We are excited to celebrate the people behind this year’s most inspiring preservation projects at the 2025 Preservation Awards. Join us on Thursday, May 29, 2025, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at The Caz (2221 Seneca Street) to celebrate the region’s most impactful preservation projects at Preservation Buffalo Niagara’s largest fundraiser of the year.
Please note: The Caz will stay open until 8:30 PM for the Afterparty! Enjoy great company and live music for an extra hour — Thank you, Jake!!
For more information on the Preservation Awards, please click here.
To purchase tickets for the Preservation Awards, please click here.
Reviving a Hamlin Park Gem: A Story of the Beautiful Beverly
Nestled in Buffalo’s historic Hamlin Park neighborhood, this home stands as a testament to resilience, preservation, and a deep commitment to architectural heritage. Purchased as a fixer-upper in the summer of 2022, the house came with its fair share of challenges—worn floors, painted-over wood trim, and deteriorating plaster. However, the Christmas Blizzard of 2022 brought a far greater test of perseverance.
In addition to the blizzard’s immediate damages, hidden structural issues soon came to light—unsupported beams, a leaking roof (marketed as new but far from it), and makeshift plumbing that required urgent intervention. Despite these setbacks, the homeowners, Saira Siddiqui and Matthew Felski, remained committed to preserving their home’s historic character while ensuring modern functionality.
Working closely with a contractor specializing in historic restoration and the New York State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), they undertook a series of critical improvements:
- Energy Efficiency: Installed a high-efficiency furnace and replaced basement windows to reduce energy costs while maintaining the home’s historic charm.
- Flooring Restoration: Stripped away decades of vinyl to reveal original oak flooring on the staircase and second floor, while adding new hardwood where needed.
- Custom Craftsmanship: Designed and installed custom tilework for the entryways, blending historic style with modern durability.
- Woodwork Revival: Painstakingly stripped paint from trim work in three upstairs rooms, revealing and restoring the original wood to its former glory.
- Structural Integrity: Completed a full roof replacement, reinforced structural supports, and executed a complete tear-off and restoration of the front porch, ensuring it met historic preservation standards.
A note from Saira Siddiqui: – I need to give a shout-out to Francis Stern at SHPO, who was so patient with us and answered SO MANY of my questions over the years. She saw the project before the blizzard and has always made it easy for us to utilize tax credit resources.
For their remarkable dedication to preserving a piece of Western New York’s history in the face of adversity, we proudly present this family with the 2025 Preservation Award for Residential Project.
“Congratulations to Saira Siddiqui and Matthew Felski, Co-Owners, for transforming a disaster into a triumph, proving that even the toughest challenges can lead to lasting beauty and historic preservation. We are so proud of the work you both have done on the Beautiful Beverly!” – Emily Jarnot, Preservation Planner, Preservation Buffalo Niagara
