In the early twentieth century, the Tudor Revival rivaled the Georgian Revival in popularity for apartment house construction, with this example one of the finest in the Boston vicinity. Following the precedent of the Richmond Court apartments in Brookline (BR6; 1898, Cram, Goodhue and Ferguson), Newhall and Blevins organized this block around a central courtyard, ornamented with gables, turrets, and projecting bays and entered through twin brick pier archways framing a wrought-iron gate. The courtyard concept allows maximum light and air, as well as providing separate entrances for each cluster of apartments. Because of Centre Street's narrow width, the architects oriented the building at an angle toward the intersection of Dana Street, enhancing the picturesque Tudor character and giving the courtyard entrance a feeling of intimacy.