Opened in 1912, the George W. Adair Elementary School served the Adair Park neighborhood for 60 years before closing in the 1970s. Used intermittently for the next 30 years, it was left empty in the 2000s becoming a source of blight in the neighborhood. The building had extensive water damage throughout. After an arduous acquisition process, the development team replaced the roof and created a floor plan to keep the physical layout unchanged while stabilizing the structure. Most of the original windows had been lost and new custom windows were fabricated. In addition to 10 units of affordable housing for artists, Academy Lofts features five market-rate apartment units, 20 additional affordable housing units, a coffee shop/restaurant and event venue, and nonprofit office space. Partnerships with community nonprofits also provide supportive housing, health care, and counseling services for residents formerly experiencing homelessness. A creative combination of tax credits and grants were used to make the project a reality and the building is now poised to resume its role as a thriving center of community activity.

The Marguerite Williams Award is presented annually to the project that has had the greatest impact on preservation in the state.

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The Grantville Passenger Depot was constructed in 1895 by the Atlanta and Westpoint Railway. It ceased being used for passenger service by the middle of the twentieth century and ownership was transferred to the city. The building was re-purposed as the police station and offices before sitting vacant for a number of years. In 2018, with the appropriation of SPLOST funding, Grantville initiated the rehabilitation of the building for a combination community meeting space and visitor information center. The first phase of the project consisted of the rehabilitation of the building’s exterior. Original windows were refurbished and reinstalled, and the siding and trim were repainted to reflect the historic color scheme as determined through paint analysis. The roof was replaced with a pressed tin shingle replicated from historic photos. The second phase focused on the full rehabilitation of the interior. Missing historic elements were restored including two ticket windows and a period coal stove in the waiting room. This project has set a standard for rehabilitation work in downtown Grantville, and sets a strong example for other municipalities to follow with their own historic buildings.

The Chairman’s Award is presented at the sole discretion of the Georgia Trust Chairman of the Board of Trustees to recognize extraordinary efforts contributing to the preservation of Georgia’s historic resources.

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The Braselton Cotton Gin was constructed in 1920 by the Braselton Brothers as part of a larger complex of structures in the downtown section of the city they founded. Now situated on what has become Braselton’s main street, the building is now home to a restaurant and  brewery. The project incorporates a modern, industrial feel using steel and glass to create new uses within the building. The historic steel frame and corrugated steel skin were retained on the front and sides of the building, while the back wall was modified with openings to a rear patio. The carefully planned modifications maintained the original authentic character and open spaces of the Cotton Gin while creating a new and inventive gathering spot for the community. This project has been a major contributor to the town of Braselton’s downtown growth.

The Michael L. Starr Award was created in 2020 in memory of Mike Starr, former Board Chair of the Georgia Trust and the Georgia Cities Foundation. This award honors the rehabilitation of a downtown historic building which best exemplifies the highest standards of historic rehabilitation and has a significant impact on the downtown of the city in which it is located.

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Originally the home of Governor John Milledge, Overton was built on land inherited by Milledge’s wife after moving from Savannah in 1799. The house was significantly remodeled in the 1890s and again in 1910. The current owners acquired the house in 2019 and began restoration. The project involved saving and restoring the 1910 design and features, while addressing 21st century needs. Notable things that were preserved in the house include curly heart pine ceilings in the Butler’s Pantry, original plaster throughout, hardwood flooring, original doors and hardware, and the portico and porches. As one of Augusta’s landmark residential properties, both for its architectural and historical significance, this restoration ensures that Overton remains a vital presence in the Summerville Historic District.

Awards for Excellence in Restoration recognize exemplary restoration of historic structures. An accurate restoration project depicts the form, features and character of a historic building as it appeared at a particular period of time. Restoration requires sensitive upgrading of mechanical systems and other code-required work to make the site functional.

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Originally built in 1894 with 1920s additions, Pope’s Museum was the home of artist Laura Pope Forester. The porches of the home are embellished with Pope Forester’s artistry, made from model T wheels, sewing machine legs, and other found pieces, giving the appearance of lacey gingerbread ornamentation. The building’s rehabilitation included restoration of wall murals and the repair and replacement of the flooring to match the historic pine. The fireplace was replaced, but the historic mirror, mantel, and surround were saved. Several paintings and statues by Pope Forester that were removed by previous owners were returned to the museum, and the statuary surrounding the home was cleaned and treated. The museum also operates as a vacation rental and wedding venue, boosting the local economy and serving as a community focal point.

Awards for Excellence in Restoration recognize exemplary restoration of historic structures. An accurate restoration project depicts the form, features and character of a historic building as it appeared at a particular period of time. Restoration requires sensitive upgrading of mechanical systems and other code-required work to make the site functional.

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The Academic Center for Excellence Skills Center is a mid-century modern building at Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus. After previous partial and insensitive renovations, the recent project involved upgrades to meet current building codes and a comprehensive re-purposing of interior spaces. The original second-floor balcony, which had been enclosed was reopened, restoring a significant element of the original design. On the exterior, the characteristic brise soleil wall on the west façade, which was out of plumb and structurally failing, was carefully dismantled and rebuilt. Renamed “Canes Central,” the building now provides an exceptional resource for students.

Excellence in Rehabilitation Awards recognize projects that make compatible use of a building through repair, alterations or additions while preserving features of the property that convey its historic value.

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Originally named “Paces Ferry Tower,” this 1951 apartment building was designed in the International Style by architect James C. Wise and was briefly the tallest structure in Buckhead. In its recent rehabilitation and hotel conversion, exterior restoration efforts required infill of the solid masonry walls and preservation of historic aluminum windows. Interior considerations focused on maintaining the original corridors on the upper floors and restoring circulation on the ground floor after a previous renovation upended the original design. An addition to house a commercial kitchen was designed to be compatible but differentiated, with the addition’s façade pulled back from the rest of the original building. The preservation of expansive landscaped areas around the property creates seclusion and offers a respite from the bustle of Buckhead.

Excellence in Rehabilitation Awards recognize projects that make compatible use of a building through repair, alterations or additions while preserving features of the property that convey its historic value.

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After many uses and tenants over the past century, these adjoining buildings on Poplar Street underwent a total rehabilitation and now function as a single office for Smith Dalia Architects. The goal of the rehabilitation was to remove years of unsympathetic alterations and to allow the historic character of the buildings to shine. On the exterior, historic portions of the commercial storefront were retained, repaired, and repainted. Much of the historic fabric on the interior had been lost over the years, so the rehabilitation removed most non-historic construction and highlighted the previously exposed masonry walls, including painted advertisements on a formerly exterior face of the adjacent building. The street-level storefronts provide a direct physical and visual connection between interior activities and passersby, allowing the historic relationship between the building and community to continue.

Excellence in Rehabilitation Awards recognize projects that make compatible use of a building through repair, alterations or additions while preserving features of the property that convey its historic value.

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This former gas station’s exterior, featuring its sleek Streamline Moderne design and creative use of glass and vertical light tower, highlight Amoco’s branded architectural style. The station’s ownership varied over three decades, after which it sat vacant for another 30 years. The site was viewed as a teardown, but despite skepticism from banks, realtors and appraisers, the new owner saw an opportunity for smart reuse. The roof was stabilized and environmental hazards were cleared, while defining characteristics underwent minimal to no change. Missing features were restored with historically accurate replacements. The building now serves as a live/work office space and apartment. With support from the community, this rehabilitation project has been a catalyst for redevelopment in what was—for many—an abandoned, drive-by part of Brunswick’s Downtown Historic District.
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Excellence in Rehabilitation Awards recognize projects that make compatible use of a building through repair, alterations or additions while preserving features of the property that convey its historic value.

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