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 an annual 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.
2021 Awards
Organizers of the Minneapolis Preservation Awards are pleased to announce that they are accepting nominations for the annual award program, which recognizes architects, developers, volunteers, enthusiasts, and preservation professionals that protect and celebrate the City’s built history. Nominations are accepted electronically and are completely free of charge.
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.
Incomplete nominations may preclude the nomination from consideration at the juror’s discretion.
Save the date!: A virtual celebration will take place on Thursday, March 18, 2021.
Register to Attend
2020 Awards
We are thrilled to announce six recipients of the 2020 Minneapolis Preservation Award. The winners will be recognized during a gala reception February 27, 2020 at the historic Pillsbury A-Mill.
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
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.