Niagara Mohawk Building Restoration Wins Statewide Preservation Award

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The Niagara Mohawk Building in Syracuse

ALBANY, NY (05/04/2012)(readMedia)-- The Preservation League of New York State has selected the Niagara Mohawk Building in Syracuse 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 Niagara Mohawk Building is an unparalleled example of commercial Art Deco architecture, and is iconic at the local, regional and national levels. As is so often the case, however, years of deferred maintenance, inappropriate alterations and poor workmanship had taken their toll," said Jay DiLorenzo, President of the Preservation League. "The building envelope restoration has returned this "Cathedral of Light" to its former grandeur, and is an outstanding example of twentieth-century materials conservation, repair and restoration."

Contributing to the success of this project were Klepper Hahn & Hyatt, of East Syracuse; Crawford & Stearns; LeChase Construction; and Josall Roofing; all of Syracuse; Raymond E. Kelley, Masonry Contractor, Bowmansville; Ajay Glass Co., Canandaigua; and building owner National Grid.

The NiMo Building was constructed in 1931-32 to the design of two prominent architectural firms of the day, Melvin L. King of Syracuse and Bley and Lyman of Buffalo. It is notable for its innovative design and massing, inventive use of materials such as cast stone, terra cotta, aluminum cladding, Vitrolite black glass, neon/helium exterior lighting, and its overall futuristic appearance.

According to Rich Applebaum of Klepper Hahn & Hyatt, "The exterior envelope restoration of this significant Art Deco building was realized through the concerns and interests of the owner, the expertise of the design team, and the reliability and workmanship of the contractors. As a team, we were all dedicated to restoring and preserving this beautiful landmark in a manner that respected the original materials and elements."

The awards will be presented at the Preservation League's Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony in New York City at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 16th at the historic New York Yacht Club, 37 West 44th Street.

The complete list of award winners is: the Albany County Courthouse, Albany County; Annex Mills at High Falls, Monroe County; The Eastman Theatre, Monroe County; Amsterdam Armory, Montgomery County; Hamilton Grange National Memorial, New York County; Niagara Mohawk Building, Onondaga County; TWA Flight Center, JFK International Airport, Queens County; Christ Church Bronxville, Westchester County. The organizers of the 2011 National Preservation Conference in Buffalo will receive a special citation. "Build a Better Burb," a project of the Rauch Foundation in Nassau and Suffolk Counties will be honored as an outstanding publication. Corning Enterprises in Steuben County will be honored for organizational excellence.

"In New York State, the preservation and reuse of our historic buildings is fundamental to the economic revitalization of our cities, towns, and villages. The League's annual Awards program allows us to share preservation success stories that may one day serve as inspiration to others," 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 Niagara Mohawk building, and to commend current owners, National Grid for their stewardship."

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.

By leading a statewide preservation movement, sharing information and expertise and raising a unified voice, the Preservation League of New York State promotes historic preservation as a tool to revitalize our neighborhoods and communities, honor our heritage and enrich our lives.

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Additional Contact:

Rich Appelbaum, Klepper Hahn & Hyatt

315-446-9201; RLA@khhpc.com