THE MARLBOROUGH, A BRIEF HISTORY
Written by: Debra V. Barry
The Marlborough Apartments building, 180-188 High Street, was built in 1914 on the designs of the firm of Miller & Mayo. The firm was formed in Lewiston in 1907 between long time architect William Miller (1866-1929) and the younger Raymond J. Mayo (1876-1966). The complex was recognized by Greater Portland Landmarks as an historic property in 2002. In the first two decades of the 20th century Miller and Mayo also designed the Stateway Apartments on State Street. (just down from Mercy Hospital-opposite side-after Danforth Street), Lafayette Hotel Annex and the now lost Elm Theatre. In doing research on the Marlborough I found that Bernard Shalit had it built in 1914. Unfortunately, he died shortly after the building was completed but his family inherited the building and lived here until 1968. It remained in the family until 1980. A newspaper article in the Portland Press Herald of February 20, 1980 describes selling of the Marlborough from William A. Shalit to Robert J. and Roy Dunfey. This was the beginning of turning the Marlborough from apartments to condos. It was a rather new concept to the Portland area and of great interest to the public. Over the years The Marlborough has had a few notable residents and events. When Hiram Abrams, a Portland native, who became one of the founders of Paramount Pictures and then the head of Untied Artist Corporation , died in 1926, his funeral processed from the Marlborough. Why? Because his sister, Mrs. Abraham Goodside, lived in Unit 21. As journalist Hal Boyle put it “His funeral from the home of a sister in the Marlborough Apartments of High Street could have been the most elaborate in Portland this century. A special train arrived the night before from New York with a carload of floral tributes and many of the Hollywood stars of 1926.” The Marlborough has been home to an Episcopal Bishop, art collectors, writers, museum curators, architects and people of numerous other occupations. The one thing we all have in common is that we have chosen to make the Marlborough our home.
BERNARD SHALIT – BUILDER
Bernard Shalit was a native of Simna, Poland who immigrated to Portland and lived here for more than 30 years before passing away at the age of 47 on January 14, 1915. In the three decades that Mr. Shalit lived in Portland he was well known. He opened a clothing store on Congress Street near Temple and later moved the store to 520 Congress Street. Five years prior to his death he retired from the clothing business and engaged in the real estate trade, one of his largest holdings being the Marlborough Apartment Building which was erected in 1914. Mr. Shalit was married to Annie Abrams for twenty three years and they had two sons, Dr. Harold Shalit of Portland and William Shalit who was a student at Hebron Academy when his father passed away. He was also survived by his father who was still living in Poland and by two brothers and a sister. Mr. Shalit was the founder of the organization that was instrumental in the building of the Hebrew Temple on Newbury Street (which now is an office building but still retains some original designs elements) and was, according to the Portland Evening Express, “a member of every Jewish Charitable Association in Portland.” Bernard Shalit, who worked hard for thirty years, retired and then decided to build the Marlborough, seems to have succeeded in the immigrant’s dream of America. Sadly, he did not live long enough to truly enjoy living at the Marlborough, but thanks to him and his relatives, we can.