The sun was just starting to rise on June 23, as Guy Davis of Davis Construction House and Building Movers began moving the first and largest of three historic Victorian houses for Harvard Law School. By the time the second and third buildings began their journey a large crowd of onlookers had gathered.

And what a show they got. The Ukraine, Baker and Carriage houses rolled effortlessly along Massachusetts Avenue, the major roadway of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Guy Davis said, “Due to the careful planning by all parties involved, the day of the move went absolutely perfect.”

The 131 year old, three story Ukraine House was first in line. Weighing in at over 200 tons with measurements of  57’x 57’ x 50’ tall, size required the structure to be maneuvered over a concrete center island and straddle the median for it’s ride down Massachusetts Avenue. All this while loaded onto a grid of 14” cross beams with three double “I” 18” main beams, and three 14” transverse beams.

The 132 year old Baker House followed, weighing over 62 tons and measuring 35' x 44' x 43'.  The 132 year old Carriage House brought up the rear, weighing approximately 25 tons and measuring 25' x 30' x 34'.

The Ukraine House was raised using twenty-four J.S.J.S. jacks, a new J.S.J.S. twelve jack ball valve jacking machine. The Ukraine House was moved using twelve dollies four of which were self-propelled powered by a hydraulic power unit built and designed by Wolfe House Movers. The Baker house was moved on four dollies including one self-propelled; while the Carriage house used three dollies with one self-propelled.

“Using hydraulic power dollies makes the entire move smoother and safer. Having the ability to control the hydraulic rams, zones, power steering, brakes and speed of the building all on a wireless remote control is amazing,” said Guy Davis.

One of the biggest challenges of this project was weight distribution on the dollies. There were concerns of crushing the subway tunnels that run underneath the roadway. After much discussion it was decided that to maintain a safe transport there could be no more than twenty tons per dolly.

Harvard relocated these three historic houses, formerly used as office buildings to make way for the construction of a new academic complex. The houses, valued at over a million dollars, moved approximately a half mile down the street in record time, and arrived at their new location before 10:30 am. Due to Davis Construction’s hasty work, the City of Cambridge was able to re-open the road 24 hours earlier than expected much to the joy of Cambridge drivers.

From planning to execution, this project took approximately one month to complete, but was planned for years by Harvard University who sought out Davis Construction for this project based on their past successes and flawless reputation. “It was an honor to be chosen by Harvard for this delicate project,” said Guy Davis.

Special thanks to Gabor Tarjan of Ace House Movers and to Wolfe House Movers for their assistance on this project. 

 Click here to read our front page Boston Globe write up! 

This move was completed in conjunction with