Eligibility
AIA Minneapolis, the Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC), and Preserve Minneapolis invite nominations recognizing those who protect and celebrate Minneapolis’ built heritage.
Eligible projects must be located within:
- The City of Minneapolis
- Minneapolis Park System property
- MSP Airport
- The Unorganized Territory of Fort Snelling
With the exception of the Legacy Impact Award, nominated projects must have been completed between January 1, 2021, and January 1, 2026.
Individual nominees are eligible under the Steve Murray Award category.
Selection Criteria
Award recipients are selected based on their contribution to historic preservation in Minneapolis. Projects will be evaluated on:
- Quality of design, architecture, workmanship, and materials
- Sensitivity to historic character
- Positive impact on surrounding neighborhoods and communities
Award Categories
Multiple awards may be presented in each category. The jury reserves the right to reassign submissions to a different category if appropriate.
Historic Restoration, Rehabilitation, or Adaptive Reuse
This category recognizes projects in which an existing building, property, residence, landscape, or site has been:
- Restored to its original design, or
- Adapted to incorporate new elements in a way that respects, but does not replicate, the original design
Projects will be judged on design quality, craftsmanship, materials, and neighborhood impact.
Eligible projects must have been completed between January 1, 2021, and January 1, 2026.
New Construction
This category includes:
- Additions to existing structures, or
- New buildings or landscapes constructed within one of the city’s heritage preservation districts
Projects will be evaluated on:
- Compatibility with the existing building or historic district
- Quality of design, architecture, workmanship, and materials
- Impact on the surrounding neighborhood and community
Eligible projects must have been completed between January 1, 2021, and January 1, 2026.
Preservation Gem
This category recognizes smaller-scale rehabilitation projects that demonstrate excellence in preservation, such as:
- Window rehabilitation
- Stained glass restoration
- Historic porch reconstruction
- Other focused preservation efforts that support continued building use
To qualify, the building must be at least 50 years old at the time the work was completed. Projects do not need to be designated historic properties or located within historic districts.
Grassroots Advocacy and Education
This category honors individuals and organizations engaged in preservation-related advocacy, education, outreach, and community engagement. Eligible efforts may include:
- Grassroots organizing
- Public awareness campaigns
- Photography
- Published books or research
- Educational programming
- Other preservation-focused initiatives
Legacy Impact Award
The Legacy Impact Award recognizes exceptional preservation projects that:
- Have been in use or operation for at least five years
- Continue to make significant contributions to their communities
- Serve as enduring examples of excellence in preservation
This award honors both:
- The original project partners responsible for conception and completion
- The owners, stakeholders, and advocates who have ensured ongoing stewardship and maintenance
Steve Murray Award
The Steve Murray Award is the highest individual honor for preservation in Minneapolis. It recognizes an individual who has demonstrated leadership, dedication, and courage in advancing historic preservation—either within the past year or over the course of a career or lifetime.
If nominations warrant, separate awards may be presented for an emerging preservationist and a lifetime preservationist.
