PRESERVATION: Crawford & Stearns, Architects and Preservation Planners, PLLC has provided architectural design, planning, and historic preservation consultant services relating to the restoration and preservation of numerous historic sites including the following selections:
Marshall Bice House / Schoharie, NY
The Bice House was constructed by local businessman Marshall D. Bice at the edge of the village of Schoharie in 1868 and is considered to be an unusually fine example of the Italianate Style. In August of 2011 the magnificently detailed brick structure was a victim of the unprecedented flooding caused by Hurricane Irene. Fortunately the owner at that time was able to dry the house out sufficiently to prevent more damage from mold, but the building remained vacant for the next few years until it caught the eye of Dr. Hazem Elbialy, a dentist with a growing practice in the village. In the Bice House he saw a way to rescue a deteriorating landmark while at the same time enhancing the visibility of his practice. After acquiring the house in 2016 Dr. Elbialy immediately began to plan for its adaptive reuse and retained the firm of Crawford & Stearns / Architects and Preservation Planners. Crawford & Stearns worked closely with Dr. Elbialy as well as his dental consultant and local contractor to adapt the house to accommodate the many specialized and interrelated needs of a modern dental practice. With the project now completed and occupying the entire building he has expanded the business to take in a second dentist as well as four additional staff, not only creating well-paying jobs but also adding significantly to the local tax base. The project was presented with a NYS Historic Preservation Award in 2019 from the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation.
Gustav Stickley House / Syracuse, NY
Gustav Stickley’s Queen Anne style residence was constructed in 1900. Following a Christmas Eve fire in 1901, Stickley redesigned his home with a Craftsman style interior, the first of its kind in the United States. The interior was featured in the December 1902 issue of The Craftsman magazine. In 2016 the L. & J.G. Stickley Co., donated the house to the not-for-profit University Neighborhood Preservation Association who managed the Phase One Exterior Restoration. A new non-profit organization, the Gustav Stickley House Foundation, Inc. (GSHF), was formed to serve as an advisory body regarding preservation of the property, and is actively pursuing fundraising through preservation grants, corporate sponsorships, and private donations for the Phase 2 interior restoration. Crawford & Stearns provided architectural services for the Phase One exterior restoration, porch replication, and roofing project utilizing the NYS Environmental Protection Fund and HCR-Urban Initiatives grant programs (2016-2018). In 2018 the Gustav Stickley House was presented a Harley J. McKee Award by the Preservation Association of Central New York in recognition of excellence in the promotion and application of preservation technology and fine craftsmanship. Crawford & Stearns prepared concept design drawings for the Phase 2 interior restoration to support grant applications and fundraising by the GSHF. The project was recently awarded a Save America’s Treasure grant from the National Park Service in 2020 and a NYS Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) grant in December 2023. Crawford & Stearns is under contract to prepare Phase 2 interior contract documents. Construction is expected to begin in 2024.
Niagara Mohawk Building / Syracuse, NY
Crawford & Stearns partnered with Klepper, Hahn & Hyatt for the preparation of an exterior condition assessment for the nationally renowned Art Deco-design Niagara Mohawk Building in Syracuse, New York. The building was constructed in 1934 and is presently the local offices of National Grid. The structure is often cited as one of the most prominent Art Deco designs of the era including the use of bright stainless steel, brushed aluminum, polished granite, black Carrara glass, cast stone, cream colored brick, and intricate lighting. The locally beloved building had become seriously deteriorated on the exterior. The project team prepared a comprehensive exterior assessment looking at both physical deterioration and the historic significance of materials, designs, and replacement materials. The current owner, National Grid USA, decided on a phased course of action to address the highest priority issues first. In 2008 Crawford & Stearns, Architects and Preservation Planners and Klepper, Hahn, & Hyatt Engineers prepared construction documents for the exterior restoration project, including complete roof replacement, extensive masonry reconstruction, removal and replacement of the 1980s windows, and black glass restoration. The project was completed in 2011 for $5.7 milllion dollars. The building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2010. In 2012 the project was presented with an Excellence in Historic Preservation Award by the Preservation League of New York State.
Joseph Smith Farm / Palmyra, New York
The Joseph Smith Farm frame home is of singular significance in that it is the only remaining building directly related to Joseph Smith, founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Crawford & Stearns worked closely with the History Department and Department of Temples and Special Projects for preparation of an Historic Structure Report and the comprehensive restoration of the c. 1822 frame farm house at the historic farm site, boyhood home of Joseph Smith. The Smith Farm is one component in the restoration of the entire Smith Farm Historic Site that encompasses 100 acres of church-owned property. Crawford & Stearns continues to provide professional services for LDS Church at multiple historic sites.
Harriet May Mills House / Syracuse, NY
The Harriet May Mills House was renovated in 2004 by Syracuse Brick House, Inc. for use as a community halfway house for twelve women in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. The house contains six bedrooms, four bathrooms, dining room, a new kitchen, and support offices. The building required urgent stabilization and rehabilitation to prevent its demolition. The need for immediate action to preserve the historic home received widespread public attention. Support for the proposed rehabilitation was evident at many levels as evidenced by the funding provided by the City of Syracuse, Senator John A. DeFrancisco, NYS Homeless Housing Assistance Corporation, the Jon Ben Snow Foundation, the CNY Community Foundation, and a NYS OPRHP EPF Grant. In all SBH raised approximately $750,000 for the project. Crawford & Stearns served as architects for the comprehensive rehabilitation including design and replication of the c. 1900 front porch.