The Preservation League of New York State‘s annual Excellence in Historic Preservation Awards program shines a light on the people who are using historic preservation to create positive change — through exemplary restoration projects, indispensable publications, individual action, and organizational distinction.
Recipients of the Excellence Award represent the very best of what the League stands for and supports in historic preservation.
They exemplify best practices in the field and demonstrate how preservation is integral to building stronger neighborhoods, boosting local economies, tackling the affordable housing crisis, mitigating climate change, opening our eyes to overlooked history, and saving the places that are special to all of us.
The Excellence Awards celebrate those who work so hard to protect that shared heritage.
This year’s Award winners will be recognized at a public reception in New York City on Monday, November 3. Tickets for the event will go on sale soon. The 2025 awardees include:
Steve Swiat / Northwood Sash & Joinery, Buffalo, Erie County
For 25 years, Steve Swait has been practicing his trade of wood craftsmanship for historic window sashes, doors, and millwork trim across New York state, and training future trades people through numerous workshops and demonstrations.
His work demonstrates excellence in historic preservation by using traditional, historic materials that were designed and fabricated to be repaired and restored whenever possible.
In doing so, his work promotes true sustainability through reduced material consumption, maximizes embodied energy resources already used to create the initial product and puts less waste in our overburdened landfills.
The Monroe, Buffalo, Erie County
This $8.4 million rehabilitation project converted the former Record Theatre complex into 17 affordable apartments plus over 10,000 square feet of commercial/retail space.
The rehabilitation of The Monroe building is a shining example of how adaptative reuse through historic preservation can catalyze the resurgence of surrounding neighborhoods. It also shows that affordable housing can be as well-located and well-appointed as market-rate housing – its location on Main Street brings much-needed affordable housing to the center of the city.
The Nest at Strand-Lamon, Watertown, Jefferson County
The NEST is an exciting new hub for performance art and entrepreneurship in the North County. The two-building complex located just off the historic Public Square in downtown Watertown consists of the 1914 Strand Theater and the adjacent ca. 1900 Lamon Building.
The redevelopment has created a dynamic and innovative partnership between SUNY Jefferson Community College (JCC) and the HarmoNNY Performing Arts Group.
New York City Housing Authority Projects: Williamsburg Houses + Exodus and Dance, Brooklyn, Kings County
The rehabilitation of the Williamsburg Houses and the restoration of James Richmond Barthé’s Exodus & Dance are testaments to the New York City Housing Authority’s commitment to demonstrating pride of place at NYCHA properties.
These two projects sit at opposites ends of the spectrum in terms of scale – one a multi-building, 1,600+ unit residence, the other a Works Progress Administration-era public art installation – but in both cases, the attention to detail and care taken to include the community show the importance of centering people in the process of managing these important public places.
Aqueduct District Redevelopment, Rochester, Monroe County
The transformation of Rochester‘s historic Aqueduct Building and Campus into the new headquarters for Constellation Brands represents an extraordinary achievement in adaptive reuse and historic preservation.
Occupying six interconnected buildings on a campus totaling 182,000 square feet, this project overcame significant architectural, engineering, and cultural challenges to deliver a state-of-the-art, collaborative workspace within a meticulously restored 19th-century industrial setting.
Ann-Isabel Friedman, New York City
For more than 20 years, Ann-Isabel Friedman directed the Sacred Sites Program at The New York Landmarks Conservancy (NYLC) in New York City, acting as a tireless advocate for historic religious properties.
Throughout her distinguished career, she provided an indispensable source of financial support, technical assistance, and educational programming for hundreds of religious spaces – not only in New York City, but throughout the State.
Olbiston Apartments, Utica, Oneida County
The Olbiston building suffered from decades of deferred maintenance and deterioration before being rehabilitated. It appeared abandoned and destined for loss until Liberty Affordable Housing of Rome, NY saw the potential of the Olbiston to fill the pressing need for affordable housing in Utica and acquired the building in 2021.
Liberty Affordable Housing funded the project, using a combination of public and private funding, including Federal and New York State Rehabilitation Tax Credits. The rehabilitated Olbiston has created almost 160 units, plus common spaces, tenant storage, and parking. Architects from Carmina Wood Design preserved essential historic characteristics of the building while ensuring that each unit is now updated to modern housing standards.
Lofts at the Foundry, Newburgh, Orange County
The Lofts at the Foundry represents the extraordinary culmination of a nearly 40-year effort to complete one of the Hudson Valley’s most ambitious adaptive reuse undertakings: the transformation of the historic Whitehill Engine & Pictet Ice Machine Works in Newburgh, NY into a 120-unit residential condominium.
Completed in November 2023, the final phase — 59 units known as The Lofts at the Foundry — overcame decades of economic turmoil, legal setbacks, and previous development missteps to deliver a model of sustainable preservation and community revitalization.
Huntington Apartments, Seneca Falls, Seneca County
The transformation of the historic Huntington Building — originally the National Yeast Company — into Huntington Apartments is a powerful example of how preservation, social impact, and sustainability can converge in one remarkable project.
Located at 201 Fall Street in the Village of Seneca Falls, this development, led by Home Leasing, is a testament to innovative adaptive reuse and community-driven revitalization.
Formerly deteriorating and underutilized, the Huntington Building now offers 53 thoughtfully designed affordable apartments, including 27 permanent supportive housing units for homeless veterans. In partnership with Eagle Star Housing through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI), the project addresses both veteran homelessness and affordable housing needs.
Untermyer Gardens, Yonkers, Westchester County
The restoration of Untermyer Park and Gardens by the Untermyer Gardens Conservancy began in 2011 with a single gardener and an annual visitation of about 5,000 people. In 2025, Untermyer now employs 11 gardeners and welcomes approximately 350,000 visitors annually. Located on 43 acres in Yonkers, it is one of the few important public gardens nationally that is free of charge to the public. The Conservancy works in a public-private partnership with the City of Yonkers, which owns the garden.
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Since its founding in 1974, the Preservation League of NYS has built a reputation for action and effectiveness. Our goal has been to preserve our historic buildings, districts, and landscapes and to build a better New York, one community at a time.
The League empowers all New Yorkers to use historic preservation to enrich their communities, protect their heritage, and build a sustainable future. We lead advocacy, economic development, and education programs across the state.
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