American Lofts at Silo City: Statewide Recognition from the Preservation League of NYS

The annual Excellence in Historic Preservation Award recognizes the best examples of preservation happening across New York State

Contacts:

Lauren Hand, Social Media Manager, Carmina Wood Design lhand@carminawooddesign.com

Anthony Ceroy, Principal, Generation Development Group anthony@generationdg.com

Katy Peace, Director of Communications, Preservation League of New York State kpeace@preservenys.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BUFFALO, NY, 07/07/26 — The American Lofts at Silo City 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

Anthony Ceroy, Principal of Generation Development Group, shared, “Silo City is the definition of a once in a lifetime type of development initiative. The history, scale, and complexity of the structures are simultaneously what inspires redevelopment while making conceptualization of a program challenging. The American Lofts is the realization of a team’s unyielding commitment to return a piece of Buffalo’s industrial history to productive use while preserving the character and authenticity that makes these assets so special. We are humbled and honored to have the outcome of that commitment recognized by the Preservation League of New York State.”

“What makes this project special is that nobody took the easy path. These buildings were never designed to become housing, and there were certainly plenty of reasons to conclude it couldn't be done. Instead, the team found ways to work with the existing structures, respect their history, and make them useful again. To me, that's what preservation is about – not freezing buildings in time but helping them continue their story. We're proud to see that effort recognized,” said Paul Lang, AIA, Managing Principal, Carmina Wood Design.

“For many years, Silo City has served as a cultural and creative catalyst for Buffalo, drawing artists, musicians, preservationists, and visitors who recognize the power of these structures. The American Lofts at Silo City builds on that legacy and demonstrates how preservation can drive community investment, economic activity, and renewed appreciation for our historic resources,” said Bernice Radle, Executive Director of Preservation Buffalo Niagara.

Located along the Buffalo River, Silo City is part of a globally significant collection of grain elevators and industrial structures that helped establish Buffalo as the largest grain port in the world and pioneered the use of reinforced concrete construction. The American Lofts at Silo City transformed the long-vacant American Malt House and American Flour Mill into a mixed-use development, anchored by 168 apartments, demonstrating how some of the region's most challenging industrial buildings can be successfully adapted for contemporary use while retaining their historic character.

The impact of the project extends well beyond the rehabilitation of two landmark structures. As the first major residential redevelopment within Silo City, American Lofts has reintroduced daily activity to a previously dormant industrial campus, strengthened Buffalo's waterfront revitalization efforts, and expanded public understanding of what preservation can accomplish. By combining historic rehabilitation with affordable housing, environmental remediation, and economic development objectives, the project serves as a model for communities across New York State and the Rust Belt facing similar questions about the future of large-scale industrial heritage. American Lofts demonstrates that preservation can operate at the scale of infrastructure and industry, proving that even the most complex historic resources can be adapted to meet contemporary community needs and thus preserve a defining piece of Buffalo's industrial identity while ensuring that the site remains an active contributor to the city's future

Project team included: Generation Development Group – Developer; Carmina Wood Design – Architect; Kulback’s – Construction Management; Colby Development – Owner’s Representative and Real Estate Broker; Roux – Environmental Engineer; and AMD Environmental Consultants – Environmental Consultant.

The project was financed through a public and private partnership involving Monarch Private Capital, New York State Homes and Community Renewal, and Generation Development Group. Monarch Private Capital syndicated various state and federal allocations including historic, housing, and brownfield clean-up tax credits. Additional public investment was provided by New York State Housing Finance Agency through various initiatives and the provision of tax-exempt bonds administered in coordination with New York State Homes and Community Renewal and the State of New York Mortgage Agency.

“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