FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SCHENECTADY, NY, 07/07/26 — Elmer Gardens has received a 2026 Excellence in Historic Preservation Award from the Preservation League of NYS. Since 1984, the League’s annual Excellence Awards program has shined a light on the people who make positive change through preservation — including exemplary restoration projects, indispensable publications, individual action, and organizational distinction. This year’s Award winners will be recognized at a public reception in NYC on Monday, September 28. Event details can be found here: preservenys.org/excellence
“It is an honor to have Elmer Gardens recognized by the Preservation League,” said Megan Houppert, Chief Executive Officer of Home Leasing. “This achievement reflects the dedication of so many partners who believed this historic landmark deserved a future and demonstrates what is possible when a community comes together around a shared vision. We proudly share this recognition with the countless individuals and stakeholders whose commitment to preserving the Elmer Avenue School made its transformation into a vibrant community asset possible once again.”
“Elmer Gardens is more than a beautiful building — it is the centerpiece of this neighborhood and a catalyst for the preservation and revitalization work still ahead,” said Matthew Nelson, Chief Executive Office of Better Community Neighborhoods, Inc. “BCNi is proud to have helped bring this landmark back to life for the community it has served for over a century.”
“Elmer Gardens stands as a model for preservation-led redevelopment across New York State,” said Ray Gillen, Chair of Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority. “It protects a cherished historic landmark, reinvests in a city neighborhood, and delivers critically needed affordable and supportive housing for seniors.”
Elmer Gardens is a model for an adaptive reuse project that demonstrates how historic buildings can be thoughtfully rehabilitated, protected, and reactivated to serve everyday community needs. The project transformed the former Elmer Avenue School, an architecturally significant 1905 Neoclassical structure, into a vibrant residential community for older adults, ensuring the long-term preservation of a landmark that has anchored its neighborhood for more than a century. The former elementary school represents a building type increasingly at risk across New York State: early twentieth-century neighborhood schools constructed with durable materials, strong civic design, and deep community meaning, yet often difficult to reuse due to their size, layout, and aging infrastructure. Prior to redevelopment, the building faced the prospect of continued vacancy and deterioration.
Elmer Gardens highlights an often-overlooked history: the enduring civic importance of neighborhood schools as architectural and social landmarks. Through sensitive rehabilitation, adaptive reuse, and long-term stewardship, the project honors this legacy while redefining its purpose for the twenty-first century. As an example of preservation-led redevelopment that balances architectural integrity, sustainability, and community benefit, Elmer Gardens makes a meaningful contribution to the field of historic preservation and serves as a model for communities across New York State.
The historic Elmer Avenue School consists of a four-story masonry building constructed in 1905 and a two-story rear wing completed in 1968. Through adaptive reuse, the property has been transformed into 51 all-electric apartment homes, including 8 studios, 40 one-bedroom units, and 3 two-bedroom units. Several apartments have been designed to accommodate residents with mobility impairment and those with hearing or visual impairments. Twenty-six units are integrated throughout the building for frail seniors receiving supportive services from Schenectady Community Action Program (SCAP). The rehabilitation also introduced a new central stair tower and elevator and created shared amenities for residents, including a community room, fitness room, dog washing station, bike storage, laundry rooms, and trash rooms on each floor.
The rehabilitation prioritized the preservation of the building’s historic character by retaining as much of its original fabric, layout, and architectural features as possible. The wide central corridors, once serving classrooms, continue to function as the primary circulation spine for the apartments. The former auditorium was preserved and adapted into a community room, maintaining its role as a gathering space. At the primary entrance, the original arched wood transom and historic fanlight transoms around the original building were carefully restored, while replacement windows were designed to match the original profiles and appearance.
Historic interior finished and features were thoughtfully incorporated into the new residential design. Original terrazzo flooring was retained and repaired, as was the existing hardwood flooring in the former combined gymnasium/cafeteria space. Classroom built-in cabinetry, chalkboard, and associated millwork were preserved and integrated into individual apartments, allowing residents to enjoy tangible connections to the building’s educational past. These efforts ensure that the Elmer Avenue School continues to serve the community while honoring its history.
Project team included: Owner/Developer/Property Manager – Home Leasing; Co-Owner – Better Community Neighborhoods, Inc. (BCNI); General Contractor – Home Leasing Construction; Architect – SWBR; Preservation Consultant – Preservation Studios; Green/Energy Consultant – Sustainable Comfort; Civil Engineer – Lansing Engineering; Environmental Consultant – LaBella Associates; Syndicator – RedStone Equity Parters; Construction Lender – KeyBank; Perm Lender – The Community Preservation Corporation
Project funding included: Elmer Gardens is supported by New York State Homes and Community Renewal’s (HCR) state and federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Programs that will generate more than $10.2 million in equity and $4.7 million in subsidy. These resources are leveraged by Federal and State Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits as well as solar credits, $200,000 in funds from Schenectady County and $236,000 of City of Schenectady HOME Funds through BCNI. The project benefits from a NYSERDA award of $204,000. The Community Preservation Corporation, a nonprofit multifamily finance company, is providing a SONYMA-insured $1,300,000 permanent loan to support the project.
“This year’s Excellence Award winners truly represent what historic preservation is today,” said Preservation League President Jay DiLorenzo. “Our winners span the state from the urban centers of Buffalo and New York City to the rural communities of the Adirondacks. There are adaptive reuse projects, groups that have demonstrated long term stewardship and grassroots advocacy, and examples of truly exceptional craftsmanship. The League is honored to recognize their remarkable achievements and the contribution each has made to their communities and the state at large.”
2026 Awardees: The Van Ostrande-Radliff House, Albany, Albany County; American Lofts at Silo City, Buffalo, Erie County; Historic Saranac Lake Trudeau Building Rehabilitation, Saranac Lake, Franklin County; Eagle Island Camp, Franklin County; Friends of Abolitionist Place, Brooklyn Kings County; Alden Witham, Sharon Springs, Montgomery County; The Waldorf Astoria New York, Manhattan, New York County; Elmer Gardens, Schenectady, Schenectady County; National Women’s Hall of Fame, Seneca Falls, Seneca County; TRANSART & Cultural Service, Kingston, Ulster County
Recipients of the Excellence Award represent the very best of what the League stands for and supports in historic preservation. They exemplify best practices in the field and demonstrate how preservation is integral to building stronger neighborhoods, boosting local economies, tackling the affordable housing crisis, mitigating climate change, opening our eyes to overlooked history, and saving the places that are special to all of us. The Excellence Awards celebrate those who work so hard to protect that shared heritage.
About the Preservation League of New York State
Since its founding in 1974, the Preservation League of NYS has built a reputation for action and effectiveness. Our goal has been to preserve our historic buildings, districts, and landscapes and to build a better New York, one community at a time. The League empowers all New Yorkers to use historic preservation to enrich their communities, protect their heritage, and build a sustainable future. We lead advocacy, economic development, and education programs across the state. Connect with us at preservenys.org, facebook.com/preservenys, youtube.com/c/PreservationLeague and instagram.com/preservenys
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