Four Universal Window projects earn 2026 Preservation Mass awards

Marlborough, MA Four projects featuring historic replica windows custom-produced by Universal Window 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. 

Universal Window supplied windows for projects that won in two separate categories: The Paul & Niki Tsongas Award, and the Mayor Thomas M. Menino Legacy Award.

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 Corp. 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 Harborlight Homes, 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. 

“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.