Interior of the New York Stock Exchange trading floor showing balcony doors

Hoffmann Wins 2025 Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award from the New York Landmarks Conservancy

Date March 2025

Category AwardsPress Releases

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Restoration of New York Stock Exchange awarded Conservancy’s highest honor

Hoffmann Architects + Engineers, a design firm specializing in the rehabilitation of building exteriors, announces that the historic door replacement and restoration at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) has been selected for the Lucy G. Moses Preservation Award, the New York Landmarks Conservancy’s coveted prize for extraordinary preservation projects.

The Moses Award represents the Conservancy’s highest honors for excellence in preservation. Named for Lucy G. Moses, a dedicated New Yorker whose philanthropy enriched the city for more than fifty years, the award recognizes outstanding efforts that preserve the city’s architectural heritage. For the fourth year in a row, Hoffmann has been recognized with this prestigious honor; NYLC awarded Hoffmann the Moses Award in 2024 for Masonic Hall NYC, in 2023 for the 69th Regiment Armory, and in 2022 for One Wall Street.

“The project’s balance between old and new components embraces history and innovation,” notes lead designer Richard W. Off, AIA, Senior Architect with Hoffmann. “The door replacement and restoration not only pays homage to the building’s original design, but also enhances longevity through high-performance repair and replacement materials and systems. This speaks of the very spirit of the Stock Exchange.”

The Conservancy will present the Moses Awards at a gala event on Wednesday, April 22, 2025 at 6:00pm at Edison Ballroom in Manhattan.

Interior of the New York Stock Exchange trading floor showing balcony doors

Symbols of Access and Prosperity

While the exterior doors of the New York Stock Exchange represent but a fraction of the exterior, they play a crucial role in the visual fabric of the building, connecting the fabled heritage of the space with the possibilities of an evolving free-market economy. The function and symbolism of the facility loom large in popular culture, from the Occupy Wall Street movement to representations in film and media. As such, security, including high-performance fire and blast resistance, is paramount.

Previous modifications brought such safety concerns to the fore, but with little regard for the historic character of the building or the experience of approaching and entering the storied interior. At the balcony, original French-style solid wood doors had been replaced with steel, the erstwhile large glass lights pared down to small openings. While this modification provided peace of mind against potential terror attacks, it diminished natural light and architectural richness.

Existing balcony doors at the New York Stock Exchange, before restoration

BEFORE: Existing steel balcony doors were utilitarian.

New balcony doors at the New York Stock Exchange, after restoration

AFTER: Replacement solid mahogany French doors restore light and character.

At the main entrance along Broad Street, the original seven door openings were each subjected to alterations that resulted in no two appearing alike. From recessed doors with overhead rolling security gates to steel blast doors to disused openings blocked with infill, the facade had subsumed appearance to function. Yet, with time, even the functionality of these disjointed openings was compromised, as exposure led to corrosion, delamination, stone spalls, wood degradation, and other symptoms of distress.

Sustainability Considerations

Alongside project objectives for aesthetic uniformity, historic accuracy, and the re-establishment of the Statuary Building entrance as the grand gateway to the Stock Exchange, the project team foregrounded considerations for ecological design. By restoring existing elements where appropriate and attending to the carbon footprint of new materials, the restoration aimed to balance approaches to achieve appearance and performance goals while minimizing environmental impact.

Central entry doors at Broad Street facade of the NYSE Statuary Building

Restored and replacement entry doors at the NYSE Statuary Building.

Case-by-Case Detailing

At the balconies, archival photographs and surviving decorative elements in the surrounding facade informed design of new solid mahogany doors. Engineered to accommodate insulating glass, the doors improve energy efficiency, and brass hardware lends durability while providing rich historic texture. Enhancements to building security and life safety systems provide the requisite protection without relying on architecturally incongruous steel doors.

Many of the 1920s wood doors at the ground floor were sufficiently sound to permit retention and restoration. An existing historically accurate metal-and-glass door was also restored. At infill areas where interior configurations did not permit refitting of doors, the project team restored bluestone and removed architecturally incongruous artifacts such as steel fences and grilles. New steps and pavers match the color, texture, and appearance of the originals while enhancing resilience at high-traffic entrances.

To complement an existing door further along the facade, the central entry door was replaced with a historically congruent metal-and-glass door matching the Beaux Arts-style of its companion. Together, the pair of decorative doors, both recessed, counterbalance the simpler style of adjacent wood doors that are flush with the facade. As the primary entrance, the central door requires enhanced security, so existing blast-resistant steel doors remained but benefitted from aesthetic upgrades to hardware and finish.

The restoration’s attentive detailing yielded a reinvigorated facade, the effects of which permeate the interior with renewed light, openness, and architectural continuity.

“The project’s balance between old and new components embraces history and innovation. This speaks of the very spirit of the Stock Exchange.” -- Richard W. Off, AIA, Senior Architect

Window frame ornamentation at New York Stock Exchange balcony door
Brass hardware and x-motif detail at New York Stock Exchange door
An architect holds up a marble sample to a surrounding wall to evaluate stone matching

The project team painstakingly considered each detail: ornamentation at replacement wood balcony doors [left], brass hardware on the primary entrance door [center], and stone matching for surrounds, infill, finishes, and steps [right].

Project Team

In addition to the New York Stock Exchange, Hoffmann wishes to recognize project team members Higgins Quasebarth & Partners (historic resources consultant), Benchmark Builders (general contractor), Nicholson & Galloway (masonry), PP&A Custom Work (wood doors), and Mistral Architectural Metal + Glass (metal doors).

About Hoffmann Architects + Engineers

Founded in 1977, Hoffmann Architects + Engineers specializes in the rehabilitation of building enclosures. The firm’s work focuses on the exteriors of existing structures, diagnosing and resolving deterioration within facades, roofing systems, windows, waterproofing materials, plazas/terraces, parking garages, and historic and landmark structures. We provide consulting services for new construction, as well as litigation and claim support. Our technical professionals investigate and correct damage resulting from time and weather, substandard or improper construction, design defects, material failures, poor workmanship, structural movement, and stress. To learn more, visit hoffarch.com.

About the New York Landmarks Conservancy

From the smallest buildings, to the most extraordinary landmarks, to our diverse neighborhoods, the New York Landmarks Conservancy preserves and protects the unique architectural heritage of the City we love. We are on the frontlines, giving New York’s preservation needs a voice, advocating for sensible development, providing financial assistance and technical expertise—all to ensure that the character of our city continues to enrich the quality of life for all New Yorkers. For more information, visit nylandmarks.org.