BOSTON – The Boston Preservation Alliance, the nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting, promoting, and preserving Boston’s historic places, honored Larry Curtis and WinnCompanies with the 2019 President’s Award for Excellence, and Andrea Gilmore, former director of Building Conservation Associates (BCA), with the Codman Award for Lifetime Achievement at the 31st Annual Boston Preservation Alliance Awards.
Held on October 21st at the Revere Hotel in Boston, the Alliance also presented Preservation Achievement Awards to historic seven projects and granted the Stewardship Award to the Frederick Law Olmsted-designed Franklin Park. The Fan Favorite Award this year went to the refurbished State Senate Chamber. This was the largest and most successful awards event to-date for the Alliance, with over 400 registrants, 143 corporate sponsors, and over $400,000 raised.
Curtis and WinnCompanies were recognized for their work in developing over 400 multifamily properties nationwide, including over 140 properties in Massachusetts – many of which are historic mill buildings that have been adapted into affordable and market-rate housing in Gateway Cities. Curtis was also recognized for his tireless efforts in preserving the Federal Historic Tax Credit, which Congress attempted to eliminate during 2017 Tax Reform negotiations. Gilmore was recognized as a leader in the preservation community and an inspiration for women in preservation trades, and her contributions throughout her career will “leave a legacy through the places she’s preserved, the students she’s mentored, and the colleagues she’s inspired,” said Greg Galer, executive director of the Boston Preservation Alliance.
Governor Charlie Baker was on hand to congratulate the honorees, and said of Curtis, “I want to say on behalf of the Commonwealth how much we appreciate the work that Larry and the WinnCompanies have done to bring some of our greatest assets – these glorious mills in these glorious cities that were lost and forgotten – back to life. And for the people who live in those places, who live in those communities? There are a statement about positivity, opportunity, and hope. And they make a really big difference.” Galer added that Curtis’ efforts were invaluable in saving the Federal Historic Tax Credit – which created 2.5 million jobs, preserved over 44,000 historic buildings, and leveraged over $145 billion in private investment – from extinction. “Larry’s role in being able to speak to the power of the credit was so important,” said Galer. “I can say with certainty and from personal experience that without Larry’s (efforts), I’m not sure we’d still have the tax credit.”
Chris Scoville, board chair, and Regan Shields Ives, co-vice chair, presented the Preservation Achievement Awards to the multifaceted development teams responsible for the seven winning projects, taking turns narrating visual presentations for each project, and detailing how the restoration and construction of each came about. The 2019 Boston Preservation Alliance Awards winners are: 240A Newbury Street; 2101 Washington Street; Boston University Dahod Family Alumni Center; Boston Volvo; Fowler Clark Epstein Farm; Longfellow Bridge; Massachusetts Senate Chambers; and Franklin Park, winner of the 2019 Stewardship Recognition Award. A more detailed account of each can be found here:
