Suffolk University’s Modern Theatre project will be honored with the Paul E. Tsongas Preservation Award for its commitment to historic preservation.

Suffolk University’s restoration of the theater in Boston’s Theater District brought a new performance space to Washington Street while restoring the facade of the 1914 movie theater that introduced talkies to Boston, according to a statement. A new, 10-story residence hall set back from the theater accommodates nearly 200 students.

"The university recognized how important it was for Downtown Boston to revive its historic theater district, and we are honored that Preservation Massachusetts is recognizing our efforts on behalf of the urban environment," said John Nucci, vice president for External Affairs at Suffolk University. "Working with the city of Boston, we formulated a plan not only to meet campus housing needs, but to do so while restoring and rebuilding the Modern Theatre’s facade and creating a new theater and gallery space on Washington Street."

The new Modern Theatre opened in November 2010. Its jewel-box interior theater space draws upon design elements that are a modernization of some of the original theater’s most distinctive historic features, according to a statement.

Suffolk University collaborated with CBT Architects on the project.