Marlborough, MA – June 15, 2026 – Four projects featuring historic replica windows custom-produced by Universal Window, the leading manufacturer of precision-engineered aluminum windows for commercial restoration and adaptive reuse, were honored with 2026 Historic Preservation Awards by Preservation Massachusetts. The non-profit historic preservation organization is dedicated to preserving the Commonwealth’s historic and cultural heritage and annually recognizes outstanding preservation projects at its Preservation Awards event.
This year’s event was held on June 11th at the 521 Overlook at historic Fenway Park, where Preservation Massachusetts celebrated 250 years of history with the theme “Preservation is Revolutionary”, which highlighted preservationists and preservation projects that demonstrate the power of preservation in today’s world.
Universal Window supplied windows to four of the commercial buildings that were recognized, with winners in two separate categories: The Paul & Niki Tsongas Award, which celebrates “people and projects that have displayed the highest level of commitment to historic preservation in the Commonwealth,” and the Mayor Thomas M. Menino Legacy Award, which honors “projects that are transformative, catalytic, embrace the community, create partnerships, and revitalize the best of the past to make something good for the future.”
The Tsongas Award winner was The Residences on Appleton in Holyoke, which WinnCompanies transformed from a long-vacant historic mill complex into 88 affordable apartment homes for seniors aged 55 and older. Keith Construction was the general contractor, and The Architectural Team served as the architect. The Menino Legacy Award winners were the Residences at Mill 8 in Ludlow, a 123-year-old mill that Westmass Area Development Corporation and WinnCompanies converted into 95 mixed-income apartments for 55+ adults and restored an iconic clock tower. Dellbrook was the general contractor, and The Architectural Team served as the architect.
There was also a pair of artist-themed affordable housing developments among the Menino awardees: the Fitchburg Arts Community, developed by NewVue Communities in collaboration with the Fitchburg Art Museum to provide 68 mixed-income, artist-preference apartments in three former historic municipal buildings in Fitchburg; and the Beverly Village for Living & the Arts, co-developed by Beacon Communities and Harbor Lights, which created 85 income-restricted apartments for people aged 55+ and six unique Live/Work studios with a preference for artists. Longtime Universal Window partner, Canton-based Keith Construction, was the construction manager for both projects. ICON Architecture designed the Fitchburg Arts Community, and SV Design was the architecture firm for Beverly Village. You can read more about the artist-themed projects here.
“It is once again an honor to be a part of so many projects that were recognized by Preservation Massachusetts. Our employees take tremendous pride in their work, and our contributions to these award-winning projects cement our reputation among developers and construction firms as the go-to window manufacturer for historic renovation projects,” said Jeff Reilly, President & CEO of Universal Window and Door.
For more information and a complete list of 2026 Preservation Awards winners, go to: https://www.preservationmass.org/awardees
About Preservation Massachusetts
Preservation Massachusetts is the statewide non-profit historic preservation organization dedicated to preserving the Commonwealth’s historic and cultural heritage. It was established in 1989 and is supported entirely by members and concerned citizens. In keeping with its original mission, the organization works in partnership with national, state, and local preservation organizations and individuals across the Commonwealth. For more information, go to: www.preservationmass.org
About Universal Window
Founded in 1968, Universal Window provides architects, general contractors, and developers of historic buildings with high-quality, technologically advanced aluminum window solutions. Our historic lines are designed to meet the rigorous requirements of the National Register of Historic Places and the National Park Service, and we also offer a full line of products for new commercial and institutional construction. Learn more at: www.universalwindow.com.
MEDIA CONTACT
Jeff Reilly, CEO, Universal Window
jeffr@universalwindow.com | 508-481-2850
Lynn Mason-Small, President, Bright Buoy Marketing
lsmall@thebrightbuoy.com | 508-364-0990
