About us

Southfield Preservation Works was founded by Paul Strattner in Newport, Rhode Island in 1999. Paul is a graduate of The University of Connecticut and has studied Historic Preservation at Roger Williams University. He served on the Historic District Commission in Newport, Rhode Island for nine years.
 
Paul came from a background of fine cabinet making in the Berkshire Hills and Cambridge, Massachusetts to the business of working with old buildings in Rhode Island in 1983. He worked as a carpenter, project supervisor, and cabinet shop foreman for the Architectural Preservation Group in Warwick, Rhode Island for six years.  

He was a founding partner of the Historic Preservation Partnership in 1989 where he sold, managed, and worked hands-on in projects with a wide range of size, scale, and complexity. This partnership was disbanded in 1999 and Southfield Preservation Works was born. 

The company prides itself on approaching all projects with an attention to the owners' wishes and a unique proclivity to problem solving. Successful projects result from the open collaboration of client and craftsman, and a respect for architecture that comes from the perspective of embodying an "old house soul".

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tESTIMONIALS

Thank you for a beautiful, professional job done on my home. I truly appreciate your love of beauty, attention to detail and suggestions of improvements. It's been a true pleasure working with you.  -Marlene L, Middletown, RI

Thank you, thank you for all that you did to make our dream a reality. Your commitment to this project meant so much to me and we were indeed fortunate to have you working with us.  - Gil and Betsy I., Kingston, RI

We are very pleased with the outstanding job you and your associates did... We have received many compliments on the excellent outcome.  -Jack G., North Kingstown, RI 

 Thank you so much for going above and beyond in helping me... It means so much to me to have a contractor and friend.  - Eve S., Newport, RI

 I would like to thank you for all of the work that you have done here to our home. Honestly, without your help (and your occasional "old house" pep-talk) I don't know if we'd still be living here.    Charlie S., Middletown, RI

Thank you for all of the high-quality work! - Frank and Lynn C., Wickford, RI

Thanks for taking such good care of my house. Sometimes (as with the front door) you've gone above & beyond the call of duty!  -Mimi K., Newport

The work on the garden house is perfect - another job well done!  - Mimi K., Newport, RI

But we also realized that we wish we'd met you years ago! It is hard to find people with the old house "soul".  - Frank and Sharon F., Foster, RI

  Once again, many thanks for your advice and council over the little house on Golden Hill. Ultimately, we decided that the property was just too small for our needs, but your advice will be tremendously useful as we continue our search...  Susan V. & Dick S., Newport, RI

We think of you as a friend, almost family really. Please consider us a glowing reference for a truly integrated remodeling job.  - Bruce & Ellie F., Saunderstown, RI

Thank you for everything, Paul. I really appreciated working with you and the guys on both a personal and business level.  - Lisa S., Saunderstown, RI

That "gentleman and scholar" bit is not lost on you: you made this whole project a challenge for us and convinced us we were up to it (and we were!).  -Ellie F., Saunderstown, RI

It's a great pleasure to have SPW do this work. Your care and craft is extraordinary.  -John W., Wakefield, RI

I was so pleased with the outcome of this project; I think it came out beautifully and it's thanks to you and your talented crew. I would love to work with you all  in the future and will most definitely keep you on the top of my call list for the next historic property.
-​Gale G., Newport, RI