AIA Minneapolis, the Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission, and Preserve Minneapolis, annually recognize projects, individuals, and organizations that celebrate the heritage and historic character of Minneapolis.
The Minneapolis Preservation Awards program is celebration that recognizes the architects, developers, volunteers, enthusiasts, and preservation professionals that protect and celebrate the City’s built history.
Award categories include preservation projects, additions to historic structures, new construction in historic districts, advocacy, and leadership. A new category is the preservation gem – recognition of a small project or detail that exhibits exceptional craft, adherence to preservation standards, and tells a good story.
2023 Awards
Eligibility
AIA Minneapolis, Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC), and Preserve Minneapolis invite you to submit nominations to recognize the architects, developers, volunteers, enthusiasts, and preservation professionals that protect and celebrate Minneapolis’ built history. All projects for nomination must be located in the City of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Park System Property, MSP Airport, or the Unorganized Territory of Fort Snelling and must have been completed between January 1, 2018, and January 1, 2023.
Categories
Historic Restoration, Rehabilitation, or Adaptive Reuse
Projects for nomination in this category are those where an existing place, property, building, residence, or landscape was either returned to its original design or was transformed to incorporate both new and old elements in a way that is respectful of, but different from, the original design. Projects will be judged based on the careful attention to the quality of design, architecture, workmanship, and materials as well as the impact of the project on the surrounding neighborhood and community. Projects must have been completed between January 1, 2018, and January 1, 2023.
New Construction
Projects for nomination in this category include additions to an existing structure or a new building or landscape was constructed in one of the city’s existing heritage preservation districts. Projects will be judged based on how the new building or addition fits in with the existing building or historic district as well as the quality of design, architecture, workmanship, and materials as well as the impact of the project on the surrounding neighborhood and community. Projects must have been completed between January 1, 2018, and January 1, 2023.
Preservation Gem
New to this year’s awards program is the Preservation Gem award. This category is intended to recognize the smaller rehabilitation projects that highlight preservation such as window rehabilitation, stained glass restoration, historic porch remodels or other smaller preservation projects that contribute to continued building reuse. To qualify, the building must be 50 years or older from the date the work was completed. Nominations in this category are not limited to designated historic buildings or those within historic districts.
Grassroots: Advocacy & Education
Recognizes individuals and organizations for a range of preservation related advocacy, education, outreach, and community engagement activities. Efforts worthy of recognition may include grassroots organizing that raises awareness and support of historic preservation or celebrates preservation in Minneapolis. Project types include, but are not limited to photography, published books or extensive research, educational programs, etc.
Steve Murray Award
The Steve Murray Award is considered the top individual honor for preservation in Minneapolis. It is awarded to an individual who has displayed leadership, courage, and dedication to heritage preservation in Minneapolis in the last year or over the course of their career or lifetime. If submissions are received for both a deserving emerging preservationist and a lifetime preservationist, multiple awards can be given.
Submission Requirements
There is no fee to submit. Submissions will be made via the online award submittal website as follows:
- Description of the nominated project, individual, or organization, not to exceed 400 words;
- Nomination justification describing why this project, individual, or organization should receive a Minneapolis Preservation Award, not to exceed 200 words;
- List of groups, firms, or individuals associated with the project, individual, or organization, including name and contact information;
- A minimum of four (4) and maximum of 12 images including photos, sketches, elevations, renderings, floor plans, letters of recommendation/support, or other documentation. For building projects, ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos are required and should be appropriately label. The Steve Murray Award recommends at least one (1) image and can also include letters of recommendation/support
Incomplete nominations may preclude the nomination from consideration at the juror’s discretion.
Submissions for 2023 will open in April.
Selection Criteria
Award recipients will be selected based on their contribution to historic preservation in Minneapolis. Projects will be judged based on their careful attention to the quality of design, architecture, workmanship, and materials, as well as their positive impact on surrounding neighborhoods and communities. Multiple awards may be issued in each category based on the review of the awards committee.
The jury will be comprised of two Minneapolis Heritage Preservation commissioners, two board members of AIA Minneapolis, and two board members from Preserve Minneapolis.
Questions?
Questions regarding the submission process for the Minneapolis Preservation Awards should be directed to Amber Allardyce or 612-767-1748.
2022 Awards
We are thrilled to announce nine recipients of the 2022 Minneapolis Preservation Award. The winners will be recognized during the 2022 Minneapolis Preservation Awards Recognition Party on May 25, 5:30 pm. Claim your free tickets
This year’s award categories included accomplishments in preservation, new construction in historic districts, advocacy, education and individual career achievement.
Historic Restoration, Rehabilitation or Adaptive Reuse
Cloverfield Building
The Dayton’s Project
Laurel Apartments
Pillsbury Hall Rehabilitation
Grassroots, Advocacy and Education
Scout Workshop
New Construction
Water Works Park and Pavilion
Preservation Gem
Carriage Door Restoration
Milwaukee Road Depot Parapet Wall and Chimney Restoration
Steve Murray Award
Peter Kirihara
Read the full press release.
2021 Awards
New Construction
Second + Second
Historic Restoration, Rehabilitation or Adaptive Reuse
Peavey Plaza
Hosmer Library
Preservation Gem
Milwaukee Avenue Porch
Grassroots, Advocacy and Education
Christina Langsdorf and Ezra Gray
Save the Boards to Memorialize the Movement
Steve Murray Award
Dick Kronick
View the full press release.
2020 Awards
Historic Restoration, Rehabilitation or Adaptive Reuse
Lowry Morrison Block
Arvonne Fraser Library Hennepin County Library
Franklin Avenue Bridge
Preservation Gem
Corrine’s House
Grassroots, Advocacy and Education
Theodore Wirth House and Administration Building on-site interpretive tours
Steve Murray Award
John Mecum, AIA
2019 Awards
Historic Restoration, Rehabilitation or Adaptive Reuse
Millworks Lofts
Maytag Building
Smyth Lofts
Thompson Flats
Preservation Gem
Christ Church Lutheran Courtyard
Municipal Building Clocks
Pillsbury A-Mill Hydroelectric Power
Grassroots, Advocacy and Education
Minneapolis Music History Project
Steve Murray Award
Elizabeth Gales
Learn more
2017 Awards
Historic Restoration, Rehabilitation, or Adaptive Reuse Project700 Central
Hewing Hotel
New Addition to an Historic Building
Residence on Emerson
Charles Frederick Keyes House
Grassroots: Advocacy & Education
4Word Homes and Design, LLC/Robin O’Brien’s Home Restoration
The Steve Murray Award
Robert M. Frame, III
View the press release.
About the Partners
AIA Minneapolis
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. View our website to learn more.
Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission
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 specifically 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
Preserve Minneapolis is a 501(c)(3) non-profit 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. Check out their website to learn more.