People dining indoors at night with large windows overlooking a city skyline illuminated by lights.

Cheers to 25 Years of Open House New York!

MAY 12, 2026

Last Tuesday, 300 leaders from the design, cultural, and civic sectors—many glimmering in silver—joined Open House New York atop 3 World Trade Center for the 2026 Open City Benefit, raising more than $500,000 to support our public programs.

Congratulations to our inspiring honorees Lisa Silverstein, CEO, Silverstein Properties; Lillian Valenti, Chief Emeritus, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; and Open House New York founder, Scott Lauer.

Together, we celebrated the power of opening doors and bringing people together to share the experience of the city.

We are grateful to our community for making this evening possible. Cheers to the next 25 years!

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A woman speaks at a podium with an Open House New York sign, in front of a large window.

Lisa Silverstein

Two women smiling and holding an award on stage at an Open House New York event.

Kathryn Garcia (left) with Lillian Valenti (right)

A speaker presents at a formal event with seated guests and city lights visible through large windows.

Scott Lauer

Three people in business attire are having a conversation at an indoor networking event or gathering.

Janno Lieber (center)

A woman and a man smile at an indoor event with several other people in the background.

Kathryn Garcia (left) with Josh Wiener (right)

Five people, dressed formally, pose together and smile in a modern, industrial-style event space.

Left to right: Benjamin Prosky, Claudia Herasme, Elizabeth Kubany, Kadean Bruce-Miller, Elizabeth Leber

Two women smiling and posing together at a modern indoor event with a bar and city view in the background.

Liz Neumark (right) with guest

Three people smiling and posing together at an indoor social event, holding drinks, with others in the background.

Kristin LaBuz (center) with Patrick McAffrey (right) and guest

A man raises a number card at a lively auction dinner, surrounded by people clapping at decorated tables.

"Successful spaces are not closed systems, but open spaces shaped by the people within them, who create a pulse for the building."

—Lisa Silverstein, CEO, Silverstein Properties, Builder Award recipient

People gather in a modern glass lobby with a large orange sculpture suspended from the ceiling.

A man in a suit presents to a small group in front of a MASTER PLAN display with architectural images.

Large paintings of construction workers are displayed in an unfinished indoor space, with people walking between them.

"At a time of profound loss and uncertainty, Open House New York offered something essential: a reminder that access—to knowledge, to space, and to one another—is fundamental to a resilient and vibrant city."

—Lillian Valenti, Chief Emeritus, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Open House New Yorker Award recipient

People view architectural models and displays in a modern, industrial-style gallery with large windows and flags.

Two people smile and gesture toward a wall display of various colorful photographs in a concrete room.

A display table with colorful brochures in a modern room; people gather and talk in the background.

"Open House New York is a testament to the generosity of New Yorkers. Whether you think of the city as a melting pot, a concrete jungle, or, simply, Gotham, I hope you'll continue to engage, explore, learn, support, and have fun doing it all—with Open House New York."

—Scott Lauer, Founder, Open House New York, Open City Award recipient

Four men dressed in festive attire smiling and posing together at an indoor event.

Two men smile and chat while holding drinks at a lively indoor party with purple lighting.

Smiling man in suit holds a silver hat beside a woman with long gray and purple hair, both indoors.

"Opening a door invites people in. It replaces passivity with participation, loneliness with connection. It reminds folks that they don't just live in New York—they can help shape its future."

—Kristin LaBuz, Executive Director, Open House New York

A woman walks between tables at a lively, formal dinner event, holding a bucket and smiling.

A woman speaks to a small group indoors while a man holds a welcome sign and people listen.

2026_Open_City_Benefit_Jenna_Bascom_Photography_260_xe5bmi

IT TAKES A CITY

Our deepest thanks to everyone who helped create this unforgettable evening: Michiko Ashida, Eddie Dillard, Great Performances, Jenna Bascom Photography, Legato Productions, Dara McQuillan, Charlie "Stand clear of the opening doors, please!" Pellett, PS New York, Radii Inc., Marcus Robinson, Saint James Joy, Scenes LLC, Silverstein Properties, Soho Repro, Soundhouse AV Rentals, CK Swett, and Swoon. And of course, lots of love to the incredible crew of OHNY volunteers who helped make this evening, and all of our programs, possible.

Photos: Jenna Bascom Photography