Historic Savannah Foundation (HSF) held a virtual celebration of preservation in our community with its annual Preservation Awards. The nonprofit institution presented awards to individuals, organizations, and companies who embody and practice excellence in preservation in Savannah and Chatham County. 

The awards ceremony, which was available earlier this evening exclusively to HSF members and supporters only, is now available for viewing on HSF’s website, myhsf.org. The virtual presentation was produced by Tabitha Walker with Big Hair Productions. 

During the awards ceremony, Historic Savannah Foundation recognized 10 projects and individuals, including: 

• Nichola Parker Coe Volunteer of the Year winner: Gregori Anderson; Parliamentarian  of the HSF Board of Trustees and Chair of the HSF Building Committee
• President’s Award: Victory Drive & Atlantic Crossing
  Owner: City of Savannah
  Contractor: City of Savannah Office of Infrastructure 

• Restoration Project: 521 E. 45th Street

Owner: Dan & Jill Walters

Architect: Bede Van Dyke 

• Restoration Project: The Drayton Hotel

Owner: Raghav Sapra

Architect: Lynch Associates Architects, PC

Contractor: The Pinyan Company 

• New Project: Plant Riverside

Owner: Richard Kessler

Architect: Christian Sottile, Sottile & Sottile

Contractor: Hunt Construction/AECOM

• Restoration Project: 432 Abercorn Street/Benjamin Wilson House

Owner: Stephen and Kathleen Brenneman

Architect: Josh Ward, AIA, Ward Architecture + Preservation

Contractor: Anthony Koncul, JAK Homes

• Restoration Project: Starland Rehab (3 properties): 19-21, 23 & 101 E. 40th Street

Owner: Brent Watts

Architect: Josh Ward, AIA, Ward Architecture + Preservation

Contractor: Anthony Koncul, JAK Homes

• Restoration Project: 625 E. Broad Street

Owner: Michael Higgins

Contractor: Steven Bodek

• Restoration Project: 429 Bull Street/Mercer Williams House Museum

Owner: Dorothy Kingery

Contractor: Choate Construction Company

• Restoration Project: Ward Mausoleum

Owner: City of Savannah - Cemeteries Division

Contractor: Landmark Preservation, LLC

The Historic Savannah Foundation received 20 entries for these awards and are grateful for each submission received. 

“We’re thrilled to honor the people, companies and organizations that work so hard to preserve Savannah’s history and charm, which is responsible for so much of this city’s allure and visitor appeal,” HSF President and CEO Sue Adler said. “We cannot thank the members, staff, supporters, and sponsors of Historic Savannah Foundation enough for making this evening special.” 

Preservation Award nominations were judged by an independent, all-volunteer jury selected for their expertise in the realm of architecture, preservation and design. The jury used the following general criteria:

• Quality and degree of difficulty of the nominee’s project 
• Degree to which the nominee’s project or effort is unusual or pioneering, or serves as an example that influences good preservation practices 
• Demonstrable or measurable impact of nominee’s project on the community

HSF's 2021 Preservation Awards are made possible by Major Sponsor K Machine Industrial Services with general sponsorships from Brooks Construction Group, CS Hurd Electrical Contractors, Felder & Associates, Mingledorff's, Inc., and Nancy & Gary Radke with additional support by HSF Annual Partners Kole Management Company, Cabretta Capital, Georgia Power, and Minis & Company, with special partner Shamrock Drones and media sponsor Lesley Francis Public Relations. 

Historic Savannah Foundation, a leading nonprofit preservation and cultural institution, saves buildings, places, and stories that define Savannah’s past, present, and future. Following its formation in 1955, the organization started a Revolving Fund to save endangered historic properties, now totaling 410 buildings throughout several of Savannah’s historic districts. HSF continues to build capacity within its operations, secure new financial resources, improve its image and visibility, and increase public policy efforts to protect Savannah’s historic districts. For more information about the work of the Historic Savannah Foundation, visit www.myhsf.org.