MASterworks Awards
Established in 2001, the MASterworks Design Awards recognize projects completed in the previous year that exemplify excellence across the municipal arts of architecture, landscape architecture, preservation, and public art. From iconic buildings to neighborhood gems, our list of past winners includes the likes of Weeksville Heritage Center, David Geffen Hall, Adams Street Library, the Davis Center at the Harlem Meer, Tenement Museum, Endale Arch, the TKTS Booth, Newtown Creek Nature Walk, High Bridge, and the Gowanus Canal Sponge Park.
The 2027 call for project submissions is open now through Friday, November 13 at 11:59 PM. To be eligible, projects must be located within the five boroughs of New York City and have been completed between January 1, 2026, and December 31, 2026.
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Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center. Photo Credit: Alexander Severin.photo 1 of 14 -
The Studio Museum in Harlem. Photo Credit: Dror Baldingerphoto 2 of 14 -
Davis Center at the Harlem Meer. Photo Credit: Central Park Conservancy.photo 3 of 14 -
Kelly Park Playground. Photo Credit: JR Cruzphoto 4 of 14 -
The Frick. Photo credit: Joe Coscia Jr.photo 5 of 14 -
Waldorf Astoria New York. Lucas Blair Simpson © SOM (before), Dave Burk © SOM (after)photo 6 of 14 -
The Refinery at Domino. Photo Credit: Max Touheyphoto 7 of 14 -
Manhattan Pet Adoption Center. Photo Credit: Alex Fradkinphoto 8 of 14 -
DUMBO Archway Plaza Bleachers. Photo Credit: Noemie Trustyphoto 9 of 14 -
Gowanus Lowlands. Photo Credit: SCAPE/Ty Colephoto 10 of 14 -
'Exodus and Dance' Restoration at Kingsborough Houses. Photo Credit: New York City Housing Authorityphoto 11 of 14 -
Gotham Park. Photo Credit: Jay Maldonadophoto 12 of 14 -
PENN 2. Photo Credit: Magda Biernatphoto 13 of 14 -
Plaza 33. Photo Credit: Michael Moranphoto 14 of 14
2027 Open Call
The 2027 Open Call is open now through Friday, November 13 at 11:59 PM. To be eligible for a 2027 MASterworks Design Award, projects must be located within the five boroughs of New York City and have been completed between January 1, 2026, and December 31, 2026.
Criteria
All nominated projects must be located in New York City and have been completed in the previous year. Projects can be nominated in up to two of the following categories:
- Best New Building for a project that exemplifies outstanding design and enhances the built environment
- Best Adaptive Reuse for a project that exemplifies excellence in adaptive reuse of a significant historic building or structure
- Best Restoration for a project that expertly captures the original qualities of a significant historic building or structure
- Best Urban Landscape for a new or revitalized open space that contributes to livability and resilience
- Best Urban Amenity for an addition to the public realm that contributes to a more livable city
- Best Public Art for a new or newly restored project that enriches the cultural fabric of the city
2027 Jury
Among this year’s jury panel are Mexican architect Frida Escobedo, who is designing the new Oscar L. Tang and H.M. Agnes Hsu-Tang Wing for Modern and Contemporary Art at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York; Diller Scofidio + Renfro (DS+R) Partner Benjamin Gilmartin, who led the redesign of Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center, and Beyer Blinder Belle Architects Partner Nathaniel Rogers, a leading practitioner. The jury will prioritize projects that provide a public benefit. More Jury members will be announced soon.
2026 Honorees
Best New Building
The Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center by Studio Gang
Studio Museum in Harlem by Adjaye Associates
Best New Urban Landscape
The Davis Center at the Harlem Meer by Susan T. Rodriguez Architecture and the Central Park Conservancy
Kelly Park Playground by NYC Parks
Best Restoration
The Frick Collection by Selldorf Architects and Beyer Blinder Belle
Waldorf Astoria New York by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
Best Adaptive Reuse
The Refinery at Domino by Practice for Architecture & Urbanism and Field Operations
The Manhattan Pet Adoption Center by Studio Joseph
Best New Urban Amenity
The DUMBO Archway Plaza Bleachers by AECOM
Best Environmental Innovation
Gowanus Lowlands by SCAPE, Gowanus Canal Conservancy, and NYC Department of City Planning
Best Public Art Restoration
Exodus and Dance Frieze by Richmond Barthé at the Kingsborough Houses restored by Jemco Electrical Contractors, EverGreene Architectural Arts, and the New York City Housing Authority
Special Recognition
Gotham Park by the New York City Department of Transportation
PENN 2 by MdeAS Architects and Plaza 33 by MNLA
2026 Jury
Every year, MAS convenes an esteemed jury of architects, designers, preservationists, scholars, and critics to select the winners of the MASterworks Awards. This year’s distinguished jury is as follows:
Isabel Castilla, Associate Partner, Field Operations
Phu Duong, Founding Principal, Urban X Design LLC
Everardo Jefferson, Principal and Founder, Caples Jefferson Architects PC
Daphne Lundi, Managing Director, Urban Ocean Lab
Read more about our 2026 Jury >
2026 Ceremony
The 2026 MASterworks Design Awards honorees were celebrated at Celebrating the City on April 21, 2026 Learn more >.
View photos from the 2024 Awards Ceremony.
2024 Recipients
- Best New Building Far Rockaway Library
- Best Urban Landscape Shore Front Parkway Beach 98th Playground
- Best Restoration 550 Madison
- Best Adaptive Reuse Pier 57
- Best New Infrastructure East Midtown Greenway and Andrew Haswell Green Park Phase 2B
- Best New Urban Amenity Bronx Point
- Best Environmental Innovation Inwood Hill Nature Center Post-Sandy Reconstruction
Richard Morris Hunt Patrons enjoy behind-the-scenes tours and other special events
Related News + Reports
Winning Landmark Status for the Lever House
As Lever House is threatened with demolition, MAS successfully advocates for its designation as a landmark, the first from the mid-century era. Photo: Seth Tisue, Boston, Massachusetts.
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