Lafayette Lofts in Buffalo to be Honored

Preservation League Announces Annual Awards

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ALBANY, NY (04/27/2015)(readMedia)-- The Preservation League of New York State has selected Lafayette Lofts in Buffalo to receive an award for Excellence in Historic Preservation.

The League's statewide awards program honors notable achievements in retaining, promoting and reusing New York State's irreplaceable architectural heritage.

"The Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church, built in 1895, was one of Buffalo's first 'suburban' churches," said Jay DiLorenzo, President of the Preservation League. "It was built on what was then the outskirts of the city, but is now in the Elmwood Village Historic District. Like so many churches across the country, this congregation struggled to keep their doors open and seek new ways to generate revenue. A creative approach kept the congregation in its home while allowing for revenue-generating rehabilitation. Plans were revised to secure approval of the National Park Service and eligibility for Rehabilitation Tax Credits. This adaptive reuse solution for the church complex incorporates 21 residential units, event spaces, meeting rooms, and Pre-K classrooms. This effort should serve as a model for church complexes around the country."

The project team included Port City Preservation of Syracuse; Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church; The Peyton Barlow Co., Inc.; Carmina Wood Morris Architects; Elmwood Village Association; and Evans Bank.

Built to the design of the architectural firm Lansing and Beierl of Buffalo, ground was broken for the church in November, 1894. The congregation chose Medina sandstone for the exterior walls of the church, the preferred building material for churches in the region at that time. The new church was large and spacious with many interior spaces designed to serve the needs of the church and community. Besides the large auditorium used for services, the church Chapel also housed a lecture room, which also functioned as a Sunday school room, a pastor's study and library. The basement of the building accessed via the Elmwood Avenue entryway housed a reception room and a parlor, as well as the church kitchen and a dining room.

"All the project partners thank the congregation for having the vision, courage and faith to take on such a monumental and challenging project," said Murray Gould of Port City Preservation.

The awards will be presented at the Preservation League's Awards Ceremony in New York City at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13th at the historic New York Yacht Club, 37 West 44th Street.

The complete list of award winners is: Daniel Conkling House – Rensselaerville, Albany County; Lafayette Lofts – Buffalo; The Tishman Building – Buffalo; DePaul Carriage Factory Apartments – Rochester; El Barrio's Artspace PS 109 - New York; Pier A Restoration and Adaptive Reuse - New York; Remington Lofts on the Canal - North Tonawanda, Niagara County; and Rye Meeting House: Sustainable Preservation, Ecology and Conservation – Westchester County.

"With our annual awards program, the Preservation League explores not just the present, but the future of historic preservation. Many of the 2015 award winners provide valuable examples for others by incorporating energy efficiency techniques, adaptive reuse strategies and Federal and State Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits," said DiLorenzo. "Each year, we are impressed by the number and variety of laudable nominations, and this year was no exception. We are delighted to celebrate the creation of the Lafayette Lofts and the revitalization of the Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church. We commend all members of the project team for their leadership and vision."

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The Preservation League's Excellence in Historic Preservation awards program is funded by a generous grant from the Arthur F. and Alice E. Adams Foundation.

The Preservation League of New York State invests in people and projects that champion the essential role of preservation in community revitalization, sustainable economic growth, and the protection of our historic buildings and landscapes. We lead advocacy, economic development, and education programs all across the state.