2011 Preservation Awards
Cleveland Restoration Society
Cleveland, OH
AWARD for preserving Cleveland’s historic neighborhoods since its founding in 1972 by impressive programs that include technical advice to property owners, loan assistance for approved restoration projects, and community outreach through classes, tours, and publications.
The Society has grown over forty years from a handful of volunteers to an organization with a $1 million budget and a staff of ten professionals. Its creative programs have revitalized and stabilized neighborhoods throughout the city, resulting in restoration projects totaling $84.8 million, technical advice to 3,460 homeowners, and low interest loans to 8,903 residents.
Its innovative initiatives include its church steeple lighting program and the saving of major individual landmarks, as well as presenting annual preservation awards, conducting 30 free classes and tours each year, and producing a magazine and monthly newsletter.
Website: www.ClevelandRestoration.org
Eastern Market
Washington, DC
AWARD for the thoughtful restoration and rehabilitation of this 1873/1908 historic structure, after damage by a disastrous fire in 2007, that has revitalized and enhanced its continuing use as a public market.
Designed by local architect Adolph Cluss, the market has been in continuous use for its original purpose for over 130 years. After the fire closed the market, the city constructed a temporary building across the street to keep the market operating while a $9 million reconstruction was underway. The restoration opened the long-closed skylight in the roof, installed a modern HVAC system, modernized the lighting and other systems, and repaired all external and internal fire damage. The rehabilitated market draws customers not only from its Capitol Hill neighborhood but from across the city as well.
Website: www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Market,_Washington,_D.C.
Carson-Pirie Scott Department Store, (now Sullivan Building)
Chicago, IL
AWARD for its state-of-the-art exterior restoration that included replication of important missing decorative elements of this 1899 National Historic Landmark, one of the most significant works of architect Louis Sullivan.
After purchasing the property in 2001, Joseph Freed & Associates spent $200 million over a ten year period in restoring and renovating this Chicago landmark. The work included replication of the building’s elaborate cornice that had been removed; the dismantling, restoration, and reinstallation of 5,000 decorative cast iron elements that are the structure’s signature; and the cleaning and repair of the building’s terracotta facades.
Renamed in honor of its famous architect, the building currently houses a mixed use of offices, an art school, a restaurant, and retail businesses.
Website:www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carson_Pirie_Scott_and_Company_Building
Chateau-sur-Mer
Newport, RI
AWARD for the meticulous exterior restoration of this National Historic Landmark, the first of Newport’s new era of Gilded Age mansions, that was designed by three architects over the period 1852-1915, and has been open to the public as a house museum since 1969.
The mansion owes its current appearance largely to its expansion in the Second Empire Style by architect Richard Morris Hunt in 1873-80. It remained in the Wetmore family until purchased with its original furnishings in 1969 by the Preservation Society of Newport County.
Water and wind damage over the years necessitated a complete exterior restoration that included removal, cleaning, and reinstallation of the slate roof; restoration of skylights, ornamental ironwork, and woodwork; and replication of the metal veranda roof. The house is a focus of study for the Victorian Society’s Newport Summer School.
Websites www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chateau-sur-Mer
www.NewportMansions.org/learn/preserving-Chateau-sur-Mer
Ladd Carriage House
Portland, OR
AWARD for the preservation and rehabilitation of this impressive 1883 stable, the only surviving structure of a once-grand estate, that was saved through heroic effort after years of neglect and threatened demolition.·
This carriage house is the only residential building remaining in downtown Portland from the grand Victorian mansions that once graced the city. Designed by architect Joseph Sherwin and constructed at a cost of $24,000, the large structure was occupied by various tenants before falling into serious disrepair. Purchased in 2005 for demolition for a high rise development, the building was saved by an outcry from local citizens.
In a compromise with the developer, the carriage house was moved to a temporary location, while excavation was undertaken for underground parking, and then moved back to its original site. The $1.5 million restoration was completed by Venerable Properties LLC.
Union Street Railroad Bridge
Salem, OR
AWARD for the remarkable restoration of this obsolete 1913 bridge and for its adaptive re-use as a pedestrian and bicycle crossing that has become a popular destination and source of community pride.
This vertical-lift bridge represented state-of-the-art engineering when originally constructed. By 1990, however, the bridge had outlived its usefulness and was abandoned. The City of Salem acquired title to the bridge in 2004 for $1 and, through funding from federal, state, city, and private sources undertook a complete restoration and transformation of the bridge. The result is a much-used pedestrian and bicycle crossing that connects Downtown Salem with West Salem. The conversion included construction of new decking, installation of railings and lighting, and provision of scenic overlook platforms.·