Pace University has received a 2026 U.S. Department of Energy Better Project Award in recognition of the University’s transformative energy retrofit initiatives at One Pace Plaza, its flagship campus building in Lower Manhattan.
The award recognizes Pace’s comprehensive modernization of the historic mixed-use academic building, One Pace Plaza East, which serves as the home of the Sands College of Performing Arts and Pace’s residential community. The project combined innovative sustainability strategies with major infrastructure improvements to dramatically reduce energy consumption while enhancing the student experience and long-term operational reliability.
“This project demonstrates how universities can modernize aging infrastructure and improve campus life, while significantly reducing the environmental impact of our operations at the same time.”
As part of the renovation, Pace replaced aging steam absorption chillers with a high-efficiency heat pump plant, installed advanced insulation to improve the building envelope, upgraded HVAC systems, and implemented energy-efficient LED lighting with advanced controls. Together, the retrofits are projected to reduce district steam consumption by 75 percent and electricity consumption by 32 percent annually.
“One Pace Plaza East is an exemplar in deep energy retrofits and decarbonization for urban institutions,” said Ryan McEnany, director of Energy and Resiliency at Pace. “This project demonstrates how universities can modernize aging infrastructure and improve campus life, while significantly reducing the environmental impact of our operations at the same time.”
The initiative was developed as part of Pace University’s broader sustainability and energy-reduction strategy, while also positioning the institution to comply with New York City’s ambitious building emissions requirements under Local Law 97. University leaders identified One Pace Plaza as the campus’s most energy-intensive building and an ideal candidate for a next-generation retrofit model.
Beyond energy savings, the modernization delivers substantial benefits for students, faculty, and staff. The upgraded systems provide more precise climate control for performance venues, studios, classrooms, and residence hall spaces, while improving system reliability and reducing long-term maintenance costs. Students living in Maria’s Tower will also benefit from individualized heating and cooling controls for the first time.
Pace University’s award-winning project now stands as a national model for how dense urban campuses can achieve deep energy reductions through comprehensive, system-wide modernization.
With Fall 2026 approaching, One Pace Plaza East is quickly moving from construction site to campus centerpiece. The transformational renovation is well underway, bringing new life to one of Pace University’s most iconic buildings.
Peek behind the curtain—and the construction fencing—at the bold reimagining of One Pace Plaza East. We asked the design team of this ambitious transformation 10 questions about what’s happening now, what’s coming next, and why it matters. Spoiler: One of the largest cranes on the East Coast makes an appearance.
The future of the arts at Pace is under construction. Inside One Pace Plaza East, Sands College of Performing Arts students and faculty are preparing to create, collaborate, and perform in spaces built for bold ideas and bright lights.