MASterworks Awards
Established in 2001, the MASterworks Awards pay tribute to projects completed in the previous year that exemplify excellence in architecture and urban design. From iconic buildings to hidden neighborhood gems, our list of past winners includes the likes of Weeksville Heritage Center, Manhattan District 1/2/5 Garage & Salt Shed, the Fulton Center, McCarren Pool and Bathhouse, the Tenement Museum, the TKTS Booth, El Barrio Bait Station, the High Bridge, and the Gowanus Canal Sponge Park.
The nomination period for the 2022 MASterworks is now closed. All nominated projects must be located in New York City and have been completed in 2021. Projects can be nominated in up to two of the following categories:
- Best New Building for outstanding architectural design
- Best Urban Landscape for a new or revitalized open space that contributes to livability and resilience
- Best Restoration for a project that expertly enhances the original qualities of a significant historic building or structure
- Best Adaptive Reuse for a project that demonstrates exceptional creativity in adaptive reuse of an existing building or structure
- Best New Infrastructure for distinctive design in public service projects
- Best New Urban Amenity for an addition to the built environment that contributes to a more livable city
Every year, MAS convenes an esteemed jury of architects, designers, preservationists, scholars, and critics to select the winners of the MASterworks Awards. Past jury members have included Justin Davidson, Architecture and Classical Music Critic, New York Magazine; Bjarke Ingels, Founding Partner, BIG; Alexandra Lange, Architecture Critic, Curbed; Justin Garrett Moore, then-Executive Director, NYC Public Design Commission; Benjamin Prosky, Executive Director, AIA New York / Center for Architecture; and Rafael Viñoly, Rafael Viñoly Architects.
The 2022 MASterworks jury will be announced shortly. Winning projects will be honored this fall with a public program featuring in-person explorations of project sites and virtual conversations with project teams.
Select Past Honorees
2021
Amant – Best New Building
Endale Arch – Best Restoration
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library – Best Adaptive Reuse
Newtown Creek Nature Walk – Best New Urban Amenity
LaGuardia Terminal B Arrivals & Departures Hall – Best New Infrastructure
Pier 26 at Hudson River Park – Best Urban Landscape
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
NYC Open Streets and Neighborhoods Now: Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation
2020
Madison Square Boys & Girls Club Pinkerton Clubhouse – Best New Building
The Fire Watchtower at Marcus Garvey Park – Best Restoration
TWA Hotel – Best Adaptive Reuse
Essex Market / The Market Line – Best New Urban Amenity
El Barrio Bait Station – Best New Infrastructure
The Reconstruction of Roberto Clemente State Park – Best Urban Landscape
2019
Columbia University: The Forum – Best New Building
462 Broadway – Best Restoration
Sunset Park Interim Library – Best Adaptive Reuse
Domino Park – Best New Urban Amenity
Pier 35 – Best New Infrastructure
Hunter’s Point South Waterfront Park, Phase II – Best Urban Landscape
2018
Brooklyn Bridge Park Boathouse – Best New Building
Tenement Museum – Best Restoration
Empire Stores – Best Adaptive Reuse
Kew Gardens Hills Library – Best New Urban Amenity
Moynihan Train Hall and Farley Building Redevelopment Phase 1: New West End Concourse – Best New Infrastructure
Gowanus Canal Sponge Park – Best Urban Landscape
2017
The Montauk Club – Best Restoration
A/D/O – Best Adaptive Reuse
New Lab – Best Neighborhood Catalyst
New York Public Library, 53rd Street Branch – Best New Urban Amenity
Public Safety Answering Center II – Best New Infrastructure
Governors Island Phase 2: The Hills – Best New Urban Landscape
Roy and Diana Vagelos Center – Best New Building