14 New Studios Set for Vacant Bangor Landmark

Pike Project Development is converting four vacant floors of the Pearl Building into 14 studio apartments. The work began this spring after the company purchased the historic structure at the corner of State and Harlow streets in downtown Bangor.

Zack Pike, one of the company’s developers, said the goal is to have the units ready for tenants by the summer of 2027. He noted that the rent prices have not yet been finalized. Each of the 14 units will feature an open floorplan and a single full bathroom.

The Pearl Building was constructed shortly after the Great Fire of 1911 destroyed much of the downtown area. A 1915 entry in the Maine Chamber of Commerce Journal states that the Pearl & Dennett Co., an insurance and real estate firm, occupied the ground floor as offices.

For decades, the upper levels of the building sat empty. Pike described the space as abandoned office areas that had seen little activity during his years of working in the downtown district. The ground floor has remained active, with the vintage clothing store Log Jam Vintage opening in May 2025. One other commercial space on the lower level remains vacant.

Renovating the upper floors required substantial demolition and repair due to years of neglect. Pike said the roof needed replacement because a leak had caused water damage. Workers also had to repair the masonry. The company plans to keep the building’s original windows in place, including the curved units at the street corner. Pike said the team is reglazing the panes and fixing broken glass rather than replacing the frames.

Pike Project Development specializes in restoring historic structures in Bangor. The team previously renovated 33 State St., which is diagonally across the intersection. They also worked on 24 State St., which currently houses the Orono Brewing Company.

The addition of housing is expected to address local shortages. Pike said that having more residents in the downtown area will support local businesses. He added that a higher population in the district helps improve the overall atmosphere for the community.