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Announcing the 2026 Preservation Awards Winners across Western New York!

Announcing the 2026 Preservation Awards Winners across Western New York!

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At Preservation Buffalo Niagara, we believe preservation is about far more than old buildings. It is about reinvestment. Community pride. Sustainability. Economic development. Neighborhood identity. And the bold belief that the places that define us are worth fighting for.

That is why we are thrilled to announce the 2026 Preservation Awards winners featuring ten extraordinary projects, organizations, and champions who are proving that preservation is alive and well across Western New York.

From adaptive reuse and neighborhood advocacy to extraordinary craftsmanship and community leadership, this year’s honorees reflect the many ways preservation strengthens our region.

We are also deeply grateful to our Robert T. Coles Sponsors, whose support helps make this celebration possible: BSK, Carmina Wood Design, Hodgson Russ, and Lawley Insurance.

Join us on Thursday, May 28 at the Richardson Olmsted Complex inside the ballroom as we celebrate these remarkable preservation success stories, meet the winners and learn more about their efforts! Get your tickets here.

2026 Preservation Award Winners

Best Commercial Project (Erie County)

The American Lofts at Silo City

One of Buffalo’s most iconic industrial landmarks has entered an exciting new chapter.

The transformation of the American Malt House complex at Silo City is a masterclass in adaptive reuse. Rather than erase Buffalo’s industrial legacy, this project embraced it—stabilizing a nationally significant structure while thoughtfully converting it into 168 workforce apartments with commercial and public space.

Preservation at this scale takes courage, creativity, and restraint. By retaining the authentic industrial character of the site while introducing new life and purpose, this project proves that Buffalo’s historic infrastructure can remain a powerful economic and cultural asset.

This incredible project was led by Paul Lang and his team at Carmina Wood Design. You can follow their work and progress here: https://www.carminawooddesign.com/

Best Commercial Project (Niagara County)

The Lockport Post Office

This is exactly the kind of downtown reinvestment preservation makes possible. Originally built in 1902, the historic Lockport Post Office has been meticulously rehabilitated into a vibrant mixed-use destination featuring office space, restored historic interiors, boutique retail, and Big Ditch Brewing.

This project demonstrates how historic tax credits and preservation-focused development can create real momentum in legacy downtowns. Saving historic buildings is not just about architecture. It is about creating places where communities gather, businesses thrive, and neighborhoods come back to life.

We are grateful to Iskalo Development and Big Ditch for tackling this enormous project! You can follow their work and progress here: https://www.buffalorising.com/2025/04/iskalo-and-big-ditch-make-big-impact-in-lockport/

Best Residential Restoration Project

The Adams-Albright-Archibald Tudor Mansion

Great preservation stewardship often happens quietly, one homeowner at a time.

This extraordinary restoration of 17 Tudor Place honors the layered history of one of Buffalo’s most architecturally significant residences. From its original Queen Anne origins to its Tudor Revival transformation, this home tells a fascinating story of adaptation across generations.

Thoughtful residential preservation like this ensures our historic neighborhoods retain the character, craftsmanship, and architectural richness that make Buffalo special.

Project: Tudor Place House
Interiors: John Lassila & Associates
Location: Buffalo, NY.

Legacy Business Award

Alden State Bank

The easiest path would have been new construction. Instead, Alden State Bank chose preservation.

By restoring its original 1925 home and bringing a long-vacant historic building back into active use, the bank reinforced the historic heart of the Village of Alden while proving that legacy institutions can honor their roots while serving modern needs. This is community stewardship at its best.

Neighborhood Preservation Award

McKinley Parkway Historic District

This was a game changer for Buffalo.

Now officially the largest historic district in New York State, the McKinley Parkway Historic District protects thousands of historic homes while unlocking access to homeowner historic tax credits for residents.

This effort was about much more than designation. It was about equity, neighborhood pride, and creating tools that help residents reinvest in their homes for generations to come.

Special thanks to the City of Buffalo for leading this charge with KTA.

Preservation Craft Award

800 W. Ferry Gargoyle Reconstruction

Preservation is often in the details.

This remarkable project brought a missing historic gargoyle back to life using traditional craftsmanship, sculpting, and innovative engineering solutions. The result is more than a restored ornament. It is a reminder that preservation craftsmanship matters, and that architectural character is worth the care required to protect it.

This meticulous project was led by Casey Bolles, from Buffalo Plaster Casting.

Preservation Leadership Award

East Side Parkways Coalition

Preservation leadership is not always about buildings.

Sometimes, it is about landscapes, justice, and reconnecting communities. The East Side Parkways Coalition has become a powerful voice advocating for the restoration of Buffalo’s historic Olmsted parkway system and confronting the lasting impacts of infrastructure decisions that divided neighborhoods.

Their work reminds us that preservation can also be a tool for healing.

Unique Preservation Project (Erie County)

USS The Sullivans

Some places tell our civic story in extraordinary ways. The USS The Sullivans is one of Western New York’s most important historic assets, preserving a tangible connection to military history, sacrifice, and public memory.

When the boat began to sink, the community and its caretakers stepped in to save it which was a huge lift! Keeping this ship accessible to future generations is preservation in its most public and powerful form.

Unique Preservation Project (Niagara County)

Forsyth Tavern

Built in 1805, the Forsyth Tavern offers an extraordinarily rare window into Western New York’s frontier history. Through stabilization, archaeological work, and thoughtful interpretation, this project has preserved not only a building, but an early chapter of our region’s story.

Preservation allows us to experience history in ways textbooks never can. We are grateful to the tavern team for leading this effort and being an excellent steward.

 

Preservation Heroes Award

Buffalo Fire Department

When disaster struck the Guaranty Building, Buffalo firefighters stepped into action to protect one of our city’s most iconic architectural treasures.

While there was a building lost in the process, without a doubt, their efforts helped save a National Historic Landmark and reminded us that preservation often depends on brave people making split-second decisions in extraordinary circumstances.

For that, Buffalo owes them its gratitude.

Celebrate With Us!

The Preservation Awards are more than a ceremony. They are a celebration of the people choosing to reinvest in Western New York’s future through preservation.

Join us on May 28 at the Richardson Complex ballroom for an unforgettable evening featuring open bar, appetizers, dinner, and inspiring stories of preservation success.

Every ticket supports Preservation Buffalo Niagara’s advocacy, education, and preservation work across the region.

Get your tickets today: Preservation Awards Event Page

Heritage Tourism: One of Buffalo’s Strongest Economic Drivers

Buffalo’s history is not just something we preserve. It is something people come here to experience! Across the country, cities are trying to figure out what makes them stand out. In Buffalo, we already know the answer. It is our architecture, our neighborhoods, and our stories. Together, they create a powerful and growing part of our local economy called heritage tourism.

Why Visitors Come to Buffalo
According to data from Visit Buffalo Niagara and the “Everyone’s Heritage” report from Preservation Buffalo Niagara, 13.4% of visitors come to Buffalo specifically for our history and architecture. That is a big deal!

These visitors are not just stopping by for a quick visit. Heritage tourists tend to stay longer, spend more money, and explore more of the city. They visit multiple neighborhoods, support local restaurants and shops, and engage deeply with what Buffalo has to offer. They are choosing Buffalo because of what makes it unique.

A $658 Million Impact

The numbers speak for themselves. Heritage tourism generates more than $658 million in local spending every year in Buffalo.

That supports:

  • 6,000 direct jobs
  • 2,100 indirect jobs

These are real jobs right here in our community. From hospitality workers to contractors to small business owners, preservation is helping to support livelihoods across the city. This is not a small piece of the economy. It is a major driver!

You Cannot Replicate Buffalo!
What makes Buffalo special cannot be copied somewhere else.

From iconic landmarks like the Guaranty Building to entire historic neighborhoods, our built environment tells a story that people want to experience in person.

Once a historic building is gone, it is gone. You cannot recreate it. You cannot replace it. And you cannot attract visitors with something that no longer exists. That is why preservation matters so much.

Preservation Drives Economic Activity
Preservation is not just about looking back. It is about moving forward.
When historic buildings are restored and reused, they become places people want to visit. They attract new businesses. They create walkable neighborhoods. They bring energy back to areas that have been overlooked.

This is exactly what heritage tourists are looking for. And it is exactly what Buffalo already has!

You can read more about how preservation drives economic activity in the Place Economics study, Everyone’s Heritage: The Impacts Of Historic Preservation In Buffalo. 

What’s at Stake

Every time we lose a historic building, we lose more than bricks and mortar. We lose part of what makes Buffalo, Buffalo. We lose stories, character, and economic opportunity. Heritage tourism depends on authenticity. It depends on real places with real history. Without preservation, that foundation starts to disappear.

Moving Forward

Buffalo has an incredible opportunity to keep growing this part of our economy. But it requires intention.

We need to:
  • Protect historic buildings through local landmark designation
  • Support rehabilitation through historic tax credits
  • Invest in stabilization to prevent demolition
  • Continue promoting our neighborhoods as destinations

At Preservation Buffalo Niagara, we see heritage tourism as a direct result of preservation work happening every day across the city. When we preserve our buildings, we are not just saving history.

-We are supporting jobs.
-We are driving investment.
-And we are building a stronger Buffalo!

Become a member of Preservation Buffalo Niagara today and be part of protecting the places that make Buffalo unique.

To read more about Historic Preservation as an economic driver, please click HERE.

May Is Historic Preservation Month!

May is Preservation Month, and at Preservation Buffalo Niagara, it is one of our favorite times of the year because it gives us the opportunity to celebrate not only the buildings we love, but the people, neighborhoods, and stories that make Buffalo and Niagara such special places to live.
Preservation is often thought of as something tied only to the past, but for us, it is very much about the present and the future. It is about helping neighborhoods remain strong, making reinvestment possible, and ensuring that the places that define our communities continue to serve the people who live in them today.

This May, we have a full calendar of events that bring people closer to that work. From our Guaranty Building Tours to Jane’s Walk at 72 Sycamore, to the Preservation Awards and other special programs throughout the month, Preservation Month is our chance to open doors, tell stories, and invite people to experience preservation firsthand. These events are always some of our favorites because they remind us how many people care deeply about this city and want to be part of shaping its future.

For our members, many of these events come with discounted pricing, which is just one of the many ways membership helps connect people more directly to our work. But whether you are a longtime member or someone just learning about PBN for the first time, Preservation Month is a great reminder that preservation is happening every single day, far beyond tours and events. Calendar – Preservation Buffalo Niagara

Every week, we work with homeowners trying to navigate Historic Tax Credit applications, business owners looking to restore a commercial storefront, churches searching for a path forward for a historic campus, and neighborhoods fighting for Local Landmark designation. We help connect people to contractors, guide them through project planning, and advocate for buildings that might otherwise be lost. Sometimes that work is highly visible, and sometimes it happens quietly behind the scenes, but it is all part of making preservation practical and accessible.
Historic Tax Credits – Preservation Buffalo Niagara

Advocacy is also a major part of what we do. Right now, we are actively pushing for two important preservation bills in New York State: the White Elephant bill and the return of the refundable Historic Tax Credit for homeowners. These tools matter because they help make preservation financially possible. Too often, we see historic buildings threatened not because people do not care, but because the numbers simply do not work. Strong policy can change that. It can mean the difference between demolition and rehabilitation, between vacancy and investment.
Revitalizing New York’s Largest Historic Landmarks: Why the White Elephant Tax Credit Matters – Preservation Buffalo Niagara

We are also seeing the long-term impact of this work across Buffalo. With the recent addition of the South Buffalo historic district, more than 60,000 residents now live within local and national historic districts in the city. That is significant because historic districts do more than recognize architectural character. They help stabilize neighborhoods, protect property values, encourage reinvestment, and create stronger places for people to live. Preservation is not just about protecting beautiful buildings. It is about supporting the economic and social health of entire communities.

One thing we are especially proud of at PBN is that 92 cents of every dollar donated goes directly into the work itself. That means supporting projects, helping neighborhoods, advocating for policy, and creating real outcomes for the people and places we serve. It is important to us that when people invest in preservation, they know that their investment is making a direct impact.

As we head into Preservation Month, we hope you will join us. Come to a tour, attend an event, celebrate at the Preservation Awards, or simply reach out if you have a project you are trying to move forward. This work belongs to all of us, and every person who gets involved helps make preservation stronger. Buffalo’s future depends on the choices we make today. Preservation is one of the best tools we have to shape that future thoughtfully, sustainably, and with respect for the communities that already exist here.

If you believe in that work, we hope you will become a member of Preservation Buffalo Niagara and help us keep building that future together.
Membership – Preservation Buffalo Niagara

Fire Prevention in Historic Buildings: Preparation Saves Places

Historic buildings are remarkably resilient—but when it comes to fire, even the strongest structures are vulnerable. Across Buffalo and beyond, we’ve seen how quickly a fire can threaten not just a building, but the history and identity tied to it. The reality is simple: fire prevention and preparedness are some of the most effective preservation tools we have.

Start with a Simple Question: Do You Have a Plan?
If a fire broke out in your building today, would you know what to do?
For many property owners, the answer is unclear. A basic fire response plan doesn’t need to be complicated, but it does need to exist. Staff, tenants, and occupants should know:

  • Where exits are located
  • How to safely evacuate
  • Who to contact in an emergency
  • Where fire suppression tools are located
Preparedness is about seconds—and seconds matter.

The Basics: Small Tools, Big Impact

Too often, we focus on large-scale solutions and overlook the simplest ones. Every historic building—whether occupied, partially vacant, or under renovation—should have:

  • Working smoke detectors installed and regularly checked
  • Fire extinguishers placed in accessible, visible locations
  • Clear access points for emergency responders
Fire extinguishers, in particular, are one of the most effective first lines of defense. A small, contained fire can often be stopped before it becomes catastrophic—but only if the right tools are within reach.
Every office needs more than one.

A Close Call in Buffalo

Last year, the Guaranty Building came dangerously close to being lost due to a fire in an adjacent building. Thanks to the rapid response of Buffalo firefighters, the building was saved.

But the outcome could have been very different.
That moment serves as a reminder: even buildings that are well-maintained and occupied are at risk from external factors. Fire doesn’t respect property lines.

Prevention is Preservation

At Preservation Buffalo Niagara, we often talk about stabilization, rehabilitation, and reuse—but prevention is just as critical.
Simple, proactive steps can mean the difference between:

  • A close call and a total loss
  • A repair and a demolition
  • A saved landmark and a vacant lot
Historic buildings cannot be replaced once they are gone. But many fires can be prevented—or contained—through preparation and awareness.

Take Action Today

We encourage all property owners, tenants, and building managers to take a few immediate steps:

  • Check your smoke detectors
  • Confirm you have accessible fire extinguishers (and know how to use them)
  • Walk through your building and identify exits and risks
  • Develop a basic emergency plan
These are small actions with enormous impact. Because in preservation, the goal isn’t just to save buildings after something goes wrong—it’s to make sure we never get there in the first place.