There's a story unfolding in Saratoga Springs, New York, that every owner of a crumbling historic structure needs to hear. It begins with a condemned church building, a community's stubborn belief in what that building could become, and a single critical first step that set everything else in motion.

The Universal Baptist Church at 25 Washington Street had been in consistent use since its founding in 1871 — originally built as the First Methodist Episcopal Church and later sold to the Universal Baptist Church in 1976 — but by 2000, the building's deteriorating state had made it unsafe, and the city condemned it. Roof leaks had caused masonry failure and damaged large timber trusses supporting the roof. For most observers, this was a demolition story in the making.

It wasn't. It became a restoration story — one that now seats 700 people for concerts, lectures, and community event, now called Universal Preservation Hall (UPH).  And it offers a direct roadmap for owners of similarly distressed historic properties.

The First Move: Landmark Recognition Through SHPO

In 1999, citizens of Saratoga Springs joined with members of the Baptist Church to rescue the Hall from collapse, forming a partnership to rebuild it as a performance and events center while creating a separate worship space for the congregation within the building. That coalition's first strategic move was pursuing historic recognition through the New York State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)— the foundational step that made every subsequent funding source accessible.

SHPO listing places properties on the New York State and National Registers of Historic Places. That credential is the gateway to the most powerful preservation financing tools available: the Federal Historic Tax Credit (20% of qualified rehabilitation costs), New York State's own Historic Tax Credit, and competitive grant programs through the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Without it, those resources simply aren't on the table.  Versions of these grant programs are available in most states.

TRW Architecture & Preservation Guided the Process

This is also where specialized expertise proved indispensable. Albany-based Thaler Reilly Wilson Architecture & Preservation (TRW) — a trusted name in restoring and reimagining historically significant structures regionally and nationally — designed the renovations and new addition that transformed the building into a centerpiece of cultural life in the Capital Region.

TRW was hired in 2013 to reimagine how the building could work as a performance venue, bringing preservation architecture expertise that went well beyond design. TRW assisted in securing a Technical Assistance Grant from the Preservation League of New York State for preparation of an accessibility study, which was completed in 2014, and a 2015 grant from the Empire State Development Corporation. UPH was also awarded grants from the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation and the New York Landmarks Conservancy Sacred Sites Program.

The restoration began in earnest in 2018, with TRW leading the work, ultimately delivering a complete exterior restoration, interior renovation, and an ADA-accessible addition. At the end of 2021, the Preservation League of New York State recognized the project with an Excellence in Historic Preservation Award.

TRW's involvement illustrates a crucial point: Eligibility for landmark designation is key to navigating the preservation funding landscape — Historic Trust contacts, tax credit applications, grant sequencing  — requires professionals who do this work every day. The right preservation architect isn't just a designer; they're a guide through a complex process that rewards those who know how to use it.

What Owners of Historic Structures Should Do Right Now

If you own or steward a deteriorating historic property, the UPH story delivers a clear message: don't wait until you have the money to begin the process. Begin the process to get the money.

Universal Preservation Hall began as a condemned structure facing demolition. The right first step, and the right team to execute it, changed everything. If your historic property deserves the same outcome, Thaler Reilly Wilson Architecture & Preservation in Albany, NY is the firm that knows how to get you there — from SHPO nomination through final ribbon-cutting.

Contact TRW at trw-arch.com or call (518) 432-0187 to begin the conversation. Don't be discouraged by the condition of your building. SHPO recognizes structures for historical and architectural significance, not current state of repair. A condemned building with genuine importance is still eligible — and arguably, the urgency of its condition makes the case for preservation all the more compelling.

To explore landmark designation for a historic property in New York, visit the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation at parks.ny.gov, or contact Thaler Reilly Wilson Architecture & Preservation at trw-arch.com.