Clockwise from top left: Bimosedaa, Burlap Lofts, Como Community Center, members of the Minneapolis African American Heritage Work Group and Minneapolis African American Historic and Cultural Context Study, MSP International Airport Terminal 1 Operational Improvements Program, Peter Sussman, AIA Emeritus, Hennepin County Sumner Library, and Hall Lofts.
AIA Minneapolis, the Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission, and Preserve Minneapolis are pleased to announce the nine recipients of 2026 Minneapolis Preservation Awards.
Join us on March 5, 2026, at the Granada Theater to learn more about the winning projects and celebrate excellence in preservation. This event is free and open to the public—register to attend.
This year’s honorees represent outstanding work in three of the six award categories.
Historic Restoration, Rehabilitation, or Adaptive Reuse
Bimosedaa
Project partners: Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative; LHB, Inc.; Mattson Macdonald Young; Steen Engineering; Watson-Forsberg; Landscape Research LLC
“Bimosedaa” is the Ojibwe word for “let’s walk together.” This rehabilitation of a long-neglected, seven-story building in Minneapolis’s Warehouse District created 48 studio apartments dedicated to permanent supportive housing, primarily serving Indigenous individuals who have experienced homelessness.
Burlap Lofts
Project partners: DJR Architecture; CDT Realty Corporation; Yellow Tree Construction
This renovation revitalized two largely vacant and deteriorated warehouse buildings. The project introduced Class A office suites, a new mass timber addition connecting the structures, 10,000 square feet of retail space, and more than 7,000 square feet of shared amenity space.
Hall Lofts
Project partners: CEDARst Companies; BKV Group; RJM Construction; Loucks
Located in Minneapolis’s North Loop, this 358-unit development combines the adaptive reuse of the historic Falk and Newell buildings with The Martin, a new construction component. Together, the three buildings balance historic character with modern comfort, sustainability, and performance.
Hennepin County Sumner Library
Project partners: Hennepin County Library; LSE Architects; KMS Construction; Michaud Cooley Erickson (MCE); Pierce Pini and Associates; Damon Farber Landscape Architects; Hess Roise and Company
This major refurbishment of the beloved 1915 Carnegie library in North Minneapolis modernized the building with updated technology and sustainable features. The project also reoriented library services within the building to better serve the community.
Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport, Terminal 1 Operational Improvements Program
Project partners: Alliiance; Kraus-Anderson Construction Co.; Meyer Borgman Johnson; INSPEC; Michaud Cooley Erickson (MCE); Schuler Shook; TKDA; Kimley-Horn; 4RM+ULA; Thornton Tomasetti; BNP; VDA; Entro Communications; Field Environmental; Terracon; Via Partnership; Idibri; Jen Lewin Studio
At MSP International Airport’s Terminal 1, a long-span folded-plate concrete roof shelters a sequence of spaces shaped by decades of additions. This project carefully renovated the iconic terminal, preserving its modernist clarity while meeting contemporary passenger expectations, security requirements, and technology needs. The work thoughtfully integrates updated systems, amenities, and public art.
Grassroots Advocacy and Education
Como Community Center
Project partners: Como Community Center; MacDonald & Mack Architects; Wonder Woman Construction; Metropolis Construction; National Trust for Historic Preservation; Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation; Saving Sacred Spaces; Rethos; Preserve Minneapolis; HGA; Garden Club of Minneapolis; Minnesota State Horticultural Society
This project represents more than two decades of effort by Southeast Minneapolis neighbors to preserve the 1886 Como Congregational building. When completed, the property will serve as a vibrant community center hosting cultural and arts events, meetings, youth programming, enrichment courses, and other community-building activities.
Minneapolis African American Heritage Work Group
Members: Tiara Fard; Beverly Propes; Julia N. Moturi; Keegan Xavi; Denise Barge Jamison; Kendra N. Ellner; Tene M. Wells; Greg W. McMoore; the late Michelle K. Gibson; Brian C. Kelley; Daniel Bergin; Michelle Lincoln; Davu Seru; Minister Dr. Ora Hokes; James A. Curry
Established by the City of Minneapolis, this first-of-its-kind community advisory body guides the documentation, interpretation, and recognition of African American history and cultural heritage in Minneapolis.
Minneapolis African American Historic and Cultural Context Study
Project partners: City of Minneapolis Department of Community Planning and Economic Development; 106 Group; Minneapolis African American Heritage Work Group
This citywide preservation and public history initiative documents the presence of African Americans in Minneapolis from the early 1800s to the present. The study fills a critical gap in the city’s preservation framework by creating the first comprehensive, publicly accessible historic context for African American history and place.
Steve Murray Award
Peter Sussman, AIA Emeritus
Since the 1980s, this Minneapolis architect and community historian has served as a leader, advisor, nominator, tour guide, and lecturer in numerous preservation efforts. He exemplifies excellence in historical scholarship, dedication to protecting meaningful places, and a deep commitment to public service. His work has enriched the city’s understanding of its past and helped ensure that significant places and stories endure for future generations.
About the Partners
AIA Minneapolis is the largest of three AIA Minnesota chapters with more than 1,600 members. Centered in Minneapolis, the chapter territory includes the southwestern portion of the state. As a large chapter, AIA Minneapolis participates with other large chapters nationwide to focus attention on significant issues facing members. The chapter provides leadership, networking, and outreach opportunities for its members. Visit our website to learn more.
The Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) was formed in 1972 to serve as a citizen advisory body to the Minneapolis City Council. The HPC is part of a nation-wide network of groups dedicated to the preservation and celebration of our local and national heritage. The commission holds public hearings on matters related to preservation twice each month. Projects that come before the commission are administered through professional preservation-planning staff in the City of Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development Department (CPED). These meetings are held so that the commission can hear from the public on matters related to heritage preservation. The public is welcome to attend and highly encouraged to participate.
Preserve Minneapolis is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to promoting and celebrating the city’s historic architectural and cultural resources through advocacy, education, and public engagement. Founded in 2003, the group was originally brought together to attract the 2007 National Trust for Historic Preservation conference to the Twin Cities. Preserve Minneapolis hosts monthly discussions and tours highlighting preservation activities in Minneapolis. Visit their website to learn more.