SWBR was recognized by the New York State American Institute of Architects (AIA) with a 2015 Excelsior Award for its work on DePaul Riverside Apartments. The project received honors for Historic Preservation. The Excelsior Awards honor the best examples of public architecture, focusing on neighborhood transformation, urban revitalization, site planning, exterior and interior design, and sustainability.
Riverside Apartments was also recognized at this year’s awards ceremony. Buffalo’s Riverside Academy closed in 2002, after more than 100 years of service. After almost a decade of neglect, the building needed substantial rehabilitation. DePaul chose to renovate the vacant four-story building into 68 affordable and supportive apartments with SWBR.
The project included restoration of the original brick façade, a new building entrance and lobby with new elevator and restoration of the grand stairway and new resident mailboxes clad in historic chalkboards. The auditorium was also restored for use by the building residents and the community.