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Astor Courts |
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This marvelous restoration project brought back Stanford White’s Astor Courts, to the delight of not only the homeowners but to civic groups who have been generously granted access to the landmark building and grounds in recent years. In addition to stripping away inappropriate changes which had occurred incrementally at the house, the effort also restored significant elements of the estate’s landscape, most notably clearing the site in order to restore the original and critical sense of open space surrounding the house and re-opening the views of the river. Given the extreme development pressure that has led to the demise of so many of the Hudson Valley’s architectural jewels and the subdivision of so much green space, this project is particularly gratifying. According to Samuel G. White, principal-in-charge of the restoration of Astor Courts for Platt Byard Dovell White Architects, “Astor Courts was created by a great American architect for a major Gilded Age landowner. It was designed to enhance the glory of its Hudson River setting as well as the entertainment of the weekend guests of John Jacob Astor IV. It is not every day that you get to combine social and architectural history with beauty and fun, but Astor Courts has all of these qualities in abundance.” |
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| > Christ Episcopal Church Poughkeepsie, dutchess county |
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| The tower of Christ Church is an important icon and beacon for Poughkeepsie residents, and is one of the best examples of 19th Century English Gothic architecture along the Hudson River. A detailed conditions survey revealed stone deterioration and displacement, and trees could be seen growing from damaged joints. Meticulous repair, replacement – where necessary – and cleaning of each stone on the tower have restored this landmark to its former glory.
Contributing to the success of this project were Lichten Craig Architects, LLP; The Jane W. Nuhn Charitable Trust; the Sacred Sites Program of the New York Landmarks Conservancy; the Dutchess County Historical Society; Monaco Restorations, Inc.; Pasvalco Stone; the NYS Office of Parks Recreation & Historic Preservation; The Episcopal Diocese of New York; and Christ Episcopal Church. A number of Poughkeepsie’s prominent families belonged to Christ Church, and the view from the steeple takes in a wide swath of the Hudson valley, from the Catskills to the Shawangunks. According to Barry Donaldson, Senior Architect with Lichten Craig Architects, LLP, “The restoration of the tower at Christ Episcopal Church involved the efforts of a great many people who have been committed to this project for more than a decade. Now that the tower has been restored to its original color and brightness, I hope that this effort will inspire a comprehensive restoration program for the entire church.” |
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> Asbury Delaware Church - "Babeville" Buffalo, erie county |
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This handsome 1870s Medina sandstone building looms large at the intersection of several historic districts in downtown Buffalo. What was once a derelict candidate for demolition is now a proud symbol of what can be achieved when public and private sectors work together. This former Episcopal church is now home to a performance space, art gallery, and recording studio. Further, this project illustrates a creative solution to an all too common challenge; what to do with an abandoned inner-city religious structure. Contributing to the success of this project were Righteous Babe Records; Flynn Battaglia Architects, PC; Architectural Resources; Siracuse Engineers; Wiss Janney Elstner Associates, Inc.; M/E Engineering; and Del Resources. Major financial support was secured through Federal Historic Tax Credits and New Market Tax Credits; the New York State Empire Zone Program; and the Buffalo Economic Renaissance Corporation. New vibrancy has been brought to the neighborhood surrounding this long-closed sanctuary and parish hall through the introduction of work, exhibition, performance and community space. According to Peter Flynn, Preservation Architect with Flynn Battaglia Architects, PC, “At a time when congregations are abandoning many inner city churches, we are very happy to be the designers for a project which creatively adapts and faithfully restores an historic resource with the rich architectural tradition of the Asbury Delaware.” |
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| > The Emerson Manhattan, new york County |
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| With the use of Low Income Housing Tax Credits as well as Rehabilitation Tax Credits, this early 20th century model tenement has been restored from its previous sooty, vandalized, pigeon-infested state to provide 33 units of integrated affordable housing with multiple windows in each room. Once slated for demolition, a team of advocates, activist tenants, and city agencies have returned this significant historic building to its original social purpose.
Contributing to the success of this project were Clinton Housing Development Company; the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development; Enterprise; Edelman Sultan Knox Wood / Architects LLP; Abraham Joselow, P.C.; Robert Silman Associates, P.C.; Higgins Quasebarth & Partners; and Mega Contracting. Additional supporters include: Manhattan Community Board 4: Anna Levin, J.D. Noland, Simone Sindin; Anne-Marie Hendrickson, Associate Commissioner, Management and Disposition, NYC HPD; Angela Simpson-Buckley, Program Director, Neighborhood Redevelopment Program, NYC HPD; The Flats Tenant Association; Jerilyn Perine, former Commissioner, NYC Dept. of Housing Preservation and Development; John Warren, First Deputy Commissioner, NYC Dept. of Housing Preservation and Development. The Emerson (known by residents at The Flats) was constructed in the Clinton section of Manhattan in 1915 as an example of the model tenement movement to provide safe and healthy apartments for families and the working poor. The extensive restoration preserved the buildings’ historical character and is now providing 33 apartments along with ground-floor space for community use. The Flats represented the vanguard of social progress at the beginning of the 20th century,” stated Joe Restuccia, Executive Director, Clinton Housing Development Company. “The renovation and preservation of this historic building renews that commitment. It demonstrates that with a combination of local initiative, a forward thinking city government, and public and private investment, historic preservation and the production of affordable housing are goals that can be mutually accomplished in the 21st century.” |
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| > The Guggenheim Museum manhattan, New York County |
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| The Awards Jury was particularly impressed with the extensive monitoring and documentation associated with the effort, including multiple peer-review meetings to refine the project scope and approach. Frank Lloyd Wright’s ‘Pantheon’ has emerged from its enclosure of scaffolding after three years and now displays the results of a technically and aesthetically outstanding restoration.
Contributing to the success of this project were the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation; Wank Adams Slavin Associates LLP (WASA/Studio A); Robert Silman Associates, PC; Integrated Conservation Resources; William B. Rose & Associates; AKF Engineers LLP; F. J. Sciame Construction Co. Inc.; Nicholson & Galloway, Inc.; Wright designed the building – his only major commission in New York – from 1943 through 1956. Built from 1956 through 1959, the Guggenheim was, when it opened, as much a marvel of construction as it was of design. “When the building opened in October 1959, six month’s after Wright’s death, it created a sensation; more than 16,000 people visited it on the first Sunday after it opened its doors,” said Richard Armstrong, Director of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation and Museum. Completed in 1959, the museum is considered one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpieces and an international icon of modern architecture. Like many modernist structures, the building is experimental in nature and had begun to exhibit multiple cracks and other signs of deterioration. According to Pamela Jerome, Partner in charge, WASA/Studio A, “Despite these issues, the fabric, once revealed under up to 11 layers of paint, was in remarkably good condition.” The restoration was initiated in 2003 when former Chairman of the Guggenheim Board of Trustees, Peter B. Lewis, pledged a significant gift to the project. “We are extremely grateful to Peter for providing the impetus and enabling this critical restoration,” said William Mack, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. “Peter’s commitment to the preservation of this architectural treasure and his history of support of the Guggenheim was an inspiration for which we are most grateful.” Mr. Mack continued, “We are also indebted to Mayor Bloomberg, the New York City Council, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, and Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate Levin for their very generous support. Significant grants from the State of New York, as well as many individual and corporate sponsors, also made this restoration a reality.” Mr. Lewis joined the board of the Guggenheim in 1993, and was Chairman from 1998 to 2005. “I have always considered this building to be the most important piece of art in the Guggenheim’s collection, and it has been a privilege to be part of its historic restoration.” |
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| > Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building Mineola, nassau County |
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| The restoration of the 1901 Old Nassau County Courthouse has transformed the building into the Nassau County Executive and Legislative offices. This stands out as one of the most extensive preservation projects ever undertaken on an early reinforced-concrete public building, and is the centerpiece of County Executive Tom Suozzi’s efforts to transform Nassau County into a model of smart growth and sustainable development.
Contributing to the success of this project were the County of Nassau; John G. Waite Associates Architects, PLLC; Robert Silman Associates, PC; Plus Group Consulting Engineering, PLLC; Greyhawk North America/Carter Burgess; Bovis Lend Lease; The Liro Group; M. A. Angeliades and Nassau First Corporation. Major funding was secured through a grant from the New York State Environmental Protection Fund. Then-Governor Theodore Roosevelt laid the cornerstone of what would become Nassau County’s first municipal building in 1900. Unfortunately, after years of neglect, the building fell into a terrible state of decay. Thomas R. Suozzi, Nassau County Executive said, “I am overjoyed to announce that not only has the historic restoration of the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building been completed, but the local civic pride has been equally restored.A restoration of this magnitude and quality is entirely deserving of the honor of being recognized by the Preservation League.” John G. Waite, FAIA said, “After his election in 2001 as the first Democratic County Executive in Nassau County since 1971, Tom Suozzi decided that the original but dilapidated Nassau County Courthouse would be restored as the center of county government.The restored building is now the centerpiece of his administration’s efforts to transform Nassau County into a model of smart growth and sustainable development.” |
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> The Fred L. Emerson Foundation and Foundation Historical Association cayuga county |
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| The Emerson Foundation is to be commended for its longstanding commitment to the stewardship of the William H. Seward House in Auburn and the resulting professionalism and high preservation standards at the museum. In addition to its stewardship of Seward House Museum, the Emerson Foundation has provided important support to the Aurora Free Library and Powers Library in Moravia, as well as the Fort Hill Cemetery, Cayuga County Museum of History and Art, and Friends of the Howland Stone Store. This impressive list of preservation success stories truly illustrates the Foundation’s commitment to protecting New York’s historic structures.
Contributing to the success of these organizations were Randall T. Crawford, AIA, Crawford & Stearns Preservation Architects; Daniel Labeille, former managing director of the Museum; Michael H. Long, a 27-year resident of Auburn who now serves as Administrator for the City of Poughkeepsie; and Foundation Historical Association Trustees Henry Jay Pearson III; David H. Stam, and Jill E. Franceschelli. The Emerson Foundation’s support for the Foundation Historical Association and the 1816-17 house, which served as the primary residence for William Henry Seward and his family, began with an initial appropriation of $25,000 nearly sixty years ago. Since 1951, the Emerson Foundation has invested over $7.5 million in Seward House for operations, capital projects, and an endowment for operating and preservation expenses. “In 1951, William Seward’s grandson left his family’s homestead to the Emerson Foundation with a request we operate the home as a public memorial to his father and grandfather. The Emerson Foundation has been distinctly privileged to support this effort – in cooperation with Foundation Historical Association – for almost sixty years. It is an honor to be recognized by the Preservation League of New York State for this important work,” stated Anthony D. Franceschelli, president of the Emerson Foundation. “Seward House has flourished under the stewardship of the Foundation Historical Association and with the support of the Fred L. Emerson Foundation,” added Peter Wisbey, executive director of the museum. “The Preservation League’s recognition is particularly timely given the renewed national interest in William Seward and his role in Abraham Lincoln’s cabinet and in the purchase of the Alaska Territory.” |
