A five-year renovation and addition project of the Nathan Hale Homestead Ell Visitor's Services, designed and orchestrated by Pirie Associates Architects of New Haven, has received the 2013 Connecticut Real Estate Exchange's CREW CT Blue Ribbon Award in the category of outstanding historical project. The Hale Homestead is one of Connecticut Landmarks' flagship properties. It enjoys over 80,000 site visitors annually and hosts the nationally recognized Coventry Regional Farmer's Market. The project was selected for the award due to the sensitive scale and design character the renovation demonstrated, according to the CREW CT Blue Ribbon Award selection committee. Pirie Associates Architects and CT Landmarks worked together to develop the design with the intent to preserve the historic structure of the building while adapting the use of the Ell to address current program needs, improve the visitor experience, broaden the visitor base and enhance the presence of the site and public awareness of CT Landmarks as a community resource. "This project is particularly rewarding for Pirie Architects because it is a great example of how we bring a client's vision to life through our responsive, regenerative design process," said Laura Pirie, principal of Pirie Associates. "The project took several turns to arrive at the best adaptive re-use of existing resources which, together with good design, has breathed new life into the site." The renovation and addition were built with the expertise of PAC Group, LLC, General Contractors and Construction Managers, which partnered with Pirie Associates and CT Landmarks to make this project a reality. "We are thrilled with the way in which we were able to work with Pirie Associates and PAC Group, LLC to realize CT Landmarks' aspirations for this nationally significant site in a way that beautifully merges the property's history with its evolution into a vital, living community resource," said Sheryl Hack, executive director, CT Landmarks.