstone trim, fluted iron posts on the ground floor, and a corbeled cornice. The upper three stories remain unaltered, and the interior keeps marble stairs, a leaded skylight and a paneled elevator cab. Warren was an express company proprietor, insurer, bank director and town treasurer, and the fourth floor was designed as a club room. The building is significant as a rare survivor of the commercial prosperity that came to Marlborough with the railroad and its boot and shoe industry. Along with the neighboring Temple Building, it is the most intact remnant of the city's Victorian Main Street. The probable builder was Joseph E. Warren & Company, though this is not documented.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is a rare survivor of Marlborough's late 19th century commercial prosperity, tied to the city's shoe industry. It is also presented as a fine example of the period's eclectic architecture. It was erected by a prominent local businessman, and with the adjacent Temple Building it forms the most intact portion of the Victorian streetscape.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 83000836, listed March 10, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 155 Main St., Marlborough |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | March 10, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83000836 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Joseph E. Warren (probable) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition and altered at the ground floor; at the time of nomination it was being rehabilitated and adapted to apartments. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 42.34721, -71.54847 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 83000836.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7970060
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.