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Construction Design & Engineering
Posted: October 24, 2025
Andrew Sidford Architects wins American Institute of Architects New Hampshire award for Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club
Portsmouth, NH Andrew Sidford Architects has received the Rick + Duffy Monahon Award for Design Excellence in Architectural Restoration and Preservation from the American Institute of Architects New Hampshire Chapter (AIANH). The award honors the firm’s work on the revitalization of Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club, a historic property in downtown.
The building, located at 141 Congress St., was originally built in 1878 as a private home by architect Walter J. Pain. The home’s owner, William Hackett, bequeathed the building to the YMCA upon his death in 1905. Most recently, the structure underwent a comprehensive transformation by Andrew Sidford Architects. The project balanced historic preservation with modern functionality, breathing new life into the building while maintaining its architectural integrity. Today, Jimmy’s stands as a premier live music venue that blends world-class performance spaces with the city’s vibrant cultural and historic fabric.
“We are honored to receive this recognition,” said Andrew Sidford, Principal of Andrew Sidford Architects. “Restoring Jimmy’s meant respecting the building’s history while reimagining it for a new purpose. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the community enjoying the space as both a cultural destination and a preserved piece of Portsmouth’s architectural heritage.”
The Rick + Duffy Monahon Award celebrates exemplary projects that preserve and restore New England’s historic buildings while adapting them to serve contemporary needs. The Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club project was recognized for its thoughtful design approach and contribution to the vitality of downtown Portsmouth.
The AIANH awards program highlights the best in architecture throughout the state, honoring firms that elevate design quality and enrich communities.
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