Awards People

Recognizing the Importance of Historic Preservation in Boston

Boston – The historic Paramount Theater in Boston’s Historic Ladder Blocks District buzzed on a late October evening. Luminaries of Boston’s design, construction, and preservation communities gathered for the Boston Preservation Alliance’s Annual Preservation Achievement Awards to recognize 11 projects and Shawmut Design and Construction. The Alliance is Boston’s primary nonprofit advocacy organization that protects and promotes the use of historic buildings and landscapes throughout Boston. Nearly 100 corporate and 40 organizational members support the alliance.

The city of Boston’s Bruce C. Bolling Municipal Building in Roxbury demonstrates that investing in historic buildings can anchor neighborhood rejuvenation. This project also topped online voting for “Fan Favorite.” The Godfrey Hotel in the Historic Ladder Blocks shows economic success within historic building envelopes, maintaining neighborhoods uniqueness. Government investment in historic resources was clear, not only with the city’s Bolling project but with three restorations: the Soldier’s and Sailor’s Monument in Boston Common by the city; Boston Light by the U.S. Coast Guard; and the State House Executive offices by the commonwealth.

Preservation and affordable housing were exemplified by the Carleton, Cooper, and Walnut houses in Roxbury, a concept that will continue when the Community Preservation Act is passed in Boston. The preservation movement has grown beyond the expectation of many, highlighting Boston University’s successful remaking of its Brutalist Law School Tower and the innovative new life given a run-down Fenway motel, transformed into the eclectic Verb Hotel.

Awardees ran small to large from a carriage house, now private residence, in Dorchester to a decrepit wharf and industrial building now Converse’s headquarters in the North End and the historic Filene’s, restored and bringing life back to Downtown Crossing while anchoring the 60-story Millennium Tower.

Shawmut Design and Construction was presented the President’s Award for decades of work on the full spectrum of Boston historic icons, impacting the full breadth of the Boston experience to residents and visitors. The Ayer Mansion and Chi Phi fraternity received a new Stewardship recognition.

For more information visit www.bostonpreservation.org.