Preservation Merit Awards

Established in 1960, Preservation Austin’s annual Preservation Merit Awards program honors visionary approaches to preserving our city’s unique architectural, cultural, and environmental heritage. By recognizing outstanding individuals, businesses, organizations, and institutions, we hope to inspire others to carry on this important work.

The call for nominations for our 63rd Annual Preservation Merit Awards is now OPEN!

Projects must be located within the City of Austin and completed between January 1, 2021 and the application due date of August 11, 2023. Click the link below for more info and to submit.

more info

Preservation awards

Preservation Awards honor the preservation, rehabilitation, and restoration of historic and recent past properties; outstanding infill and sympathetic additions which enhance the historic fabric; the preservation of a cultural landscape; and sustainability projects and initiatives which respect properties’ historic character.

stewardship awards

Stewardship Awards honor ongoing efforts to care for, manage, and maintain historic resources.

special recognition awards

Special Recognition Awards honor those who have exhibited leadership in preservation. This includes outstanding public service through advocacy, public projects, neighborhood preservation, or research; the craftspeople who maintain and restore our historic resources; educational programs, curricula, or informational tools that focus on preservation and history; and outstanding media coverage of preservation issues by reporters, writers, publishers and publications.

Eligible projects for this juried program must be located within the City of Austin. Calls for nominations are announced every summer, followed by awards announcements in the fall.

2022 preservation merit awards

BLUEBONNET HOUSE
Recipient: Nick and Brianna Adams
Preservation Award for Rehabilitation

Project by Dick Clark + Associates and Josh Speck Construction

Photo: Jake Holt

DOWNS FIELD
Recipient: Austin Parks and Recreation Department
Preservation Award for Rehabilitation

Project by Brown & Root Industrial Services

Photo: Courtesy of Austin Parks and Recreation Department

HASKELL HOUSE
Recipient: Austin Parks and Recreation Department
Preservation Award for Rehabilitation

Project by Phoenix 1 Restoration & Construction and Empire Roofing

Photo: Courtesy of Austin Parks and Recreation Department

LUTHER HALL
Recipient: Texas Historical Commission
Preservation Award for Restoration

Project by Texas Historical Commission and Western Specialty Contractors

Photo: Charles Peveto

THERESA PASSIVE HOUSE
Recipient: Trey Farmer
Preservation Award for Sustainability

Project by Forge Craft Architecture & Design, Hugh Jefferson Randolph Architects, and Clean Tag LLC

Photo: Casey Dunn

THE HANGAR
Recipient: Lamar Takeoff LLC/Garden 17
Stewardship Award

Photo: Patrick Y. Wong

CAROLINE WRIGHT
Special Recognition for Public Service

Photo: Courtesy of Mid Tex Mod

MARY REED
Special Recognition for Public Service

Photo: Courtesy of Mary Reed

NEILL-COCHRAN HOUSE MUSEUM
Special Recognition for Education: The Austin Slave Quarters Experience: A Weekend for Community

Photo: Tina Clark, Eric Coleman Photography

AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT – OAKWOOD CEMETERY CHAPEL
Special Recognition for Education: “To Relate” Educational Exhibit

Photo: Grey Ellis

AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION HISTORIC PRESERVATION & TOURISM PROGRAM – PARQUE ZARAGOZA
Special Recognition for Education: Parque Zaragoza: Communidad, Cultura, y Resiliencia Documentary Film

Photo: Courtesy of Austin Parks and Recreation Department

2021 Preservation Merit Awards

ACC RIO GRANDE
Recipient: Austin Community College
Preservation Award for Rehabilitation

Photo: Dror Baldinger

CASTLE COURT OFFICES
Recipient: Peter Pincoffs
Preservation Award for Restoration

Photo: Rob Gomez

ENFIELD CONDOS
Recipient: Hospitality Organization, LLC
Preservation Award for Rehabilitation + Addition

Photo: Andrea Calo

FRENCH LEGATION
Recipient: Texas Historical Commission
Preservation Award for Restoration

Photo: Brian Mihealsick

JOHN & DRUCIE CHASE BUILDING
Recipient: The University of Texas at Austin
Preservation Award for Rehabilitation

Photo: Bret Brookshire

TRAVIS COUNTY PROBATE COURTHOUSE
Recipient: Travis County
Preservation Award for Rehabilitation + Sustainability

Photo: Casey Dunn

TUDOR COTTAGE AT KINGSBURY COMMONS
Recipient: Pease Park Conservancy
Preservation Award for Rehabilitation

Photo: Ten Eyck

THE CONTEMPORARY AUSTIN
Stewardship Award for Laguna Gloria

Photo: Brian Fitzsimmons

ATX BARRIO ARCHIVE
Special Recognition for Public Service + Media

Photo: ATX Barrio Archive

CITY OF AUSTIN PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT - OAKWOOD CEMETERY CHAPEL
Special Recognition for Education: All Together Here

Photo: Ryan Coursey

ROGERS-WASHINGTON-HOLY CROSS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
Special Recognition for Public Service: Rogers-Washington-Holy Cross Historic District

Photo: Lauren Kerr

TRAVIS HEIGHTS-FAIRVIEW PARK HISTORIC DISTRICT TEAM
Special Recognition for Public Service: Travis Heights-Fairview Park National Register Historic District

Photo: Meghan King

TERRI MYERS
Special Recognition for Public Service

Photo: Courtesy of Kristen Brown

STEVE SADOWSKY
Lifetime Achievement Award

Photo: Courtesy of Elizabeth Brummett

2020 preservation merit awards

BAKER SCHOOL

Recipient: Tim & Karrie League
Preservation Award for Rehabilitation
Project by Weiss Architecture and Zapalac Reed Construction

Photo by Atelier Wong Photography

MARY BAYLOR HOUSE

Recipient: Thomas Schiefer and Meghann Rosales
Preservation Award for Rehabilitation
Project by Thomas Schiefer and Meghann Rosales

Photo by Ana Sierra

BKCW INSURANCE

Recipient: Meredith & Tyler Spears
Preservation Award for Rehabilitation
Project by Mark Odom Studio and Franklin-Alan

Photo by Leonid Furmansky

THE CARPENTER HOTEL

Recipient: The Mighty Union
Preservation Award for Rehabilitation and Addition
Project by Specht Architects and DPR Construction

Photo by Chase Daniel

CENTRAL MACHINE WORKS

Recipient: Aaron Ashmore, Andrew Ashmore, Rosa Santis, John Scott
Preservation Award for Rehabilitation
Project by Maker Architects, Kartwheel Studio, GC IE2

Photo by Andrea Calo

THE PERCH

Recipient: Jeff Harper and Mark Seeger
Preservation Award for Rehabilitation and Restoration
Project by Jay Farrell, Architect and 22 Construction

Photo by Leonid Furmansky

COMMODORE PERRY ESTATE

Recipient: Clark Lyda
Preservation Award for Rehabilitation and Cultural Landscape
Project by Clayton & Little and Rogers-O’Brien Construction

Photo by Chase Daniel

ROSEWOOD

Recipient: Chas & Laura Spence, Jesse DeLeon
Preservation Award for Rehabilitation
Project by Mark Odom Studio and Fine Line Construction

Photo by Chase Daniel

SHIPE PARK SHELTER HOUSE

Recipient: City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department, Friends of Shipe Park, Austin Parks Foundation
Preservation Award for Rehabilitation
Project by PARD and Phoenix I Restoration and Construction, Ltd

Photo by Lindsey Derrington

OLD AUSTIN NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

Special Recognition for Public Service: Historic Resource Survey of Downtown Austin

PUBLIC CITY

Special Recognition for Education: EastLink Trail Interpretive Placemaking Plan Engagement

2019 Preservation Merit Awards

Avenue C Redevelopment

Recipient: David Rudick
Preservation Award for Infill and Addition
Photo by Andrea Calo

BARROW HOUSE

Recipient: Chris Hyams and Lize Burr
Preservation Award for Rehabilitation

BUAAS HOUSE

Recipient: 806 Baylor LLC
Preservation Award for Restoration

FIVE YARD HOUSE

Recipient: Thomas Bentley & Carol Rylander
Preservation Award for Rehabilitation and Addition
Photo by Paul Finkel | Piston Design

GOODMAN BUILDING

Recipient: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas
Preservation Award for Rehabilitation
Photo by Charles Peveto

A. J. JERNIGAN HOUSE

Recipient: Michael and Maureen Metteauer
Preservation Award for Rehabilitation and Addition
Photo by Leonid Furmansky

WENDE BUNGALOW

Recipient: Harmony Grogan & Jacob Scheick
Preservation Award for Rehabilitation
Photo by Leonid Furmansky

WILL AND NOEL BRIDGES

for Stewardship of Austin’s Cultural Landmarks

WATERLOO GREENWAY CONSERVANCY

for Stewardship of Symphony Square
Photo by Leonid Furmansky

MARK VAN GELDER

Special Recognition for Craftsmanship: Austin History Center Mural Restoration
Photo by Cyrus Yerxa

GUADALUPE ASSOCIATION FOR AN IMPROVED NEIGHBORHOOD

Special Recognition for Public Service: Robertson/Stuart & Mair Historic District
Image: HHM & Associates

DOWNTOWN AUSTIN ALLIANCE

Special Recognition Award for Education: Our Austin Story
Photo by Fermata, Inc.

2018 Preservation Merit Awards

220 SOUTH CONGRESS

Recipient: Cielo Property Group
Preservation Award for Rehabilitation
Project by Gensler

308 E. 35TH

Recipient: Steven Baker and Jeff SimecekPreservation Award for AdditionProject by T. McIntyre Associates, Inc.

409 COLORADO

Recipient: David ZedeckPreservation Award for RehabilitationProject by Forge Craft Architecture + Design; Image by Clayton Holmes

AUSTIN STATE HOSPITAL

Recipient: Health & Human Services Commission
Preservation Award for Restoration
Project by Braun & Butler Construction; Image by Nathan Barry

COLLIER HOUSE

Recipient: Georgia Keith Preservation Award for Addition Project by Elizabeth Baird Architecture & Design; Image by Andrea Calo

O. HENRY HALL

Recipient: Texas State University System
Preservation Award for Rehabilitation
Project by the Lawrence Group and O’Connell Architecture; Image by O'Connell Architecture

OAKWOOD CEMETERY CHAPEL

Recipient: City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department
Preservation Award for Restoration
Project by Hatch + Ulland Owen Architects

SOLARIUM

Recipient: Don Kerth
Preservation Award for Addition
Project by Jobe Corral Architects; Image by Casey Woods Photography

SPARKS HOUSE

Recipient: Suzanne and Terry Burgess
Preservation Award for Restoration

ST. EDWARD'S UNIVERSITY MAIN BUILDING + HOLY CROSS HALL

Recipient: St. Edward's University
Preservation Award for Rehabilitation and Restoration
Project by Baldridge Architects and Architexas; Image by Architexas

TUCKER-WINFIELD APARTMENTS

Recipient: Elayne Winfield Lansford
Preservation Award for Rehabilitation
Project by O’Connell Architecture

TWIN HOUSES

Recipient: Ada Corral and Camille Jobe
Preservation Award for Addition
Project by Jobe Corral Architects; Images by Casey Woods Photography

TWIN HOUSES

Recipient: Ada Corral and Camille Jobe
Preservation Award for Addition
Project by Jobe Corral Architects; Images by Casey Woods Photography

E. P. WILMOT HOUSE

Recipient: John C. Horton III
Preservation Award for Rehabilitation
Project by Clayton & Little

BETA XI HOUSE ASSOCIATION

STEWARDSHIP AWARDS
for Stewardship of the Beta Xi Kappa Kappa Gamma House

FORKLIFT DANCEWORKS

SPECIAL RECOGNITION
Special Recognition for “My Park, My Pool, My City”
Image by Rae Fredericks

PHOEBE ALLEN

Lifetime Achievement

FOR LA RAZA

Recipient: Arte Texas, Art in Public Places, Parks and Recreation Department & Austin Energy
Preservation Award for Preservation of a Cultural Landscape
Robert Herrera and Oscar Cortez

2017 Preservation Merit Awards

DARNALL HOUSE

Recipient: Tadd and Holly Lanham
Preservation Award for Rehabilitation
Project by Atlantis Architects; Image by Leonid Furmansky

GREEN PASTURES

Recipient: Greg Porter
Preservation Award for Rehabilitation
Project by Clayton & Little Architects; Image: Nick Simonite

MEGABUS

Recipient: Bob Woody
Preservation Award for Rehabilitation
Project by Derrington Building Studio; Image: Chase Daniel

OWINGS-ALLEN-MILLER HOUSE

Recipient: Keikhosrow and Homa Kavoussi
Preservation Award for Rehabilitation
Project by Holland Architectural

TEXAS STATE CAPITOL EXTERIOR PRESERVATION PROJECT

Recipient: State Preservation Board
Preservation Award for Restoration and Special Recognition Award for Craftsmanship
Kevin Koch, AIA, State Preservation Board; Image: State Preservation Board

THORNE HOUSE

Recipient: David and Tracey Hime
Preservation Award for Rehabilitation and Addition
Project by Clayton & Little Architects; Image: Nick Simonite

YOUNG HOUSE

Recipient: Erica and David Heroy
Preservation Award for Addition
Project by Erica Keast Heroy, Architect; Image: Casey Woods

SHALOM AUSTIN

for Stewardship of B’nai Abraham Brenham Historic Synagogue
Project by Clayton & Little Architects; Image: Myles Shaftel

SIX SQUARE: AUSTIN'S BLACK CULTURAL DISTRICT

with the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department, City of Austin Public Works Department, Huston-Tillotson University, and the Rosewood Neighborhood Association
for Stewardship of Downs Field
Project by Hatch + Ulland Owen; Image: Lindsey Derrington

2016 Preservation Merit Awards

500 CHICON

Recipient: Texas Society of Architects
Preservation Award for Sustainability
Project by Lawrence Group and Flynn Construction. Photograph by Kevin Halliburton, AIA.

HIGHLAND AVENUE BUNGALOW

Recipient: Nick and Kathleen Deaver
Preservation Award for Contemporary Addition to an Historic Building
Project by Nick Deaver, Architect. Photograph by Whit Preston,www.whitpreston.com

CEMETERY MASTER PLAN + OAKWOOD ANNEX LADIES RESTROOM

Recipient: City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department
Special Recognition for Outstanding Planning + Preservation of Cultural Landscape
Project by PARD with AmaTerra Environmental, McDoux Preservation, and John Milner Associates

NEILL-COCHRAN HOUSE MUSEUM

Recipient: National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in Texas
Preservation Award for Restoration
Project by VOH Architects and J. Pinnelli Company. Photograph by Bill McCullough.

NORTH AUSTIN ELECTRIC SUBSTATION AT SPARKY POCKET PARK

Recipient: City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department
Preservation Award for Rehabilitation
Project by Hatch + Ulland Owen. Photograph by Twist Tours.

ARNO NOWOTNY BUILDING

Recipient: University of Texas at Austin
Preservation Award for Restoration
Project by ARCHITEXAS.

DR. DONALD AND MARJORIE POHL HOUSE

Recipient: Trisha and Douglas Shepard
Preservation Award for Rehabilitation
Project by Trisha Shepard. Photograph by Trey McWhorter, courtesy ofMid Tex Mod

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD CEMETERY MASTER PLAN + OAKWOOD ANNEX LADIES RESTROOM

Recipient: City of Austin Parks & Recreation Department
Special Recognition for Outstanding Planning + Preservation of Cultural Landscape

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD SAVE MUNY

Special Recognition for Outstanding Public Service: Lions Municipal Golf Course National Register Listing

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD JILL AND STEPHEN WILKINSON

Special Recognition for Outstanding Public Service: Neighborhood Preservation in Aldridge Place and Heritage Neighborhoods
Projects by Jay Farrell, Architect. Photograph by Jay Farrell.

2015 Preservation Merit Awards

COVERT MONUMENT RESTORATION

Covert Park at Mount Bonnell, 3800 Mount Bonnell Road
City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department for Restoration

FAIR MARKET

1100 East Fifth Street
11E5 LLC (Dennis McDaniel and Richard Kooris) for Rehabilitation

SEAHOLM POWER PLANT

800 West Cesar Chavez Street
Seaholm Power, LLC c/o Southwest Strategies Group, Inc. for Rehabilitation

SPLITROCK

2815 Wooldridge Drive
Edward Tasch and Anne Crawford for Sustainability

YARRINGTON-CHAPIN HOUSE

309 Park Lane
Elizabeth and Nathaniel Chapin for Rehabilitation

AUSTIN THEATRE ALLIANCE FOR STEWARDSHIP OF THE PARAMOUNT AND STATESIDE THEATRES

SPECIAL RECOGNITION BLUE BONNET HILLS

LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICT ORGANIZERS FOR ADVOCACY AND NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVATION

2014 preservation merit awards

A.D. STENGER HOUSE

Recipient: Josh and Erin Bernstein
Rehabilitation of the Recent Past

JEFFREY'S COMPOUND

Recipient: McGuire Moorman Hospitality
Rehabilitation including Jeffrey's, Josephine House, and the Garage Office

WOOLDRIDGE SQUARE PARK

Recipient: City of Austin’s Parks & Recreation Department
Preservation of a Cultural Heritage Landscape

SAMPSON-NALLE HOUSE

Recipient: 1003, FLP
Restoration

FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS

Rehabilitation & Adaptive Use

COVERT-CARRINGTON HOUSE

Recipient: Texas Historical Commission
Stewardship

GETHSEMANE LUTHERAN CHURCH

Recipient: Texas Historical Commission
Stewardship

LUTHER HALL

Recipient: Texas Historical Commission Stewardship

ELROSE BUILDING

Recipient: Texas Historical Commission Stewardship

CHRISTIANSON-LEBERMAN BUILDING

Recipient: Texas Historical Commission
Stewardship

2013 preservation merit awards

DEDRICK_HAMILTON HOUSE & THE AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL HERITAGE FACILITY

Recipient: City of Austin
Historic Restoration and Infill

GERHARD-SCHOCH HOUSE

Recipient: Catherine & George Cary
Historic Restoration

MIZE-ZUBER-HAMNER HOUSE

Recipient: Karen Saadeh & David Matthis
Historic Rehabilitation

THE BROKEN SPOKE

Recipient: Annetta & James White
Maintaining an Austin Cultural Icon

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD JULIAN O. READ

CRAFTSMANSHIP BILL BREAUX & JANINE BERGIN

STEWARDSHIP CITY OF AUSTIN PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT

2012 preservation merit awards

COMMODORE PERRY ESTATE

4100 Red River Street
Perry Estate, LLC for Restoration

TEXAS GOVERNOR'S MANSION

1010 Colorado Street
Texas State Preservation Board for Restoration

HILLSIDE FARMACY

1209 E. 11th Street
Mickie Spencer, Greg & Jade Mathews, Sonya Cote, Wilson Brandt for Preservation

CAMP MABRY BUILDINGS 10 & 11

2200 W. 35th Street
Texas Military Forces, Adjutant General’s Department

STEWARDSHIP HOPKINS HOUSE

1300 W. 9 1/2 Street
Sarah & Andrew McCalla

STEWARDSHIP TOP NOTCH

7525 Burnet Road
Kelly Chappell, Jay Bunda, Chris Courtney, and Phillip Santa Cruz for Maintaining a Cultural Icon

STEWARDSHIP DOWNTOWN AUSTIN PLAN

City of Austin

2011 preservation merit awards

ALBERTO GARCIA HOUSE

Recipient: Melanie Martinez
Preservation

CENOTE

Recipient: Cody Symington
Preservation

AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK BUILDING (STARR BUILDING)

Recipient: Starr Colorado Partners, LP
Preservation

PETER PAN MINI GOLF

Recipient: Dismukes Family
Maintaining an Austin Cultural Icon

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

Recipient: SAVE AUSTIN'S CEMETERIES
Public Service

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

Recipient: WAYNE BELL, FAIA

MCCULLOCH HOUSE

Recipient: Susana & William Gimson
Preservation