One NYC Organization, Two Projects Win Statewide Preservation Award

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New York City Hall Exterior - John Bartelstone

• Donald Judd Home & Studie - (c) James Ewing Photography

ALBANY, NY (04/30/2014)(readMedia)-- The Preservation League of New York State has selected two projects and a not-for-profit organization in New York to receive its prestigious Excellence in Historic Preservation Award. This statewide awards program honors notable achievements in retaining, promoting and reusing New York State's irreplaceable architectural heritage.

"These projects illustrate the broad range of preservation efforts in New York State," said Jay DiLorenzo, president of the Preservation League. "From a formerly all-volunteer group that got its start supporting arts and culture through St. Marks Church-in-the-Bowery, to the restoration and interpretation of a contemporary artist's live-work space in SoHo, to the most monumental of projects, the restoration of New York's City Hall, these award winners demonstrate that significant benefits accrue to those communities that invest in their historic resources. We commend them all for their efforts."

Donald Judd Home & Studio, Lower Manhattan

Built in 1870 and designed by Nicholas Whyte, the 5-story cast iron building in SoHo was purchased by the artist Donald Judd nearly a century later, in 1968. In addition to a painstaking restoration of the building's exterior, the interior has been very carefully restored to the period when Judd lived and worked there. The project team's efforts to deliver greater public accessibility while respecting the building's historic, artistic and cultural significance are commendable.

Contributing to the success of this project were Owner: The Judd Foundation, New York; Architect: Architecture Research Office; Exterior Restoration: Walter Melvin Architects; M/E/P Consultants: ARUP, New York; Structural Engineers: Robert Silman Associates, New York; and Construction Manager: F. J. Sciame, New York.

"The restoration of 101 Spring Street was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to the preserve the authentic experience of this special place," said Adam Yarinsky, FAIA, LEED AP, Architecture Research Office. "In deference to Donald Judd's intentions, our primary goal was to efface the considerable effort required to realize this project. We are gratified to receive this award on behalf of our extraordinary team of collaborators."

New York City Hall

Designed by John McComb and Joseph Francois Mangin, New York City Hall was built from 1803-1812 and has remained in continuous use since it opened. Well-intentioned but poorly-executed alterations over the years had compromised the historic integrity as well as the stability of the building. The restoration of public spaces, including the City Council Chamber, has restored a degree of grandeur for elected officials, staff and visitors alike. The project leaders placed a high value on the building's history while bringing it up to modern standards and maintaining exemplary standards for historic preservation.

Contributing to the success of this project were Architect: Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners; Client: City of New York, Department of Design and Construction; Structural Engineer: Robert Silman Associates, New York; MEP/FP/IT Engineer: Lakhani & Jordan Engineers, New York; Code/Life Safety: Rolf Jensen & Associates, New York; Lighting Designer: Susan Brady Lighting Studio, New York; Audiovisual Consultant: Acoustic Dimensions, New Rochelle; Vertical Transportation: Jenkins & Huntington, Avon, CT; Architectural Conservator: Jablonski Building Conservation, Inc.; Archaeological Consultant: Chrysalis Archeological Consultants, Brooklyn; Sustainability Consultant, YR&G, New York; Cost Estimating: Stuart Lynn Company, New York; Construction Manager: Hill International, New York; Phase 1 – Excavation & Foundations: Rockmore Contracting Corporation, New York; Phase 2 – Infrastructure & Interior Improvements: Plaza Construction, New York; Phase 3 – Roofing & Exterior Shell: Adams European Contracting, Brooklyn; Plaster Repair & Decorative Painting: Strauss Painting, Inc., New York; Plaster Repair: Evergreene Architectural Arts, New York; Wood Restoration: Premier Restoration, New York; Architectural Woodwork: Midhattan Woodwork, Old Bridge, NJ; Stone Restoration: A. Otttavino Corporation, Jamaica, NY.

According to Richard W. Southwick, FAIA, Partner, Director of Historic Preservation Beyer Blinder Belle, "New York City Hall has endured for over two hundred years. Beyer Blinder Belle is especially honored to have led the first significant renovation of this structure in 70 years. With the assistance of an incredibly talented team of designers and builders, we have both introduced 21st-century technology and corrected chronic 19th-century deficiencies with the lightest touch possible to restore the grandeur and historic integrity to this important civic landmark."

St. Mark's Historic Landmark Fund

Since its founding in 1975, the organization (first known as Friends of St. Mark's) has literally brought two buildings back from the ashes. But in addition to saving and preserving historic St. Mark's Church-in-the-Bowery, and the 1901 Rectory designed by Ernest Flagg, St. Mark's Historic Landmark Fund has provided an essential community resource. With the opening of the Neighborhood Preservation Center in the restored Rectory in 1999, the group has brought together preservation groups from around New York City, New York State, and beyond. The Fund's Neighborhood Preservation Center provides support and meeting space to both fledgling and established preservation organizations.

"It is an honor to receive this tribute," said Felicia Mayro, Director. "Today, to be working with so many dedicated to the celebration and preservation of place is the very core of the history of the Landmark Fund's work."

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 14th at the historic New York Yacht Club, 37 West 44th Street.

The complete list of award winners is: Altamont Free Library Train Station Renovation, Altamont; Academy Lofts, Albany; Williamsburgh Savings Bank, Brooklyn; Holy Rosary Apartments, Rochester; New York City Hall Renovation, New York; Donald Judd Home & Studio, New York; and Warburton Lofts at Philipse Manor Hall Historic District, Yonkers. St. Mark's Historic Landmark Fund in New York will be honored for Organizational Excellence.

"As we mark our 40th Anniversary in 2014, the Preservation League is looking forward to exploring not just the past, but the future of historic preservation. Many of the 2014 award winners provide valuable examples for other practitioners 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 restoration of the Donald Judd Home & Studio, the renovation of New York City Hall, and mark the 35th Anniversary of St. Mark's Historic Landmark Fund by giving these very different yet admirable preservation efforts the statewide recognition they deserve."

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.

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HONOREE CONTACTS

For Donald Judd Home & Studio

Jennifer Wachtel, Architecture Research Office

212-675-1870; jwachtel@aro.net

For New York City Hall

Christina Mathews, Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners

617-899-0517; cmathews@bbbarch.com

For St. Mark's Historic Landmark Fund

Felicia Mayro, Director

212-228-2781; fmayro@neighborhoodpreservationcenter.org