NYCHA Receives Historic Preservation Award

At a November 3 recognition ceremony, NYCHA received a 2025 Excellence in Historic Preservation Award from the Preservation League of New York State in recognition of its rehabilitation of Williamsburg Houses and restoration of public artwork Exodus & Dance, both located in Brooklyn. Since 1984, the League’s annual Excellence Awards program has shined a light on the people who make positive change through preservation.

The rehabilitation of Williamsburg Houses and the restoration of James Richmond Barthé’s Exodus & Dance are testaments to NYCHA’s commitment to demonstrating pride of place at NYCHA properties. These two projects sit at opposites ends of the spectrum in terms of scale – one a multi-building, 1,600-plus-unit residence, the other a Works Progress Administration-era public art installation – but in both cases, the attention to detail and care taken to include the community show the importance of centering people in the process of managing these important public places.

“We are incredibly proud to accept this statewide Excellence in Historic Preservation award,” said NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “The comprehensive rehabilitation of Williamsburg Houses is a prime example of the PACT program’s success, leveraging partnerships and resident engagement to both preserve historic architecture and improve the quality of life for over 3,000 residents. Paired with the meticulous restoration of Barthé’s Exodus & Dance and revitalization of the adjacent public space at Kingsborough Houses, we are reaffirming our commitment to preservation and renovation for NYCHA residents. We are grateful to all of our partners for their tremendous support on these projects.”

“NYCHA’s PACT program and the rehabilitation of Williamsburg Houses is a great example of how our partnerships are preserving historic developments and investing in our NYCHA communities,” said NYCHA Chief Real Estate Officer Jonathan Gouveia. “We are very proud to receive this alongside our PACT partners and the Williamsburg community.” 

“It’s an honor to receive this award for the restoration of Barthé’s Exodus & Dance,” said NYCHA Chief Asset and Capital Management Officer Shaan Mavani. “This project is a powerful testament to the importance of preserving African American artistic heritage for future generations, and the adjoining revitalized open space serves as a beacon for the Kingsborough Houses community. We extend a huge thank you to our partners who provided additional funding and support.”

“Restoration of the Exodus and Dance frieze is breathing new life into Kingsborough Houses while celebrating the rich history and artistic legacy of its residents,” said Alex Zablocki, Executive Director of the Public Housing Community Fund. “The project is a powerful example of how placemaking and public art in open spaces can foster community connection and deepen residents’ engagement with their surroundings. The documentation and historical preservation aspect will serve as a blueprint for future projects that seek to empower communities and honor the legacy of NYCHA. We’re grateful to all our partners, especially the residents whose contributions made this restoration possible.”