Centerbrook Receives 2026 Cambridge Historical Commission Preservation Award
Centerbrook Architects and Planners is pleased to announce that the restoration and rehabilitation of Reed and Burnham Halls at Lesley University has received a 2026 Preservation Award from the Cambridge Historical Commission. The award recognizes the project’s exemplary commitment to historic preservation, thoughtful adaptive reuse, and community stewardship.
Located on Lesley University’s South Campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Reed Hall (1873) and Burnham Hall (1879) are distinguished examples of Victorian Gothic architecture designed by the renowned Boston firm Ware and Van Brunt. Originally constructed for the Episcopal Theological School, the sandstone, brick, and Roxbury puddingstone buildings have long been defining features of the Brattle Street streetscape and the surrounding historic neighborhood.
Completed in Fall 2024, the comprehensive restoration and rehabilitation project united the two buildings into a single functional complex that supports the university’s academic mission while preserving and, in many areas, revealing their historic character. Working closely with the Cambridge Historical Commission, Centerbrook, Shawmut Design and Construction, and a multidisciplinary team of consultants carefully balanced contemporary needs with preservation goals.
The project removed decades of unsympathetic alterations and meticulously restored its exterior. Accessibility improvements were integrated into the historic arcade and campus circulation system, while a new stormwater management strategy resolved longstanding water infiltration issues.
Before & After
A redesigned quadrangle by Stimson further reinforces the historic campus framework through new plantings, lighting, pathways, signage, and site furnishings that strengthen pedestrian connections throughout the South Campus. Together, these interventions ensure the continued vitality of two significant nineteenth-century landmarks while enhancing their role in campus and community life.
“Lesley University stepped forward — bravely, optimistically, and with a belief that these buildings could once again become places of enlightenment and community. Their vision wasn’t simply to restore buildings; it was to restore purpose.” Todd E. Andrews, Principal in Charge, Centerbrook Architects and Planners
“There’s a special responsibility that comes with working on buildings that have shaped a community for more than 150 years. Our team approached every detail with respect for the buildings’ history, knowing the goal wasn’t simply to restore Reed and Burnham Halls, but to ensure they continue serving students and the Cambridge community for generations. We’re proud to have partnered with Lesley University, Centerbrook, and our trade partners to help preserve these remarkable landmarks for the future.” Ryan Lynch, Vice President of Education, New England Region at Shawmut Design and Construction.
The Cambridge Historical Commission Preservation Award recognizes projects that demonstrate excellence in preserving and enhancing Cambridge’s architectural heritage.
Project Credits
Architect: Centerbrook Architects and Planners
Owner: Lesley University
Contractor: Shawmut Design and Construction
Landscape Architect: Stimson
Structural Engineer: Girard & Co. Engineers, LLC
Civil Engineer: Nitsch Engineering, Inc.
MEP/FP/I/S Engineer: Arup Boston
Audio/Visual and Acoustics: Cavanaugh Tocci Associates, Inc.
Lighting Design: LAM Partners
Building Envelope: Leavitt Associates, Inc.
Site and Building Signage: Group C Inc.
Media Contact
Cynthia Kinlock, Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator
Centerbrook Architects and Planners
kinlock@centerbrook.com
(860) 767-0175
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