Preservation Connecticut is proud to announce its Awards for 2023. Preservation stories often tell of threats and losses, so it is heartening to turn instead to stories of accomplishment and creativity. These awards tell stories of rejuvenated places where we can work or play, govern our communities, or create. They tell stories of places that provide shelter, conserve resources, and remind us of who we are and where we come from. They tell stories of places whose rejuvenated past can contribute to a richer future.

We are honored to recognize individual projects, long-term contributions, and professional achievements that demonstrate the many ways historic places contribute to the life and vitality of Connecticut communities. The awards will be presented at a ceremony on May 4 at the New Haven Country Club.

Harlan H. Griswold Award for Historic Preservation: JARED I. EDWARDS, FAIA

Presented jointly by Preservation Connecticut and the State Historic Preservation Office, the Harlan Griswold Award honors outstanding contributions to the preservation and revitalization of Connecticut’s historic places. Through his professional accomplishments as an architect and his personal leadership with organizations at the local, state, regional, and national levels, Jared I. Edwards has devoted much of his life to infusing communities he engages, with a lasting preservation ethic. From architectural projects that proved historic buildings could be not only repurposed, but also reimagined with more dynamic spaces; to gentle redirection of local and municipal boards; and serendipitous meetings resulting in lists of Hartford’s ten most important buildings, Jared finds a way to convince people that preservation is worthwhile. Following retirement from his architectural practice, Jared has continued to serve in volunteer capacity, shaping the way preservation is done in Connecticut and giving us all a good history lesson.

AWARDS OF MERIT

Captain Mordecai Prindle house, Ansonia

Since 2020 Daniel Bosques has dedicated his time, talents, and resources to restoring the Mordecai Prindle house’s, recreating some original features and keeping others that reflect changes over time. It is particularly notable that Daniel has done most of the labor himself, while raising a young family and working full-time, gaining construction skills on the job.

Project team: Daniel L. Bosques; Regina Cahill Poole; Tom M. Nedweden; The Old Lyme Barn Company

Bristol Arts and Innovation Magnet School

When the City of Bristol conceived a new intra-district magnet school, the Memorial Boulevard School, built  in 1923 and listed on the National Register, was an ideal location. Community input helped shape the decision to offer educational opportunities for the 21st century while revitalization of a significant building returned a cherished emblem of Bristol’s past to its former prominence.

Project team: City of Bristol: Mayor, Building Committee, Board of Education; QA+M Architecture; State Office of School Construction; State Historic Preservation Office; D’Amato + Downes Joint Venture; Eagle Environmental; Loureiro Engineering Associates, Inc.; Clarence Welti Associates, Inc.; VanZelm Engineers; RZ Design Associates; TO Design @ FHI Studio; Alfred Benesch & Co; Akustiks; Guillen Technology Consultants; Crabtree McGrath Associates, Inc.; NextStage Design; Terrence Marselle Photographer; Kevin Tarallo Photographer

99 Pratt Street, Hartford

Built in 1928, the Steiger Building stands at one end of Pratt Street in downtown Hartford. Originally a department store, the building has been rehabbed to create 97 apartments plus retail space. Now it is helping draw people back to the corridor, serving as a catalyst for renewed economic vibrancy.

Project team: SGS 99 Pratt, LLC: Lexington Partners, LLC & Shelbourne Global Solutions, LLC; Crosskey Architects, LLC; BSC Group; Redfern Engineering, LLC; Acorn Consulting Engineers; InnoConn; Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office; National Park Service

Hotel Marcel, New Haven

The eye-catching Armstrong Rubber Company building, designed by Marcel Breuer, has been transformed into a model for sustainable development as Hotel Marcel—the country’s first net-zero hotel. The project also met standards for federal and state historic rehabilitation tax credits, proving once and for all that historic buildings can be sustainable, too.

Project team: Adler Industrial Cleaning Services; Advanced Performance Glass; American Floor Covering, Inc.; Apex Tile, LLC; Atlas Metal Works, LLC; Becker & Becker Associates, Inc.; Blades & Goven, LLC; Canoe Hospitality; Central Connecticut Acoustics, Inc.; Clancy Relocation & Logistics; Commercial Flooring Concepts; Construction Specialties of New England; Crest Mechanical Services; Dutch East Design, Inc.; Eagle Fence and Guardrail Construction, Inc.; Earthlight Solar & Energy Solutions; Eastern Mechanical Services, Inc.; EcoLogic Energy Solutions; Evergreen Environments LLC; Everlast Industrial Flooring; Firetech Engineered Systems; GESI Hospitality; GNCB Consulting Engineers, P.C.; Hoffmann Architects, Inc.; Kelley Bros.; KLAR Studio; Windows & Doors; Kone Americas; L.N. Consulting Inc.; Langan Engineering; Mackenzie Painting Company; MacRostie Historic Advisors LLC; Mars Electrical Contractors, LLC; Mid-State Mason Contractors, Inc.; Millwork One Inc.; Mizzy Construction, Inc.; New England Yankee Construction, LLC; OFS Corporation; PowerShades; Professional Drywall Construction (PDC); Riggs Contracting, Inc.; Roberge Painting Co.; Phil Sherman – Code Consultant; Silktown Roofing, Inc.; Sinclair Digital, LLC; Sound Mechanical; Stanley Weisen, Inc. (SWI Glass); Steven Winter Associates, Inc.; Stonehedge Landscaping and Garden Center; The Trinity Construction Group, LLC; vanZelm Heywood & Shadford, Inc.; Willco Sales & Services, Inc.

New London City Hall City Council Chamber

The richly decorated City Council Chamber of New London’s City Hall has been carefully restored. Artists conserved the ceiling, walls, entablature and columns, then reinstated the historic color scheme and treatments, which included metallic and Greek ornamentation, through stenciling, infilling, and gold leaf application. The restored Chamber provides an affirmation of the dignity of local government.

Project team: City of New London; John Canning & Co., Ltd.; Valley Restoration, LLC; Tom Bombria

Shirt Factory Lofts, Norwalk

In 1922, the Le Roy Shirt Company factory was a vibrant part of Norwalk’s garment industry. The building now houses four commercial units plus sixteen apartments. Located in a rapidly growing district within walking distance of the South Norwalk railroad station, it provides a valuable example of historic precedents for transit-oriented development.

Project team: Raymond Brown Associates; Beinfield Architecture; Spinnaker Real Estate Partners; Heritage Resources

Old Mill Grocery and Deli, Westport

Constructed in 1919, the Old Mill Store was the oldest continuously operating grocery in Westport and a beloved community gathering place. But when the store was put up for sale in 2021, it seemed fated to be a teardown. Five Westport residents established the nonprofit Soundview Empowerment Alliance, raised the purchase price, and reopened the store. Today, it continues as a community hub, and provides needed jobs.

Project team: Soundview Empowerment Alliance, Inc. (SEA); founding members: Thomas Febbraio, Jim Hood, Christopher Tait, Ian Warburg

Established by special act of the Connecticut General Assembly in 1975, Preservation Connecticut works with local preservation groups and individuals as well as statewide organizations to preserve, protect, and promote the buildings, sites, and landscapes that contribute to the heritage and vitality of Connecticut communities.

For more information, visit PreservationCT.org or contact Christopher Wigren at 203.562.6312 or cwigren@preservationct.org