Three DDC Projects Receive MASterworks Design Awards Including for “Best New Building”

Three DDC Projects Receive MASterworks Design Awards Including for "Best New Building"

DDC: Ian Michaels, 646-939-6514, [email protected]

(Long Island City, NY - April 7, 2026) Acting Commissioner Eduardo del Valle of the NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) announced today that three DDC projects have been named by The Municipal Art Society of New York to receive MASterworks Design Awards, including the prestigious honor "Best New Building" for the new Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center in Brooklyn.

Other DDC projects receiving awards are the Manhattan Pet Adoption Center, which shared the award for "Best Adaptive Reuse," and the DUMBO plaza bleachers in Brooklyn that were installed as part of DDC's $108 million DUMBO reconstruction project, which were named "Best New Urban Amenity."

"Through our Design and Construction Excellence program, DDC brings many of the world's most prominent design firms to City projects," said DDC Acting Commissioner Eduardo del Valle. "The Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center is a remarkable improvement for the community, as well as a great example of how we can build faster and better with design-build contracting. We thank the Municipal Art Society for this recognition for all three great DDC projects."

Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center (Best New Building)

The $141 million Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center was designed by the firm Studio Gang and opened to the public in early-February. The building includes brand-new fitness resources including a competition-sized 6 lane swimming pool; a three-lane walking track; a gym perfect for basketball, pickleball, and volleyball; exercise rooms for cardio workouts, weightlifting and spin classes; plus spaces for events, classes and afterschool programming. The building is just the third citywide to achieve LEED V4 Platinum certification for environmental sustainability.

The Center, located at 3002 Foster Avenue in East Flatbush, is also New York City's first completely public building to be constructed using the design-build method of contracting. Using design-build, DDC was able to complete the Center at least three years faster than would have been possible under the traditional system of lowest bidder contracting, and with a projected ten percent cost savings. Similar public buildings have historically taken six full years or more to be completed under lowest bidder contracting. Another DDC project, the Far Rockaway Library, won "Best New Building" in the 2024 edition of the awards.

Manhattan Pet Adoption Center (Best Adaptive Reuse)

The $6.3 million Manhattan Pet Adoption Center that DDC built for the NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC) in a converted garage received an award for "Best Adaptive Reuse." The 2,500-square-foot building now has a colorful façade that brings in daylight and creates an attractive and engaging street presence, while a steel rainscreen adds depth while preserving the existing masonry behind it. The design was completed by the firm Studio Joseph as part of DDC's Design and Construction Excellence program.

DUMBO Archway Plaza Bleachers (Best New Urban Amenity)

DDC's $108 million restoration of 16 blocks in Brooklyn's historic DUMBO neighborhood brought many improvements to the neighborhood and also installed new storm sewers to help alleviate flooding. One of the new public spaces created by the project is the new Pearl Street Plaza, which extends through a restored archway under the Manhattan Bridge. The Plaza is 2,500 square yards and includes a new lighting system and fencing, plus numerous planters, umbrellas and seating areas. The bleachers that make up those seating areas received the award for "Best New Urban Amenity."

About the NYC Department of Design and Construction
The Department of Design and Construction is the City's primary capital construction project manager, providing New York's diverse communities in all five boroughs with new or renovated public buildings such as firehouses, libraries, police precincts, and new or upgraded roads, sewers and water mains. To manage this $34 billion portfolio, DDC partners with other City agencies, architects and consultants, whose experience bring efficient, innovative and environmentally-conscious design and construction strategies to City projects. For more information, please visit nyc.gov/ddc.