Inside Avalon Danvers
My wife and I recently looked at an apartment in what used to be the Danvers Kirkbride. We originally thought we were going to be looking at a condo, but it turns out Avalon only rents the Kirkbride living spaces.
We were shown a model apartment on the first floor of the admin. It was actually reasonably nice for an apartment. The rooms were bright (because of those big Kirkbride windows). The kitchen had the essential granite counter tops, and a seemingly impossible amount of cabinet space. There were also two huge bathrooms you could dance the Tango in. While not exceptional, the construction didn’t seem particularly cheap either. We were told the apartments in what’s left of the Kirkbride are of a higher quality than the ones in the new buildings.
But even though the apartment was more appealing than we expected, we really couldn’t get past the fact that Avalon has erased any sense of the building as an historic structure. There’s zero impression of anything more than just some run-of-the-mill, reasonably nice apartment building. Once you’re through the nineteenth-century front doors and past the semi-arched windows in the lobby, there are no charming architectural details inside. It’s true we didn’t get to see an apartment in one of the wings, but I suspect the story is pretty much the same throughout the building. They did gut the whole thing after all.
Here are some photos I took with a point & shoot.
Kitchen
View into a Bedroom
Living Room
The Lobby Cafe
The Main Entrance
this is funny. i JUST saw danvers (or what was once danvers) for the very first time last night. unfortunately i didnt get into urban exploration until right when they started taking the complex down, and being from nj i dont make it up to mass that often unfortunately. however i was up there this weekend, and a friend drove up to the complex. but just like you said, it was amazing. it holds no clue to its past. they did a marvelous job of white washing the entire place (sarcasm).
i love your blog by the way. i read it every day.
Wow… I’m glad you included some pictures… it is interesting what they have done. I’m a bit amazed by the generic look to the new structures… and the interior shots you included give absolutely no clue that it was once a state hospital.
Is there any reference to, or memorial type thing anywhere on the grounds that acknowledge it once was Danvers?
I think there’s going to be a memorial outside near where the Grey Gables used to be. They built like a little miniature park surrounded by a low wall. Some parts of the wall are raised and angled as if there are going to be some sort of plaques placed on them. When it’s finished I’ll post about it.
@Christina: I’m glad you liked the blog. Too bad you didn’t visit a few years ago. It’s sad to see now, even though I’m kind of glad that at least it’s not all boarded up and falling apart anymore.
It’s gone from Session Nine to….HGTV!
What wonders happened to the surrounds including the graveyard? Is it a Poltergeist moment and just built over or?
Did you see amy of that evident?
The graveyards are still intact and undisturbed. I’m pretty certain they’re still state property and Avalon doesn’t own the land the graves are on. No need to worry about that.
Thanks! Not worried I just feel this whole thing is so bizarre in my mind.
“Here is your luxury One Bedroom, The Fitness Center, the beautiful landscaped gardens and a graveyard where thousands of nameless mentally forsaken people are buried…”
I guess people don’t have a problem with it as the apartments are renting well.
I just might be to sensitive to live there.
Thanks for the lovely blog about these buildings. They make my head filled with thought and architecture.
Ha. Yeah it is a bit bizarre to think about. But there are plenty of people who don’t mind evidently. Plus, the closest graveyard is still well out of sight. I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of residents aren’t even aware it’s there. I’m sure Avalon doesn’t play up its proximity. Glad you like the blog.
My boyfriend and I moved into Avalon of Danvers in October 07, what a awesome place to live. It is very quite and reserved. I have walked down to the graveyard and was so very touched. Would like to know where the other two graveyards are though.
I meant quiet!!
By the way, I did a paper on the State Hospital when I was in College what a difference now. I would love to do more research into the history.
I’d be very interested in reading people’s research and papers on the subject. I am just beginning to explore these images after having been captivated by the comperable Detroit auto industry history in decay images as well as those of their old great hotels and theatres that are also posted online. The only trouble is that when people speak of not posting an image because it has been seen or taklen so many times before, I have realised that I haven’t come across it yet myself ( ie. the toothbrush reference) so I wish they would be posted anyway. PLus, a series can be very interesting especially when change is evident and signs of differing seasons take their toll. Thank you for posting all of this - and I think you were very fortunate to have been able to see the place first hand. I would love to see more images including the old physician’s office scale from the 1800’s or the turn of the century. I sure hope that someone rescued the last of the relics before it was torn down.